‘Not fit for purpose’ Regulator Gets New CEO
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- Published: Monday, 14 October 2024 10:37
- Written by Peter Ingle
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Former CQC boss Ian Trenholm made a sudden exit in June, with the announcement made only days before his actual departure. There was a distinct lack of appreciation expressed for his time in office.
Social care consultant Sarah Duffy commented that: “Ian is leaving swiftly but after a very turbulent time for the regulator, his departure has felt like a long time coming. It’s telling that Ian’s resignation statement doesn’t contain any apology, either for the wider (adult social care) sector or to CQC staff, despite the well-publicised issues under his leadership.”
Trenholm’s departure came after a CQC staff survey earlier in 2024 found just 27% of employees felt the “values and behaviours” of the chief executive and executive team matched those of the organisation, down from 55% three years ago. Since then Kate Terroni, the organisations former deputy chief executive has been interim CEO. Now, Sir Julian Hartley, current chief executive of NHS Providers (NHSP), has been confirmed as the new CEO of the under-fire regulator.
The former Leeds Teaching Hospitals chief, whose start date is not yet confirmed, had emerged as a frontrunner for the CQC post. Sir Julian will now be leaving NHSP, which he joined in February 2023.
Sir Julian said: “It is vitally important for NHS trusts, foundation trusts and the wider health and care sector to have effective regulation to support improvement and safe care for patients. This move will give me an opportunity to really focus on that goal.”
The recruitment process followed heavy criticism of the regulator in a scathing interim report into its performance by North West London Integrated Care Board chair Penny Dash. Published in July, Ms Dash’s government-commissioned report criticised a “noticeable lack” of healthcare experience at senior level. She said the current executive team was largely drawn from the social care sector.
It also warned the CQC’s credibility was being harmed by a loss of relationships between the regulator and regulated providers, particularly in the NHS. Ms Dash’s final report will be published soon.
Sir Julian had previously said the CQC needed “urgent reform” and had spoken out about its use of single-word ratings for inspections.
He led Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust for 10 years from 2013, a period when it progressed from a series of quality, governance and financial problems, to become a well-respected provider. In summer 2024, he was revealed as the last decade’s most respected trust chief executive, following an analysis of the Health Service Journal (HSJ) annual Top 50 chief executives ranking.
The HSJ quoted an internal CQC announcement by Health and social care secretary Wes Streeting: “Sir Julian’s experience of turning round large, complex health organisations will be vital as CQC seeks to urgently improve and win back public trust.
“Dr Penny Dash’s interim report highlighted serious failings in the regulator, forcing me to conclude it is no longer fit for purpose. Once published, I will consider Dr Dash’s final report closely and set out further action this government will take.
“But I was determined to see action taken now to begin to turn CQC around. I’m confident that Julian will provide the leadership CQC staff need to address this crisis, improve patient safety, and restore confidence in the regulator.”
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