About DGPA — Dorset GP Alliance

We represent the views of general practice across Dorset when key decisions are being made.

About

Our Alliance was formed in July 2022 to help amplify the voice of general practice, particularly when decisions are being made within the new Dorset Integrated Care Systems (ICS) structure. We regularly share our views on resources, service design and how to improve the health of the population in Dorset.

Meet the team

Our board is made up of 22 members including an elected representative from each of the 18 PCNs in Dorset.

As well as GPs, we have an Allied Health Professional lead, a Pharmacy Professional lead, and a Patient and Public lead on the board. Wessex LMC attend in an advisory/non-voting role.

The Board

Dr Forbes Watson is the Chair of the Alliance and is a GP in Lyme Regis. Forbes was previously Chair of the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group and Vice Chair of the Dorset Health & Wellbeing Board. Forbes has extensive clinical and system level experience and will ensure that the voice of general practice is not just heard but is at the forefront of how decisions are made in the Dorset ICS.

Tim was previously the Chief Officer at Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group and Dorset’s Integrated Care System (ICS) lead. Tim is a qualified accountant and has over 18 years NHS Board level experience, including that as Director of Finance.

Dr Simone Yule is a GP partner in North Dorset. She has been actively involved with the CCG and has an interest in Population Health Management. She is a national clinical advisor for PHM and is the Clinical Director for the Vale Network. Simone represents the practices in the West of the County.

Ben is the Deputy Chair for the GP Alliance representing practices in the East. He remains a full-time GP partner in Bournemouth. He has held a number of roles within Dorset CCG supporting Primary Care development and currently chairs the Primary Care Strategy Implementation Group. He is also the Clinical Director for Central Bournemouth Primary Care network.

Ian Gall is Chair of the Our Dorset ICS Public Engagement Group and of his GP practice Patient Participation Group (PPG) and is involved with other patient groups in Dorset and nationally which gives him a unique view as a patient representative, of the challenges and issues around delivering health care in Dorset. Ian is passionate about developing a consistent approach to working with people and communities across Practices and PCNs and ensuring that communication and engagement deliver on what matters to people, by listening and acting on what they say.

Steve is the senior clinical pharmacist at Poole Bay and Bournemouth Primary Care Network and has worked in the NHS as a medicines expert for 32 years, including in general practice, hospitals, universities and at NHS England. He will advocate for the fullest utilisation of pharmacy professionals and the need to optimise medicines for all patients, especially those with multiple chronic conditions and within our ever-ageing population.

Liz Hoskinson is a First Contact Practitioner Clinical Fellow for the Dorset Primary Care Training hub and has over 20 years’ experience in the NHS in Dorset. Most recently Liz has been working at the forefront of service delivery and strategy within intermediate and primary care settings and represents primary care with the Dorset Allied Health Professions Faculty and Dorset Allied Health Professions Council

Clare is a Senior Nurse working as Nurse Manager at The Adam Practice and Clinical Lead for Nursing/AHP at Poole Central Primary Care. Clare is also currently working part time as the ICB GPN Strategic Lead to ensure there is a primary care nursing voice at system level. With 31 years of NHS nursing and being awarded the Queens Nurse Title in recognition for her commitment to delivery and leadership for care in community care, she is passionate about quality improvement, in particular, seeking innovative ways of working to deliver optimal patient focused care. Clare advocates for Nurses ‘having a seat at the table’ in relation to healthcare leadership.

Support Team

Fiona is the CEO of Castleman Healthcare, a GP federation in Dorset and provides additional business management support for the Alliance. She has a wealth of experience at senior levels across the health and education sectors including both private and public sector organisations.

Fiona joined the Dorset General Practice Alliance as Business Administrator in September 2022. She provides administrative support to the Chair, Executive Officer and Board and is the first point of contact for the Alliance.