Exclusive: GP chief inspector to leave CQC

Professor Field has been chief inspector for the sector since October 2013 and leads on regulation of all primary care providers, including GP and dental services. 

He had been due to stand down in October but was asked to stay on until March 2019. 

Professor Field is currently leading on the CQC’s local system reviews contract which were recently extended to cover three new areas. 

The three new areas the regulator is set to look at by December are; Staffordshire, Leeds and Reading. As part of the contract extension the CQC will also review progress made in three areas it has already covered; Stoke-on-Trent, York and Oxfordshire.

A sometimes controversial figure amongst GPs, Professor Field’s was until last year a practising doctor at Bellevue Medical Centre, part of Modality Partnership – one of the largest GP providers in England.

He was also previously deputy medical director for NHS England and chair of the Royal College of GPs.

Ian Trenholm, chief executive of CQC, confirmed his departure and said: “I am extremely grateful to Steve for extending his term of office by six months until March 2019, and supporting me as I joined this important organisation.

“This has allowed us to progress much of the local system review work and speaks of Steve’s dedication to making sure people get the high quality, compassionate care that they deserve.

 “I look forward to working with him over the coming months before he moves on to his next opportunity, which he will no doubt excel in. As for the CQC, we are continuing with plans to recruit to this exciting and important role.”