This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/23/nhs-watchdog-cynthia-bower-resigns

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
NHS watchdog chief Cynthia Bower resigns NHS watchdog chief Cynthia Bower resigns
(40 minutes later)
The boss of the NHS regulator for England, who has been the subject of mounting criticism over the watchdog's failure to adequately police hospitals and care homes, has resigned.The boss of the NHS regulator for England, who has been the subject of mounting criticism over the watchdog's failure to adequately police hospitals and care homes, has resigned.
Cynthia Bower announced on Thursday that she was resigning from her £195,000-a-year role as chief executive of the Care Quality Commission, which she has held since 2008.Cynthia Bower announced on Thursday that she was resigning from her £195,000-a-year role as chief executive of the Care Quality Commission, which she has held since 2008.
Although she insisted it was "time to move on" after four years helping set up and lead the regulator, it comes after growing public and private pressure for her to quit.Although she insisted it was "time to move on" after four years helping set up and lead the regulator, it comes after growing public and private pressure for her to quit.
When the CQC started up in April 2009 Andrew Lansley, the then shadow health secretary, questioned the appointment of Bower, given concern that in her previous role as chief executive of the NHS's West Midlands strategic health authority she had failed to properly investigate the scandal at Stafford hospital, where hundreds of patients died due to appalling care.When the CQC started up in April 2009 Andrew Lansley, the then shadow health secretary, questioned the appointment of Bower, given concern that in her previous role as chief executive of the NHS's West Midlands strategic health authority she had failed to properly investigate the scandal at Stafford hospital, where hundreds of patients died due to appalling care.
In recent months the Commons health select committee and the National Audit Office have issued highly critical reports about the CQC. They were prompted in part by serious concerns raised by key organisations in the health and social care fields, such as the unions representing NHS staff, the NHS Confederation, which speaks for hospitals, and campaign groups such as Action on Elder Abuse and Action against Medical Accidents.In recent months the Commons health select committee and the National Audit Office have issued highly critical reports about the CQC. They were prompted in part by serious concerns raised by key organisations in the health and social care fields, such as the unions representing NHS staff, the NHS Confederation, which speaks for hospitals, and campaign groups such as Action on Elder Abuse and Action against Medical Accidents.
It has been criticised for adopting a "light-touch" regulatory regime, despite evidence of poor standards of care in some NHS hospitals, particularly of older patients, and whistleblowers' claims that the CQC has a bullying culture, low morale and a lack of strategic direction.It has been criticised for adopting a "light-touch" regulatory regime, despite evidence of poor standards of care in some NHS hospitals, particularly of older patients, and whistleblowers' claims that the CQC has a bullying culture, low morale and a lack of strategic direction.
"After almost four years leading CQC, I feel that it is now time to move on," Bower said. "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 the service," said Bower."After almost four years leading CQC, I feel that it is now time to move on," Bower said. "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 the service," said Bower.
She welcomed the publication on Thursday of the findings of an unprecedented performance and capability review of the CQC by the Department of Health's permanent secretary, Una O'Brien.She welcomed the publication on Thursday of the findings of an unprecedented performance and capability review of the CQC by the Department of Health's permanent secretary, Una O'Brien.
Bower said it "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."Bower said it "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."
Bower would stay in her post until this autumn as part of "an orderly transition", sources said. But her eventual departure may coincide with a government shake-up of NHS regulation after the publication, expected in early summer, of the result of a public inquiry into how NHS regulatory failure let the Stafford scandal happen.Bower would stay in her post until this autumn as part of "an orderly transition", sources said. But her eventual departure may coincide with a government shake-up of NHS regulation after the publication, expected in early summer, of the result of a public inquiry into how NHS regulatory failure let the Stafford scandal happen.
The chair of 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. The chair of CQC, Dame 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.""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."
The NHS's chief executive, Sir David Nicholson, thanked Bower for her commitment to the job: "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."The NHS's chief executive, Sir David Nicholson, thanked Bower for her commitment to the job: "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."
said Bower had "provided energetic leadership to the CQC from its very outset". O'Brien said Bower had "provided energetic leadership to the CQC from its very outset".