The CQC has appointed Sir Julian Hartley as its new chief executive as part of an overhaul of the regulator.
The changes come in response to an interim report into the effectiveness of the CQC from Dr Penny Dash, which found that there was a ‘lack of consistency’ and transparency in CQC ratings.
The findings led health secretary Wes Streeting to take ‘immediate steps’ to increase oversight, declaring that the organisation is ‘not fit for purpose’.
The CQC has outlined the ‘immediate changes’ it has taken in light of this interim report, including recruiting a new chief executive and appointing three chief inspectors to strengthen its leadership across the health and care sectors.
It is also running a pilot project to look at a better way of managing its relationships with providers. This has already begun in trusts, but will expand to involve groups from each sector, it said.
Sir Julian joins from NHS Providers, where he has been chief executive since February 2023 and prior to that, chief executive at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. Though his start date is yet to be confirmed.
Ian Dilks, chair of CQC, said: iI am very happy that CQC will make such a strong appointment to the role of chief executive. Sir Julian was chosen from an outstanding field for his significant leadership experience and his experience of contributing to developments in the wider health and social care landscapes.
‘Sir Julian is an experienced and highly respected chief executive with a track record of leading organisations through challenging times, balancing the need to both improve short term performance and evolve strategy alongside a passionate commitment to improving people’s care. He has a background in health but also has experience in and believes in the crucial importance of adult social care.’
He added that CQC has ‘much work to do’ to rebuild trust, but he is confident Sir Julian will be able to ‘lead the organisation through the challenges ahead and help to ensure that we make the right changes to become the strong effective regulator that people who use and work in health and social care services need and deserve’.
Sir Julian Hartley said: ‘I am delighted to be joining CQC at a time when effective regulation which supports improvement across the health and care sector and good, safe care for people who use services has never been more important.
‘I have spent my career in the NHS and I will do my utmost to bring all I have learned to serve people who use services and to work with CQC staff and with providers to deliver high quality regulation which drives improvement across the health and care system.’
Health secretary Wes Streeting added: ‘Sir Julian’s experience of turning round large, complex health organisations will be vital as the 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 the CQC around.
‘I’m confident that Julian will provide the leadership staff in the CQC need to address this crisis, improve patient safety, and restore confidence in the regulator.’
Former chief executive, Ian Trenholm, stepped down at the end of June.
