MPs Endorse Government’s Pick for New CQC Chair

The Health and Social Care Committee has endorsed the government’s intention to hire Baroness Julia Neuberger as Chair of the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

MPs have published a report outlining the reasons for their endorsement, which follows a pre-appointment hearing with Baroness Neuberger on Wednesday 9 September.

She was questioned on her experience and suitability for the role, and how she would help the CQC, which inspects and regulates health and social care services, regain credibility and trust among patients and professionals.

The Committee’s conclusions can be found in paragraphs nine and 10 of the report.

Pre-appointment hearings are held by select committees for certain public appointments before the appointment is formally made. They are usually followed by a report that either endorses or raises concerns about the appointment. Committees do not have the authority to stop a candidate from being offered a post by the Secretary of State.

Baroness Neuberger currently serves as Chair of Whittington Health NHS Trust and Joint Chair of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; she will leave these toles on 30 September.

The role of CQC Chair would entail working two to three days a week with a salary of £63,000.