Chief inspector of general practice for the Care Quality Commission, Professor Steve Field, will step down from his role in March, according to the Health Service Journal.

Field (pictured) was due to leave his post next month, after nearly five years as chief inspector, leading on regulation of all primary care providers, including GP and dental services.

Up until last year, Field was a practising doctor at Bellevue Medical Centre, part of Modality Partnership. He had previously been deputy medical director for NHS England and chair of the Royal College of GPs.

Ian Trenholm, chief executive of the CQC, said: “I’m 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 onto 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.”

Field had been overseeing the CQC’s local system reviews contact, which in December will look at three new areas: Staffordshire, Leeds and Reading.