Health secretary Andrew Lansley today confirmed the appointment of Dame Jo Williams as chair of the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The announcement follows an independent recruitment exercise by the Appointments Commission followed by a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing by the Health Select Committee, which subsequently endorsed Dame Jo Williams as a candidate for the post.
The CQC is the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England.
Dame Jo Williams has been the acting Chair of the CQC since February 2010.
Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley said:’I am pleased to confirm the appointment of Dame Jo Williams as chair of the Care Quality Commission.
‘As the acting chair for the last eight months, she has already demonstrated the leadership needed in steering the CQC through its final stages of bringing NHS trusts into the full registration system, and transforming the new registration system for independent healthcare and adult social care providers.’
Dame Jo Williams said: ‘I am delighted to be appointed chair of CQC – but I don’t underestimate the challenges that lie ahead. The Commission will perform a vital role as the landscape of the NHS and social care changes and the financial situation becomes more difficult.
‘As we roll out the new regulatory system to all health and social care providers, it has never been more important for us to capture the views and experiences of people who use services to help inform our judgements. This is something that I feel passionate about.
‘CQC will continue to drive improvement to ensure everyone has access to safe, quality services across the country, and I am thrilled to be a part of this.’
The appointment is for a term of four years.
Dame Jo Williams will be remunerated at an annual rate of £60,000 for a time commitment of three days per week.
