Professor Steve Field, Chief Inspector of General Practice

Professor Steve Field will join CQC from NHS England and will lead the inspection and regulation of primary care services across the public, private and independent sectors.

As Chief Inspector of General Practice, Professor Field will:

• champion the interests of people who use primary medical services.
• make judgments about the quality of care provided.
• ensure that health and adult social care services join up seamlessly.
• introduce a ratings system for registered primary care providers.

Professor Field said: “I am thrilled at being appointed the first Chief Inspector of General Practice in England. I see this as a wonderful opportunity to highlight what’s good in general practice and dentistry, and to shine a light on what isn’t. It’s an opportunity to make sure that all organisations are encouraged to live up to the standards of the best.

“I have had a long-standing commitment to address health inequalities and this role will enable me to ensure that primary medical services put this increasingly important issue high on their agendas. It will also allow me to focus on making sure that people receive health and care services that are integrated.

“I am sad to be leaving NHS England, and the great team that we’ve established, but I am looking forward to working with Mike Richards again and joining David Behan’s executive team, which has been making great strides in moving the CQC forward in a very positive direction.”

Welcoming the appointment, Jeremy Hunt Secretary of State for Health said:

"In Steve Field we have found a formidable Chief Inspector of General Practice who will speak up for patients without fear or favour.

"Steve will have the power and authority to judge how well each practice is serving patients, help us to celebrate the best practices, and take tough action where standards aren’t up to scratch.

"GP surgeries are the bedrock of our NHS, providing vital long-term care for some of our most vulnerable and elderly. I am determined that patients who rely on them get the excellent service they deserve every time.