CQC chair David Prior is made health minister

David Prior, the chair of the Care Quality Commission, has been appointed to the position of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department of Health.

Mr Prior, who is a former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, will take up this post with immediate effect and will step down from his role as chair of CQC.

The search for a permanent replacement is to begin immediately, with Michael Mire, a current CQC board member, chairing next week’s board meeting.

Mr Prior said: “I am enormously excited about this new appointment. However it is a bitter-sweet moment for me because I have loved working at CQC for the last two and a half years. It has been a great privilege to work with so many talented staff who are committed to improving the lives of people who use health and care services.

“I believe that the new regulatory model we have developed will not just identify poor care, but also stimulate and encourage services to improve. In David Behan, the CQC has an exceptional chief executive, and his leadership, supported by the executive team and the board, will ensure that the organisation continues to build on the progress already made.”

David Behan, chief executive of CQC, said: “David’s experience and insight will be a fantastic addition to the ministerial team.

“The news of his appointment is, however, tinged with sadness as it means that we will be losing a fantastic chair, whose direction and challenge has helped CQC to make huge strides in delivering real benefits for people who use services. David can be justly proud of his crucial role in shaping the organisation into one that is more effective and more responsive to people’s needs.”

Mr Prior was the Conservative MP from 1997 to 2001 for North Norfolk until he lost his seat to Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb. He will have to be made a life peer in the House of Lords so that he can join the Government.

Mr Prior’s appointment to the Department of Health is the latest in a string of new appointments – that has seen Alistair Burt replacing Norman Lamb as care minister and Justin Tomlinson being made minister for disabled people. Jeremy Hunt was reappointed as Health Secretary, having held the post for two and a half years.