Leadership Transition at the CQC: Sir Julian Hartley Positioned to Lead Reforms Amidst Calls for Urgent Change
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is at a crossroads, with NHS Providers’ chief executive Sir Julian Hartley leading the shortlist to become the next head of the regulator. This follows a turbulent period, during which former CEO Ian Trenholm departed suddenly in June, and an interim report by Penny Dash criticised the CQC’s senior leadership team for lacking healthcare expertise. Dash’s findings have underscored the need for urgent reform, particularly in strengthening relationships with NHS providers.
Sir Julian Hartley, who led Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust for a decade, is widely seen as the right candidate to steer the CQC through this challenging time. His tenure at Leeds is marked by a successful turnaround of the Trust’s performance, and he has been vocal about the need for reform within the CQC, specifically regarding its use of single-word ratings for inspections. Hartley believes that a more comprehensive approach to assessing healthcare services is necessary to capture the complexities of modern healthcare.
In addition to the leadership shift, the CQC is investing in its communication efforts, recruiting five new roles aimed at promoting the organisation’s “recovery.” These positions are designed to help the CQC rebuild trust with both the public and healthcare providers. According to recent job advertisements, the campaign will focus on listening better, improving collaboration, and being transparent about past shortcomings.
This leadership transition comes at a time when the CQC is facing heightened scrutiny, with Penny Dash’s final report due in mid-October. The report is expected to delve deeper into the structural issues that have plagued the regulator and offer recommendations for a path forward.
As Sir Julian Hartley prepares for the possibility of leading the CQC, stakeholders across the healthcare sector are hopeful that his experience and vision will bring about much-needed changes to the organisation. With the upcoming report and ongoing recruitment drive, the CQC is clearly preparing for a period of transformation.