Health Development Agency appoints Andrew Dillon as Acting CEO, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 14 Dec 2004 - 11:00 PDT

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The Health Development Agency (HDA) today announced the appointment of Andrew Dillon as its new Acting Chief Executive. Andrew is also currently Chief Executive of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), and will remain so until the end of March 2005, when the HDA and NICE merge to become the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Andrew will then become the new Chief Executive of the new organisation which will build an international reputation for promoting excellence in clinical and public health as charged in the White Paper.

Andrew Dillon, Acting Chief Executive of the HDA and Chief Executive of NICE, said:

"I'm delighted to be the Acting Chief Executive of the Health Development Agency, particularly given the merger of the HDA and NICE next April to form the new National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. This opportunity will help with the seamless transition of both organisations into one which will continue to provide professionals in the clinical and public health fields with the tools to deliver the most effective prevention, cure and care to their communities."

Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of the Health Development Agency, commented:

"I am pleased to welcome Andrew to the HDA, especially at this crucial time when public health is high on the political agenda. Andrew's presence provides the chance to build on the good working relationship that already exists between the HDA and NICE; a joint programme of work on guidance for management of obesity has been ongoing for the last 18 months. In contrast to some other ALBs, we are well ahead of the game with work around the merger advancing at a pace.

"Both organisations are keen to maximise the opportunities that lie ahead, whilst ensuring that we keep a firm focus on our existing work programmes. Andrew's appointment is welcomed by staff, and he will provide continuity as we move towards joining with NICE in April 2005 to create a unique organisation with a remit across prevention and treatment."

ENDS

Notes for Editors

1. The Health Development Agency http://www.hda.nhs.uk is the national authority on what works to improve people's health and to reduce health inequalities. We work in partnership across sectors to support informed decision making at all levels and the development of effective practice.

2. NICE is part of the NHS. It is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on treatments and care for those using the NHS in England and Wales. Its guidance is for healthcare professionals and patients and their carers to help them make decisions about treatment and healthcare. For further information about NICE you can visit http://www.nice.org.uk.

3. A short biography for Andrew Dillon is at http://www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=201703 .

4. The White Paper said:

"For the first time, the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence will integrate upstream (prevention) and downstream (treatment) knowledge and guidance on effective practice and intervention as NICE and the HDA are already doing together on obesity, identifying which actions will have the greatest impact on health. It will become possible to compare evidence for the cost effectiveness of early ill health prevention programmes with the evidence of the cost effectiveness of treatment later. The NHS and its partner organisations, including local government, will benefit from this stronger evidence base both as to what works within the field of public health, inequalities and ill-health prevention and on the case for investment upstream."

Choosing Health: Making Healthier Choices Easier. Appendix B, paragraph 19. http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/09/48/71/04094871.pdf

For further information, contact Dr Tonya Gillis or James Thomson, HDA press office on 020 7061 3117 / 3108.

Dr Tonya Gillis
Acting Head of Communications - Media
Health Development Agency

Tel: 020 7061 3117
http://www.hda.nhs.uk

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