New CQC lead named

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CQC appoints new lead for mental health services
Kevin Cleary, quality improvement lead for a district health board in New Zealand, will start in September
Takes over from Paul Lelliott, who is leaving after five years in post

The Care Quality Commission has appointed a quality and safety leader from New Zealand to head up its inspection of mental health services.

Kevin Cleary, a quality improvement lead for mental health at the largest district health board in New Zealand, has been appointed as deputy chief inspector and mental health lead for the CQC.

He will take over from Paul Lelliott in September. Dr Lelliott, who is due to leave the CQC at the end of August to go travelling, has held the post for five years.

Dr Cleary, who trained as a psychiatrist in New Zealand, has previously worked as executive medical director at North Middlesex University Hospitals Trust and chief medical officer for East London Foundation Trust.

He also worked as a consultant child and adolescent forensic psychiatrist at West London Mental Health Trust.

In a statement, Ted Baker, chief inspector for hospitals at the CQC, said: “I am delighted that Kevin will be joining CQC to lead on mental health. As well as his clinical background in mental health services he will bring a wealth of national and international clinical and leadership experience and an excellent track record in patient safety and quality improvement.”

The HSJ Transforming Mental Health Summit, taking place at the Hilton Leeds from 28-29 November, unites 120+ senior figures from across the NHS, local authority and wider mental health service delivery landscape to discuss how to realise the visions of the NHS long-term plan and ensure successful local implementation of national priorities. Held under the Chatham House Rule, attendees will quiz Paul Farmer and other national figures on general policy direction and co-develop solutions to their local challenges with NHS and local government colleagues from across the country. The Summit is free to attend for senior NHS and public sector figures – register your interest here for this free to attend forum on our website: https://mentalhealth.hsj.co.uk/register-2019