I think he did, yes. It does create a problem when actresses want to move on, unless you want a lot of dead companions!

It is interesting, in a way, given that Rose and Donna, (and to a lesser extent Amy) are all portrayed as women with potential that is being concealed by circumstances that the narrative doesn't choose to place the Doctor in more of a mentor role of enabling them to reach their potential and then letting them carry on alone - this was very much the route the New Adventures finally settled on for Ace.

Of course, that suggests that one can and should outgrow your time with the Doctor which, as massive fans of the show, may be a metaphor that Moffat and Davies are uncomfortable with.