Cynthia Bower was given 'an almost impossible task', says leading body for care homes

Cynthia Bower, who has resigned from her post as chief executive of the Care Quality Commission was given 'an almost impossible task', says the English Community Care Association.

Martin Green, chief executive of the English Community Care Association (ECCA), which represents over 3,500 care homes, said: 'I hope that the appointment of a new chief executive at CQC (Care Quality Commission) will mark an end to the mistakes of the past and a new era and vision for regulation will be developed.'

He added: 'In welcoming this new start I want to acknowledge the contribution of Cynthia Bower who was given an almost impossible task.'

Her contribution to the work of the CQC was not so warmly welcomed by Action on Elder Abuse, the leading charity campaigning on adult safeguarding.

Gary FitzGerald, chief executive of Action on Elder Abuse called it 'good news' that Ms Bower has 'fallen on her sword' and stepped down.

'After the shambles she has presided over within this key regulator this is the right step. But it is not enough,' he said.

He also called on others at the CQC to take responsibility and said: ‘There are others who collaborated in the atrocious strategies adopted by this regulator and who cannot claim immunity from responsibility. We need a fresh start with the Board of CQC and that can only mean a thorough 'spring clean'.

‘To regain pubic confidence and give staff within CQC a sense of real change, the chair and other members of the Board should also consider their positions. We need new blood and a revitalised organisation and that cannot easily happen when current members are so compromised in the minds of the public.’

Cynthia Bower, chief executive of the health and social care regulator Care Quality Commission announced her resignation on Thursday. 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 publishec the Performance and Capability review of the CQC, (Care Quality Commission) which acknowledgec that the CQC hac 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 spoke of her regret at Ms Bower's resignation and said: ‘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, thanked Cynthia for her commitment as CQC chief executive and said: '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, referred to Ms Bower's 'energetic leadership to the CQC from its very outset' and said she 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 reisgnation: ‘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