The head of the Care Quality Commission has resigned over the maternity investigation into the NHS trust he led Care Quality Commission (CQC)
The chief executive of the Care Quality Commission has resigned after announcing an independent investigation into maternity failings in the NHS which he led for a decade.
Sir Julian Hartley said remaining in his current role was “inconsistent” with the investigation into Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTH), which he led for 10 years until 2023, and said it could “undermine confidence in the regulator”.
He said in a statement: “This has been an extremely difficult decision. However, I feel that my current role as chief executive of the CQC has become out of sync with the important conversations happening around care at LTH, including during the time I was chief executive there.”
“I am very sorry for the fact that some families have experienced hurt and loss during this time.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Monday announced a “Nottingham-style independent inquiry” into maternity and newborn services in Leeds after a campaign by parents, who said Hartley had questions to answer about what he knew as chief executive of the trust.
Hartley, who took over as chief executive of the CQC, which regulates health and social care services in England, in December 2024, has been working to improve confidence in the CQC after Streeting declared it “not fit for purpose” last year.
Streeting said the healthcare regulator was so poorly run that patients in England could not trust the safety assessments it issued for hospitals, care homes or GP surgeries.
Sir Mike Richards, chair of the CQC, said Sir Julian’s departure was a “huge loss” to the organisation.
He said: “I understand his concerns that his previous role in the Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust may undermine confidence in the CQC’s regulation.” “I am grateful to him for making this selfless decision in recognition of the need for the regulator to clearly hold itself to the highest standards.”
Hartley said: “I will provide all the support I can to the inquiry into maternity services in Leeds, so that families get the transparency and answers they need and deserve – and I want to avoid being associated with trust affecting the CQC’s work to rebuild people’s trust in the regulator.”
Dr Arun Chopra, chief inspector of mental health, will act as interim chief executive until a permanent replacement is found, the CQC said.