27th July 2010
Candidate for post of Care Quality Commission chair announced
Following an independent recruitment exercise conducted by the Appointments Commission, Dame Jo Williams has emerged as the Government’s candidate for the post of Chair of the Care Quality Commission.
The Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley has invited the Health Select Committee to hold a public pre-appointment scrutiny hearing and report on the candidate’s suitability for the post, in line with proposals for scrutiny of key positions in which Parliament has an interest.
After a hearing, the Committee will set out its views on the candidate’s suitability for this post. The Secretary of State will then consider the conclusions of the Committee’s report carefully before deciding whether or not to proceed with the appointment.
Dame Jo Williams is currently the interim Chair of the Care Quality Commission, a post she has held since the resignation of Baroness Barbara Young in January.
Contacts
NDS Enquiries
Phone: For enquiries please contact the Department of Health (DH) Media Centre on 020 7210 5221
Email: ndsenquiries@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Notes to editors
1. The Care Quality Commission is the independent regulator of health and adult social care services in England and also protects the interests of people detained under the Mental Health Act. Whether services are provided by the NHS, local authorities or by independent sector organisations, the CQC provides a consistent level of assurance that the care people receive is safe and of good quality.
2. Dame Jo Williams is currently the Interim Chair of the Care Quality Commission and Chair of the Prison Reform Trust. She has also from today been appointed to the new Commission on the Funding of Care and Support. From 1992 to 1997 she was Director of Social Services at Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council, from 1997 to 2002 she was Director of Social Services at Cheshire County Council and from 2003 to 2008 she was Chief Executive of the Royal Mencap Society. In 2009 she was appointed as a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire County Council.
3. The recruitment process conducted by the Appointments Commission is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and, in accordance with the Commissioner’s code, involved an Independent Assessor at all stages, including the interview panel.
4. The Government is committed to strengthening the powers of Select Committees to scrutinise major public appointments. Further announcements on this will be made in due course.
(Source – News Distribution Service for Government and the Public Sector)