The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has appointed a new Chief Inspector of Hospitals.
Dr Sean O’Kelly, who is currently working as the Medical Director and Chief Clinical Information Officer for NHS England Improvement East of England, has been chosen for the role.
Throughout his career, Dr O’Kelly has held several clinical leadership roles across provider, commissioning, and regulatory organisations in both the UK and USA, such as Associate Medical Director at the Department of Health and Social Care, and Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Michigan.
Ian Trenholm, Chief Executive at CQC, said: “We’re delighted that Sean will be joining us. Sean brings with him a wealth of professional and clinical leadership experience and a sound understanding of the healthcare landscape in which we regulate. I know he shares our commitment to ensuring people have access to safe, high-quality and compassionate care and that his successful career in the NHS will make an important contribution to our work as we implement our new regulatory model and deliver on our strategy.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ted for his tremendous contribution to CQC over the last eight years to develop and strengthen the way CQC regulates hospital services and support improvements in patient care.”
Dr Sean O’Kelly added: “I’m thrilled to be taking on the role of Chief Inspector of Hospitals and am looking forward to building on the great work that Ted has progressed helping providers to drive improvement and ensure that people receive consistently good, safe care. These are exceptionally challenging times and I’m committed to working with CQC colleagues, providers and other partners to support greater collaboration between services and across local systems as we strive to make our healthcare system as good as it can possibly be.”
Dr O’Kelly will take over from Ted Baker, who will retire at the end of March.
