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Cynthia Bower omitted from report into Cumbrian hospital baby deaths Cynthia Bower omitted from report into Cumbrian hospital baby deaths
(about 5 hours later)
One name missing from Wednesday's report into the suspected cover-up at the Care Quality Commission over babies' deaths in Cumbrian hospitals is its former boss. Cynthia Bower was in charge when, in the words of the new chair of regulator, the "fish was rotting from the head". One name missing from Wednesday's report into the suspected cover-up at the Care Quality Commission over babies' deaths in Cumbrian hospitals is its former boss. Cynthia Bower was in charge when, in the words of the new chair of the regulator, the "fish was rotting from the head".
Bower announced her resignation as chief executive of the CQC in February 2012 after a department of health report was critical of the organisation she oversaw. She left with a £1.35m pension last September after four and a half years in charge of the quango on a £204,000 salary. Bower announced her resignation as chief executive of the Care Quality Commission in February 2012, after a Department of Health report was critical of the organisation she oversaw. She left with a £1.35m pension pot last September after four-and-a-half years in charge of the quango on a salary of £204,000.
Crucially Bower was in post during the period considered by the investigation released on Wednesday. In April 2010 University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMB) NHS Trust had been granted foundation trust status, partly based on the assurances the CQC had provided about the trust's maternity services. That the regulator might have deliberately suppressed an internal review in March 2012 which highlighted weaknesses in its inspections of UHMB in relation to 12 serious untoward incidents is damning. Crucially, Bower was in post during the period considered by the investigation, whose report was released on Wednesday. In April 2010 University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay (UHMB) NHS Trust had been granted foundation trust status, partly based on the assurances the Care Quality Commission had provided about the trust's maternity services. That the regulator might have deliberately suppressed an internal review in March 2012, which highlighted weaknesses in its inspections of UHMB in relation to 12 serious untoward incidents, is damning.
Since the names have been redacted we cannot be sure who uttered the words "are you kidding me? This can never be in a public domain nor subject to FoI [a Freedom of Information request]!". Or who in the organisation realised that events in Cumbria sound "just like Mid Staffs to me", a reference to a hospital trust which appeared to record hundreds of excess deaths and where patients suffered appalling care. Since the names have been redacted we cannot be sure who uttered the words: "Are you kidding me? This can never be in a public domain nor subject to FoI [Freedom of Information request]". Or who in the organisation realised that events in Cumbria sounded "just like Mid Staffs to me", a reference to a hospital trust that appeared to record hundreds of excess deaths and where patients suffered appalling care.
In evidence to the Francis inquiry there had been claims Bower "did not wish to criticise organisations" she had previously led herself. She was formerly chief executive of the NHS West Midlands' strategic health authority, where she was responsible for supervising the performance of Stafford hospital. She later said that Stafford "wasn't on my radar". In evidence to the Francis inquiry, there had been claims that Bower "did not wish to criticise organisations" she had previously led. She was formerly chief executive of the NHS West Midlands' strategic health authority, where she was responsible for supervising the performance of Stafford hospital. She later said that Stafford "wasn't on my radar".
However there had always been suspicions that the regulator was not fit for purpose. However, there had always been suspicions that the regulator was not fit for purpose.
Questions about the CQC emerged in 2009 when its chair – Lady Barbara Young – unexpectedly quit, days after it was heavily criticised over how it monitored the quality of patient care in Basildon hospital. Four years later on Basildon hospital is still being investigated for high death rates. Questions about the Care Quality Commission emerged in 2009 when its chair, Lady Barbara Young, unexpectedly quit, days after it was heavily criticised over how it monitored the quality of patient care in Basildon hospital, Essex. Four years later, Basildon hospital is still being investigated for high death rates.