Cynthia Bower resigns as chief executive of CQC

Cynthia Bower, chief executive of the health and social care regulator, Care Quality Commission, has announced her resignation. She has agreed to remain in the position full time until the autumn and the recruitment process for her successor will begin shortly.

Her resignation came on the day that the Department of Health published the Performance and Capability review of the CQC, (Care Quality Commission) which acknowledges that the CQC has made considerable achievements since it was established in 2009, but that more could have been done during the early years of the organisation’s operation and that there should have been more clarity for health and care providers, patients and the public.

On her resignation, Ms Bower said: ‘After almost four years leading CQC, I feel that it is now time to move on. The process of setting up an entirely new system of regulation has been intensely challenging - but we have accomplished an enormous amount. We have merged three organisations, registered 40,000 provider locations and brought virtually the entire health and social care network under one set of standards, which focus on the needs of people who use services.'

‘I am pleased that the Department of Health Performance and Capability review, published today, recognises the scale of what has been achieved - and in particular the significant improvements made over the last nine months. I’m confident that CQC will continue to build on the progress already made, delivering increasing benefits to people who use services by shining a light on poor care - and I am proud to have played a part in this.’

Chair of the CQC, Jo Williams said: ‘I am very sorry that Cynthia has decided to move on, but I understand her desire to take on new challenges. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for the enormous contribution she has made to the setting up and running of CQC. She has shown tireless commitment to this organisation, and she leaves it in a strong position to carry out our essential role in tackling poor care. This is confirmed by today’s Performance Review from the Department of Health, which recognises CQC’s 'considerable achievements' in setting the essential platform from which tougher regulatory action can be taken.’

Sir David Nicholson, NHS chief executive, said: ‘I would like to thank Cynthia for her commitment as CQC chief executive. Building a new regulator involves great vision, leadership and resilience. This is always a complex task and one under constant scrutiny. It is great credit to Cynthia’s leadership to have achieved this.’

Una O’Brien, permanent secretary of the Department of Health, called Ms Bower a 'committed public servant' and added: ‘Cynthia has provided energetic leadership to the CQC from its very outset. Over her four years as chief executive, CQC has introduced - for the first time - a new model of regulation for health and social care.'

Mike Padgham, chair of United Kingdom Homecare Association also commented on Cynthia Bower's resignation: ‘We wish Cynthia well for her future plans.

‘After a particularly difficult start, CQC has begun to move in the right direction. We hope progress will be sustained, as there is much more to do. The search for a new chief executive gives the Commission an opportunity to refocus its activities with the sectors it regulates and to ensure that social care is well represented in CQC’s future engagement.'

‘We look forward to progressing the constructive relationship with the Commission over coming months.'

Cynthia Bower is pictured above