The founder of Oak National Academy will lead a new “delivery unit” for the Department of Health and Social Care tasked with cutting hospital wait times and improving access to GPs.

Matt Hood has been appointed a senior adviser to health secretary Wes Streeting, Schools Week can reveal.

He will lead a new ‘delivery unit’ at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), tasked with “tracking and challenging” delivery of key targets such as bringing down hospital waiting times and improving access to GPs.

A previous job advert for a director role of the delivery unit described it as bringing a “bring a laser-like focus on delivering the reform needed to drive improvement generally across health and care and specifically on the three things that surveys show matter most to the public”.

It said the small team will include a mix of internal and external recruits, including those with knowledge of the health system but also “expertise on delivering strategic and cultural change and policy development and delivery”.

Hood has been appointed as a direct ministerial appointment – meaning his role will sit within the secretary of state’s office.

DHSC said today Streeting as “made clear his plan for delivery during a period of reform and transformation of the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England.

“Matt will work with the department’s Delivery Unit to help ensure that the Government and Department deliver on its commitments, coordinate across the health and care system and provide advice on emerging challenges.”

Hood was approached for comment. He started the role, which is paid, last month.