NHS Alliance Chairman Dr Michael Dixon Steps Down After 18 Years

LONDON, December 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

The NHS Alliance held a farewell event to celebrate their chairman Dr Michael Dixon as he stepped down after 18 years in the post.

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The Vision for the Future event was held at ITN Productions' studios and included a debate panel as well as tributes to the outgoing chairman. Dr Dixon used the opportunity to criticise the NHS for reverting to "traditional battle lines" and warned that organisations like NHS Alliance are in danger of disappearing.

He went on to say "commissioners are in strait jackets" and that "GP's are not engaged in the new models of care". He also warned that primary care is "locked" both in terms of budgets and methodologies.

Dr Dixon said: "It is now more difficult than ever to run an independent organisation, fired by the commitment of progressive clinicians with strong values and determination working out of hours and get the necessary funding, media profile and political attention. The NHS is reverting to its more traditional battle lines and, if this continues, then organisations like NHS Alliance will disappear and the NHS will revert to being run by "force of might" rather than "force of right".  We may already be seeing this."  

High profile guests included Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who paid tribute to Dr Dixon's contribution as chairman, while the event was compered by Dr Philip Hammond.

The event also saw the premiere of Communities of Care, an in-depth news-style programme produced in partnership with ITN Productions specifically aimed at those within the sector. The programme looked at the efforts being taken in the sector to create a responsive and responsible system as well as policies affecting primary care and initiatives to support the future of a proactive and preventative system.

The news-style piece combined key industry interviews and news-style reports with sponsored editorial profiles of some of the leading organisations in the sector.

Simon Shelley, Head of Industry News, said: "Stories are the most compelling way to inform and engage people. Our partnership with the NHS Alliance explores stories from across healthcare as a means of bringing better understanding to the issues the sector faces, investigating innovative solutions, and looking at the great work that does go on across the country on a daily basis. These stories can inform professionals and government, and help shape a promising future."

"We're delighted to host the 'Vision for the Future' event at ITN Productions, and congregate the leaders in the healthcare sector for lively debate and insight. It was a night to celebrate the successes of Dr Michael Dixon in his tenure as Chair of the NHS Alliance, and focus on the individuals taking the organisation forward; but we were also keen to leave the audience with some lasting thoughts about the pertinent concerns that the sector faces, ones that we'll continue to explore in our programming."

To watch the full programme, please visit the NHS Alliance website: http://www.nhsalliance.org/nhs-alliance-tv/communities-of-care/

About ITN Productions  

ITN Productions is ITN's bespoke production hub producing creative and commercially valuable content for the corporate, commercial, broadcast and digital sectors. Industry News forms part of this offering and is a communications tool for leading industry bodies and national associations produced in a broadcast news programme format, including interviews, news items and sponsored editorial profiles.

For more information visit: http://www.itnproductions.co.uk  

About NHS Alliance 

NHS Alliance uniquely brings together clinicians of every kind, and managers and patients. It also brings together providers in primary care - whether they be general practice, NHS Trust, social enterprise or independent - all with a mission to improve and do their very best for each and every patient. Its strong values over the past fifteen years have given it the ear of government, while its tireless work in patient and public involvement has provided a voice for patients.

Press contacts:
Stewart Laing
Salix & Co
T: +44-(0)20-8675-4779
M: +44-(0)770-360-3341
E: stewart.laing@salixandco.com

Emilie Charron
ITN Productions
Tel: +44-(0)207-430-4708
Email: emilie.charron@itn.co.uk

SOURCE ITN Productions and NHS Alliance