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CQC cover-up allegations: the three officials under fire CQC cover-up allegations: the three officials under fire
(4 months later)
Cynthia BowerCynthia Bower
When the Guardian revealed that the Care Quality Commission was being investigated by the Department of Health over its performance in late 2011, chief executive Cynthia Bower brushed aside criticism, telling the Health Service Journal she did not "mind people thinking I'm incompetent", but objected to claims she was "only interested in a large pension".When the Guardian revealed that the Care Quality Commission was being investigated by the Department of Health over its performance in late 2011, chief executive Cynthia Bower brushed aside criticism, telling the Health Service Journal she did not "mind people thinking I'm incompetent", but objected to claims she was "only interested in a large pension".
She announced her departure a few months later – after a damning government review had been published. Bower had amassed a pension pot of £1.4m. Her time at the CQC was a controversial one. Made chief executive in 2008 when the organisation was formed, she oversaw the CQC's "light touch" regulation regime. Until May 2011, when the BBC's Panorama exposed the scandal of abuse at Winterbourne View, the CQC had launched just one investigation. The revelations today reinforce her critics' belief that she was reluctant to probe and criticise the NHS.She announced her departure a few months later – after a damning government review had been published. Bower had amassed a pension pot of £1.4m. Her time at the CQC was a controversial one. Made chief executive in 2008 when the organisation was formed, she oversaw the CQC's "light touch" regulation regime. Until May 2011, when the BBC's Panorama exposed the scandal of abuse at Winterbourne View, the CQC had launched just one investigation. The revelations today reinforce her critics' belief that she was reluctant to probe and criticise the NHS.
She had been a protege of Sir David Nicholson, the outgoing boss of the NHS, and rose under his wing in the West Midlands. She was formerly chief executive of the NHS West Midlands strategic health authority, responsible for supervising the performance of scandal-hit Stafford hospital. Bower, 57, still has a home in Birmingham as well as one in London.She had been a protege of Sir David Nicholson, the outgoing boss of the NHS, and rose under his wing in the West Midlands. She was formerly chief executive of the NHS West Midlands strategic health authority, responsible for supervising the performance of scandal-hit Stafford hospital. Bower, 57, still has a home in Birmingham as well as one in London.
Jill FinneyJill Finney
Jill Finney, who as deputy chief executive earned £145,000 a year, led the CQC's response to the Mid Staffs scandal. Known as a loyalist, she left when Cynthia Bower said she would be departing from the top job.Jill Finney, who as deputy chief executive earned £145,000 a year, led the CQC's response to the Mid Staffs scandal. Known as a loyalist, she left when Cynthia Bower said she would be departing from the top job.
When she was appointed in February as chief operating officer at the internet company Nominet on a reported salary of over £100,000, many within the NHS thought she had landed on her feet. But the firm confirmed that it had sacked the former commission executive. A spokesman said: "The increasing public scrutiny over our CCO's former role at CQC has made it impossible for her to continue with her role and responsibilities at Nominet. With regret, we felt it necessary to terminate Jill Finney's employment with immediate effect. Ms Finney will be paid one month's salary in lieu of notice."When she was appointed in February as chief operating officer at the internet company Nominet on a reported salary of over £100,000, many within the NHS thought she had landed on her feet. But the firm confirmed that it had sacked the former commission executive. A spokesman said: "The increasing public scrutiny over our CCO's former role at CQC has made it impossible for her to continue with her role and responsibilities at Nominet. With regret, we felt it necessary to terminate Jill Finney's employment with immediate effect. Ms Finney will be paid one month's salary in lieu of notice."
Before the current controversy surrounding the CQC, Nominet had been poised to promote Finney to the board, with approval expected at a board meeting next month. But, following this week's disclosures, members of the board had already begun to voice concern about the company's continued association with Finney and the damage that might follow.Before the current controversy surrounding the CQC, Nominet had been poised to promote Finney to the board, with approval expected at a board meeting next month. But, following this week's disclosures, members of the board had already begun to voice concern about the company's continued association with Finney and the damage that might follow.
Anna Jefferson
Anna Jefferson
Brought into the CQC to stiffen its spine, media manager Anna Jefferson gained a reputation as being part of the management's praetorian guard. When the Guardian began investigating the failures of the CQC in late 2011, her response to a detailed set of questions was that they appeared "to be a collection of old news, inaccuracies and misrepresentations", and she made light of being asked why the regulator had misled parliament or simply refused to answer allegations of bullying because they were "personal".Brought into the CQC to stiffen its spine, media manager Anna Jefferson gained a reputation as being part of the management's praetorian guard. When the Guardian began investigating the failures of the CQC in late 2011, her response to a detailed set of questions was that they appeared "to be a collection of old news, inaccuracies and misrepresentations", and she made light of being asked why the regulator had misled parliament or simply refused to answer allegations of bullying because they were "personal".
She maintained that the CQC could have unearthed scandals in the NHS while cutting its inspection budgets, while also claiming the organisation had never gagged anyone raising "genuine concerns".She maintained that the CQC could have unearthed scandals in the NHS while cutting its inspection budgets, while also claiming the organisation had never gagged anyone raising "genuine concerns".
The comments appear to have been vindicated by subsequent events. Not only did the Guardian's stories eventually prove correct, but Jefferson's boss, Cynthia Bower, announced her departure a few months later. Jefferson remains employed by the CQC in the same role, but is on maternity leave. Given that politicians are calling for a ban on anyone caught up in the coverup working in the NHS, it remains to be seen if she can continue in her job.The comments appear to have been vindicated by subsequent events. Not only did the Guardian's stories eventually prove correct, but Jefferson's boss, Cynthia Bower, announced her departure a few months later. Jefferson remains employed by the CQC in the same role, but is on maternity leave. Given that politicians are calling for a ban on anyone caught up in the coverup working in the NHS, it remains to be seen if she can continue in her job.
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