In the wake of recent high-profile criticisms of the CQC’s performance as the regulatory authority for both health and social care, and following several high profile resignations by those at its helm, it seems that the process of reform and restructuring at the CQC is underway.
Andrea Sutcliffe, the Chief Executive of the social care institute for excellence (SCIE), has been enticed away from that position to become the CQC’s first new Chief Inspector for Adult Social Care. She joined SCIE in April 2012 from the Appointments Commission where she had been Chief Executive from 2007. Andrea has nearly 30 years experience in health and social care, managing a range of services including those for children and for older people. Andrea was also an executive director at the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for seven years.
The SCIE issued its own statement on its CE’s departure. The CQC also issued a statement – which includes the following:
“The Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care will lead CQC’s inspection and regulation of adult social care. Andrea will be responsible for developing the new approach to the way CQC regulates social care, in consultation with people who use and provide services. She will oversee the development of a new rating system for social care providers, championing the interests of people using services and making critical judgements about the quality of care provided. CQC Chief Executive David Behan said: ‘Andrea is the ideal person to lead the work on ensuring social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate high quality care.'”