About Us

Executive Chair and Clinical Lead

Dr Dixon completed her medical training at Leeds University. She worked as a salaried GP and locum before working as a GP partner in Knaresborough for 19 years. During that time she trained undergraduates, Physician Associates and other healthcare professionals in contraceptive procedures.

She has been a member of the Harrogate LMC and is currently Harrogate locality lead. Dr Dixon is also piloting a role bridging primary and secondary care in the Harrogate area improving communication.

She joined YHN in 2016 and is keen to champion quality care for patients, resilience in general practice and collaborative working.

Area of responsibility –  Patients & Stakeholder

Dr Freer has been a GP at Masham and Kirkby Malzeard for almost seven years. Prior to that, he worked in Leeds, Harrogate and Northallerton hospitals as well as GP training in Leyburn and Bedale. He is a passionate supporter of rural general practice, trying to keep services local and easily accessible to his patients. Alongside his clinical work and YHN board duties he is also an honorary senior lecturer for Hull York Medical School currently working as educational supervisor for an exciting new pilot scheme where students spend 12 months in local general practice.

Outside of work he is kept busy by his three young children and when they allow him time he love’s dabbling in a bit of home improvement, following Rugby and scratching his head in a Pub Quiz.

This is a challenging time for primary care but he feels strongly that YHN can help local practices identify and capitalise on many opportunities to improve patient care, access and safety and improve working conditions for their practice teams.

Area of responsibility – Internal Processes

Dr Hammatt qualified from Medical school in 1990 and has been a GP for 25 years and a GP Partner for 20 years in Harrogate. Prior to working in Harrogate he has experiences of working in Australia including remote practice having been the Medical Superintendent of his own hospital. He has also been involved in the Local Medical Committee. Outside of work he very much enjoys good food and wine and traveling, especially if it involves International Rugby Union or Italy (both combined is even better) along with watching cricket with playing days having now faded into the past.

Area of responsibility – People & Learning

Sarah Wilkinson has been the Practice Manager at Park Parade Surgery in Harrogate since 2004, leading and managing all aspects of the Practice.  Her role involves many exciting challenges such as the planning, preparation and implementation of a move to new build premises.  Sarah values collaboration, appreciating the significant benefits to local Practices of working together to sustain a resilient General Practice. Sarah brings the knowledge gained in completing the NAPC Advanced Practice Manager diploma, along with her experience, to support local practices via Yorkshire Health Network.  In her spare time Sarah has two children who keep her busy but also enjoys being outside, jogging or cycling

Area of responsibility – Good Governance

Dee is well known amongst practices across York, East Ridings and North Yorkshire through her work as a management consultant. She has over 25 years’ experience of working in both primary care and social care, and remains a passionate advocate for the VCSE sector and its ability to work as equal partners with practices to improve patient outcomes. She joined the Board as an independent non-executive director ‘to support the Board to stay focused on what matters to its member practices and demonstrate high standards of corporate governance’. 

Mrs Dee Lynes will not be working for YHN from 1 March for 3 months.

Area of responsibility – Financial Stewardship

Dr Petty is a pharmacist. He started his career in hospital but in the late 1990s  moved to primary care and since then has been working to develop the role of clinical pharmacists in general practice. He also held research posts at Leeds and Bradford Universities where he researched medicines use and the role of pharmacists in general practice. He is a board member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (England Board).

His role as a non-executive director on the YHN board is to provide financial scrutiny.  Having worked in primary care for many years he also hopes to be able to use his skills and experience to develop services that support local practices.

Outside of work he likes to be active and is a keen cyclist. In non Covid times he would be spending time in France and trying to learn French.