TRIBUTE TO HEALTH CHIEF STEVE DIXON WHO HAS LOST HIS BATTLE WITH CANCER

A moving tribute has been paid to an NHS boss ‘dedicated to improving the lives of people in Salford’ by the city’s ceremonial mayor.

Coun Gina Reynolds was speaking in the wake of the passing of Steve Dixon, who until April this year was the chief delivery officer for the new Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board.

Her speech and a minute’s silence was the prelude to today’s Salford city council meeting.

According to the JustGiving page set up by Salford Community abnd Voluntary Services (CVS) Steve had been diagnosed with oesophgael cancer earlier this year ‘a particularly aggressive, cruel and quick cancer’.

Coun Reynolds said that Steve had a career in the NHS spanning 30 years, 19 of which were in Salford and he lived in the city near Salford Royal Hospital for 15 years.

He was chief financial officer and later the chief accountable officer of the Salford Clinical Commissioning Group which was recognised during his time as ‘outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission for five consecutive years.

“I got to know Steve in my former role as lead member for adult services, health and wellbeing and sat with him on several health boards and committees with him,” she said.

“I round him to be a really caring and compassionate man with a dry sense of humour who was always extremely supportive of all his colleagues.

“He was very well respected and loved by everyone who knew him.”

She described him as an ‘outstanding leader’ who played an invaluable role in developing strategic partnerships with health and social care organisations.

“He was there at the forefront of changes,” she said. “He was tackling health inequalities with a real passion and he was very keen on engaging and working with local communities which were very much at the top of his agenda.

“Steve was dedicated to improving the lives of the people of this city. He leaves a lasting legacy for the residents of Salford. He will be greatly missed and will never be forgotten.”

Coun Reynolds’ words were echoed by city mayor Paul Dennett who said the whole council was shocked by Steve’s passing following his short battle with cancer.