Hartley steps down as chief executive of the CQC

Sir Julian Hartley has stepped down as chief executive of the CQC less than a year after taking up the role.

Hartley, who took over from interim CEO Kate Terroni last December, said it had been an ‘incredibly difficult decision’ but that his role as CEO of the regulator had become ‘incompatible with the important conversations happening about care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’.

Hartley was CEO of the Trust between 2013 and 2023 and was credited with making significant improvements during his tenure. In an HSJ poll, he was named as one of the most respected NHS CEOs of the decade.

However, earlier this week Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced and independent inquiry into ‘repeated’ failures at the Trust’s maternity unit after a BBC investigation found that the deaths of 56 babies and two mothers over the past five years may have been prevented.

‘I am so sorry for the fact that some families suffered harm and loss during this time,’ said Hartley. ‘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.’

The CQC was dubbed ‘not fit for purpose’ last year after Dr Penny Dash’s wide-ranging review identified major operational failings at the regulator prior to Hartley’s tenure.

Hartley said he was ‘hugely proud’ of what had been achieved since he joined the CQC at the end of last year. He said the progress made so far had helped reshape the regulator’s 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,’ he said. ‘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.’

Chief inspector of mental health Dr Arun Chopra will assume the role of interim chief executive until a permanent successor is appointed.

CQC chair Professor Sir Mike Richards described Hartley’s departure as a ‘huge loss’, but said he was ‘grateful to him for making this unselfish decision in recognition of the need for the regulator to be visibly held to the highest standards’.

‘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,’ added Richards. ‘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.’