Sir Julian Hartley has resigned as chief executive of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), days after an independent investigation was launched into maternity care at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Having led the trust for a decade, Sir Julian said his continued role at the CQC was “incompatible” with the discussions surrounding the inquiry. His departure follows pressure from families affected by substandard maternity care who had called for him to step down.
The inquiry, ordered by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, will look into repeated failings at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’ University Hospital. Mr Streeting said the investigation aimed to uncover what had “gone so catastrophically wrong” and stressed the need to rebuild public confidence in the regulator.
Families affected by poor care, including Amarjit Kaur and Mandip Singh Matharoo, whose daughter Asees was stillborn in January 2024, welcomed the resignation, questioning how Sir Julian’s appointment had been approved given his history at Leeds. Whistleblowers also expressed relief, citing years of unsafe conditions under his leadership.
In his statement, Sir Julian apologised to families who suffered harm and pledged full cooperation with the inquiry. CQC chair Professor Sir Mike Richards acknowledged the resignation as a significant loss but agreed it was necessary to maintain public trust. The Leeds probe becomes the fifth major investigation into maternity failings at an NHS trust since 2013.
