Independent nurse to lead new NHS Alliance

Independent nurse Heather Henry has been named co-chair of the new NHS Alliance, a rebranded version of the organisation that seeks to promote connections between primary care and the rest of the health service.

Ms Henry, a former director of primary care who founded her own health and social care consultancy company, will represent nurses in the organisation.

The new vision for the NHS Alliance, the independent leadership organisation that supports primary care professionals in the UK, was launched in London this week. 

Ms Henry is joined on the newly formed leadership team by Mark Spencer, a GP in Lancashire, while Merron Simpson, whose background is in housing, becomes chief executive.

Mr Spencer said the organisation is extending 'far beyond our roots in general practice' to engage with housing organisations, the fire and police services and other community groups that the NHS must interact with.

Ms Henry said: ‘I am hugely excited to be leading the new NHS Alliance, supporting primary care as an enabler of change, rather than wholly focusing on what needs to be changed.’

She added that her personal passion is ‘connecting nurses across the system, especially those working closely with people within their communities’.

'We can effect dramatic change, both to the quality and thinking behind health, and to the NHS balance sheet,’ she said.

Having trained at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Ms Henry has worked for the majority of her career as a nurse and then manager in the NHS. She is also the trustee for Greater Manchester charity CALLPlus, which offers emotional and practical support to people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

Michael Dixon, who led NHS Alliance for 18 years, has announced his retirement, and former chief executive Rick Stern is returning to a full-time role with the Primary Care Foundation.

Both will remain active supporters and advisers.