Over many years, the NHS Alliance has championed the right of frontline GPs and their patients to shape local services, ensuring that resources are used effectively. We welcome government plans for GP commissioning and see in it a unique opportunity for frontline GPs, managers and other clinicians who work with them to make a real difference to the health of their patients, the services they receive and to make the best of limited resources.

Only by focusing on bringing about effective cultural change in the healthcare community can the new government deliver its vision of a reformed health care system, said Dr Michael Dixon, chairman, NHS Alliance.

By Dr Ade Adeagbo
The global financial crisis has revealed some major weaknesses in the direction and control of many large publicly-traded companies, especially in the financial sector, and this is now having an impact on the public sector arena including the NHS.

"If a centrally run NHS, driven by targets and the whims of senior managers and clinicians, doesn't work. If an NHS, run by private sector corporates as in the US, doesn't work. What is the way forward?" This was the question discussed at length by Dr Michael Dixon at a conference organized by the Brighton and Hove Integrated Care Service.

The nine winners of the NHS Alliance Acorn Awards 2009 received their certificates at The NHS Alliance Annual Conference held in Manchester. Commenting on the awards Michael Sobanja, chief executive of the NHS Alliance, said: “The NHS is an incredible organisation that achieves much more than it is given credit for; it is also a hard taskmaster. That’s why the Acorn Awards are so important.

The quest for an NHS that delivers top quality services at a cost-effective price is the focus of a new policy/discussion document just published by the NHS Alliance. Called Sustaining the Vision: how the NHS can survive the looming financial crisis, the report debates how world class services can be achieved at a time when the NHS must cope with limited, zero or even negative economic growth.

By Dr Michael Dixon

Twelve years and a General Election in the near future make it a good time to take stock for the NHS and NHS Alliance. Starting with the past, let’s pause for a second and celebrate our successes.

The NHS Alliance's Non-Executive Directors Network (NEDNET), is establishing a new website with plans to launch it this month (October). In line with NEDNET's priorities for 2010, the website is intended to allow Non Executive Directors to exchange information and discuss good practice and experiences

By Dr Michael Dixon

This year's NHS Alliance conference in Manchester is set to be primary care's "finest hour". An NHS beset by limited, zero or even negative economic growth is having to think again. How can we improve patients' ability to help themselves, improve their personal health and develop better health within the wider community?

Wendy Evans, Practice Manager Lead, NHS Alliance talks about the NHS Practice Management Network.