DoH director general to take over CQC

8 Jun 12
David Behan has been appointed chief executive of the Care Quality Commission.

By Vivienne Russell | 8 June 2012

David Behan has been appointed chief executive of the Care Quality Commission.

Behan, currently director general for social care, local government and care partnerships at the Department of Health, replaces Cynthia Bower who in February announced that she was resigning from the CQC.

Behan has a social care background. He was chief inspector at the now defunct Commission for Social Care Inspection, and prior to that director of social services at Greenwich, Middlesbrough and Cleveland councils. He has also served as president of the Association of Directors of Social Services.

Commenting on his appointment, Behan said: ‘I am greatly looking forward to my next challenge of working with the CQC board, staff and stakeholders. I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to lead the organisation that takes action where services are poor and unsafe, whilst providing assurance that our health and care services are fit to achieve quality and outcomes for people which are amongst the best in the world.’

CQC chair Dame Jo Williams said the quality of applicants for the chief executive post was ‘exceptionally strong’, but Behan’s combination of frontline and regulatory experience made him an outstanding candidate.

She added: ‘His clarity of vision and strong track record on delivery will be crucial to driving forward the next stage of CQC’s development – as we continue to build on the progress already made, delivering increasing benefits to the health and social care system through our essential role in tackling poor care. I and my board very much look forward to working with him.’

Aspects of the CQC’s performance were criticised in a Department of Health performance review, published in February. This said the watchdog had not always remained focused on its core purpose and had been afflicted by operational and strategic difficulties.

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