Nigel Starey obtained his initial degree in Molecular Biology and Human Genetics which was followed by his medical training and qualification in 1976. He has been a GP since 1982 - firstly in Burnham on Crouch, Essex and for the last ten years in Swadlincote, Derbyshire. In between he worked with North West Anglia Health Authority and as director of the Centre for Primary Care at Derby University.  As a GP he was lead fund holding partner and a GP trainer for some years.  He also has an interest in the treatment of substance misuse.

Nigel Starey represented primary care in the government advisory group which helped develop the genetics white paper and also was a member of the Nuffield Trust Group which developed the "Ethics of pharmacogenetics" paper. He has been interested in the future of General Practice and has spoken and written on the issue for several years - The Challenge for Primary Care, Radcliffe medical press 2003 ISBN 1 85775 569 3 represents an overview of this work.  His current genetics project in Southern Derbyshire is aimed at improving the confidence and competence of primary care clinicians in dealing with the genetic issues they face - mainly by providing educational opportunities and support.