Sir Hartley is stepping down as Chief
Executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) with immediate
effect. Dr Arun Chopra, Chief Inspector of Mental Health, is
planned to assume the role of Interim Chief Executive until a
permanent successor is appointed.
Sir said:
“This has been an incredibly difficult decision. However, I
feel that my current role as Chief Executive of CQC has become
incompatible with the important conversations happening about
care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, including during the
time I was Chief Executive there. I am so sorry for the fact that
some families suffered harm and loss during this time.
“I will be giving whatever support I can to the inquiry into
maternity services at Leeds, so families get the transparency and
answers that they need and deserve – and I want to avoid
my connection with the Trust impacting on CQC's work to rebuild
people's confidence in the regulator.
“I am hugely proud of what has been achieved since I joined
CQC at the end of last year and of the progress we have made in
reshaping our culture to become an organisation that listens
better to people, to providers and to our own staff – and acts on
what we hear. I leave grateful for the part I was able to play
and confident that the better approach being built will be owned,
and informed, by colleagues, providers and stakeholders with a
shared vision.
“I know that the four outstanding Chief Inspectors appointed
to lead on our specialist regulation, alongside our compassionate
and dedicated staff, will ensure that we continue on our journey
to being a strong effective regulator that people can trust to
improve health and social care. I will miss being a part of the
journey, but I believe the decision I have made is the right one
to help CQC reach that destination.”
Professor Sir Mike Richards, Chair of CQC, said:
“While Sir Julian's departure will be a huge loss to CQC, I
understand his concerns that his previous role at Leeds Teaching
Hospital NHS Trust may undermine trust and confidence in CQC's
regulation. I am grateful to him for making this unselfish
decision in recognition of the need for the regulator to be
visibly held to the highest standards.
“Sir can be proud of all he has achieved
at CQC in his time here. Since joining in December of last year,
he has refocused the organisation on its purpose to protect
people and improve the quality of care and re-energised our staff
to deliver that purpose.
“Under his leadership, we have recently launched a public
consultation on plans to improve how we assess health
and care services, make judgements, and award ratings to help
ensure that people get high quality, safe care. And his
appointment of four exceptional Chief Inspectors to lead
on regulation and improvement across mental health, hospitals,
primary and community care, and adult social care and integrated
care marked a crucial and much-needed realignment of the
organisation around sector expertise.
“He leaves the organisation in a stronger position than when
he joined it but his inclusive and thoughtful leadership style
will be much missed, not only by his colleagues but by those he
worked with right across health and social care.”
Recruitment for Sir Julian's successor will begin shortly.
Dr Arun Chopra was appointed as CQC's Chief
Inspector of Mental Health inMarch 2025.
Notes to editors
Sir will not be awarded any payment
outside his contractual notice period upon departure from CQC.
