NHS chief becomes head of care standards commission

The director of operations of the NHS Executive has been
appointed as chief executive of the National Care Standards
Commission.

Ron Kerr will start in his new role next month heading the
independent watchdog, set up to regulate social care services and
private and voluntary health care.

Health minister Jacqui Smith announced the appointment: “The
formulation of the NCSC is a great step forward in terms of
ensuring high standards in social and health care services. The
commission will be an important way for us to drive up quality and
improve the level of protection for vulnerable people.”

“With extensive experience spanning 30 years in public service,
Ron Kerr brings with him a vast array of skills, including
considerable experience of successful change management on a major
scale,” she added

The NCSC, which is based in Newcastle, will take over regulating
services from local authorities from April next year, carrying out
regular inspections of services and have powers of enforcement to
ensure services meet new minimum standards.

Kerr, who has held several NHS chief executive posts in London
and the south east, said: “This is a demanding role and an exciting
challenge.

“The national standards will introduce consistency that has been
lacking and mean that quality will be improved,” he added.

Anne Parker was appointed to the role of chairperson of the NCSC
in January, and 13 board members were announced in April.