A long delayed elective recovery plan is expected to be published before that, setting out how to tackle record backlogs.

Patients could be offered the chance to travel further for operations, to bring down their waiting time, while the system of outpatients appointments is likely to be radically overhauled.

NHS officials say too much time is being wasted on needless follow-up appointments, and say that instead, patients should be given direct access to hospital teams, so they can request checks when they are needed.

Meddings personally impressed Health Secretary

Mr Meddings is said to have personally impressed the Health Secretary during the selection process. Mr Javid was himself a banker for 18 years before coming into politics in 2009, working at Deutsche bank — where Mr Meddings was non executive director from 2015 to 2019.

Health officials said that Mr Meddings would be “focusing on the health service’s recovery from the pandemic and expanding its workforce,” having “led change and reform at the highest levels” throughout his career.

Mr Meddings was confirmed as the Government’s preferred candidate in December.

The Health Secretary has taken the final decision following a hearing with the Health and Social Care Committee earlier this week.

The four-year role carries an annual salary of £63,000, which Mr Meddings intends to donate to charity. He will replace the current chair Lord Prior, who has been in post since October 2018.

Mr Javid said on Friday: “I am delighted to confirm Richard Meddings CBE’s appointment as the new Chair of NHS England, I want to thank Lord Prior for his invaluable contribution over the last few years.

“Richard brings to the role a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors, including years of management in the financial services industry.

“I look forward to working with him as we support the NHS to recover from Covid-19, tackle the backlog, and back our incredible healthcare staff.”

Mr Meddings said: “It is a great honour to have been appointed as Chair of NHS England.

“It is clear that there are a number of significant and long running challenges to address, many of which have been made sharper by the consequences of the covid pandemic, but as I commence the role I am humbled by and pay a huge tribute to the people of the NHS for their heroic work and their continuing commitment.”