Care Quality Commission (CQC) chief executive Ian Trenholm has announced he will be parting ways with the regulator in a matter of days, it emerged today (25 June).

The news came as a surprise to many, especially in regards to the short timeframe, with Trenholm set to depart at the end of this week.

Meanwhile, Kate Terroni is set to take over the role in the interim.

Below, are the reactions of some of the biggest names in the sector.

Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: “Care England has collaborated closely with Ian over the past few months to effectively advocate for our members’ concerns regarding the CQC’s new single assessment framework. While ours and the CQC’s collective goal remains ensuring that high-quality care, support and information are provided to people who use health and social care services, the sentiment within the sector reflects significant apprehension and unease regarding the challenges posed by the new framework.

“The recent initiation of a review of the CQC inspection regime by ministers marks a crucial first step towards progress. However, for there to be meaningful change, there needs to be urgent decisive action from the next chief executive.

“We look forward to engaging productively with the incoming chief executive at the CQC, continuing these dialogues to accurately represent the experiences and perspectives of care providers across the country. Their first priority should be to promptly review the Single Assessment Framework and collaborate with the sector to develop an improved system that has balanced reliance on current and relevant data, transparency in regulatory approach and consistency and uniformity in assessments. We strongly reiterate our dedication to this goal and will support the new chief executive in delivering on this right from the outset.”

Care Campaign for the Vulnerable‘s (CCFTV) Jayne Connery said: “This transition marks a pivotal moment for the CQC to reassess and reinforce its commitment to safeguarding the rights and well-being of vulnerable individuals in care homes.

“CCFTV strongly believes that the CQC must adopt a more proactive stance in ensuring the safety and quality of care provided to residents. The numerous reports of inadequate care and maltreatment highlight the urgent need for the CQC to enhance its vigilance and responsiveness.

“Firstly, the CQC should increase the frequency and depth of unannounced inspections. Regular, rigorous assessments are essential to identify and address issues before they escalate into serious problems. These inspections should focus not only on compliance with minimum standards but also on evaluating the quality of life and emotional well-being of residents.

“Secondly, the CQC must implement robust mechanisms for early detection of potential abuses and neglect. This includes leveraging technology, such as supporting providers that adopt overt safety monitoring which can provide critical oversight and transparency in care delivery. The integration of such tools can act as a deterrent against maltreatment and ensure that care providers adhere to the highest standards of care.

“Furthermore, the CQC must engage more effectively with families and care staff. By promoting open communication channels, the CQC can gain valuable insights from those directly involved in the daily lives of residents. This collaborative approach can lead to quicker identification of issues and the development of practical solutions tailored to the specific needs of each care home.

“The CQC’s proactive engagement is imperative to safeguarding vulnerable individuals in care homes. With new leadership on the horizon, this is an opportune time for the CQC to adopt comprehensive oversight strategies, promote transparency, and support continuous improvement. By doing so, the CQC can play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of care and protecting the dignity and rights of those who are most vulnerable.”

Social care consultant Sarah Duffy added on LinkedIn: “Ian is leaving swiftly (end of this month), but after a very turbulent time for the regulator, his departure has felt like a long time coming. It’s telling that Ian’s resignation statement doesn’t contain any apology, either for the wider [adult social care] sector or to CQC staff, despite the well-publicised issues under his leadership.

“Kate will be a ‘safe pair of hands’ for the interim. I would personally choose Joyce Frederick as the next CEO. A longstanding employee with a track record of speaking truth to power (which they certainly need) and doing the right thing, even when that is difficult. Lots of the CQC senior leadership are great at talking the talk; Joyce is one of the few remaining that can actually walk the walk. She has integrity and is reasonable and fair. Isn’t that someone we all need for the regulator at the moment?

“Let’s hope the CQC board get their next appointment right.”