22.06.17
Ted Baker to take over as chief inspector at CQC
The CQC has this week announced that Professor Ted Baker will succeed Sir Mike Richards as its new chief inspector of hospitals at the end of July.
Prof Baker has served as deputy chief inspector of hospitals since January 2014, when he joined the regulator to support the development and implementation of a new approach to hospital inspection which assessed services on being safe, caring, effective, responsive and well led.
Prior to joining the CQC, he had also been in clinical practice for 35 year, as medical director and deputy chief executive of Oxford University Hospitals NHS trust from 2010 to 2014, and had also been a medical director at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS FT from 2003 to 2010.
He also chaired the first of the new CQC comprehensive inspections in September 2013, leading his Oxford trust through the first inspection.
“Every day of my career in the NHS I have seen dedicated, committed staff providing excellent care for patients and service users,” Prof Baker said. “Our recent inspections have shown that even in undoubtedly challenging times, staff are making impressive improvements in the quality and safety of the care they deliver.
“As chief inspector of hospitals I want to work with providers and other partners to build an environment where they can continue to drive improvements and make our healthcare system as good as it can possibly be.
“I do not underestimate the problems the system faces, but I have great confidence that the staff have all the qualities we need to overcome them.”
The CQC’s chief executive, David Behan, stated that Prof Baker brought an “invaluable” track record of professional and clinical leadership as well as a wealth of experience from serving as deputy chief inspector.
“I look forward to working closely with him as we continue to make sure health and social care services provide people with safe, effective, compassionate, high-quality care and we encourage care services to improve,” he said.
“I am incredibly grateful to Mike for his work and dedication in developing and leading an inspection programme that has provided a more complete picture than ever before of the quality of hospitals care.
“We are now able to use that knowledge to evolve our approach and help drive further improvement, while adapting to changes in the way services are being provided. I have every confidence in Ted’s ability to take this work forward.”
Outgoing chief inspector Sir Mike, who will retire at the end of July this year, also congratulated Prof Baker on his new position and gave him his full backing for the years ahead.
“I am pleased to be handing the baton over to him next month and am certain of his ability to lead the next phase of hospital regulation, helping providers to drive improvement and ensuring that people receive good, safe care,” he commented.