Andrew Willis

Prior to retirement from the UK National Health Service Dr Andrew Willis was a partner in the same Northampton general practice.

Following major government reforms of the NHS in 1989, including the introduction of an internal market, he was involved in planning local and national services, becoming chair of the National Association of Commissioning GPs in 1994, and then the first president of the NHS Alliance.

His enthusiasm for developing general practice spanned its buildings, information systems, organisation, and personnel, and his practice made significant local and national contributions in all those fields.

In 1991, he was awarded a Master in Social Science degree from Birmingham University for his work on the information needs of general practices, and the following year he achieved Fellowship by Assessment of the Royal College of General Practitioners.

His book, Practice Matters, is unique in being part memoir, part modern social history of the modern NHS, and part a consideration of how the service can be developed in a sustainable manner.