MBBS Bsc nMRCGP DCH  University College London 2003

I feel very honoured to take over from Dr Ambler and I am looking forward to seeing and caring for his patients. However, I am very saddened that Dr Ambler is leaving and I know that I will struggle (despite my size) to fit into his shoes. I hope that even if I achieve half of what Dr Ambler has managed in his career I will have been successful.

I am not a new face around here and have been part of the practice in one form or another since originally being a registrar 3 yrs ago. I feel very lucky to be part of such a wonderful practice. I think Church Street is a great place with the same ideals regarding medicine and patient care that I warmly share. It is the sort of place that I wish I could be registered at; with friendly welcoming staff and intelligent, compassionate nurses and doctors.

I am also glad that I have found a lovely town like Wantage with beautiful surrounding countryside. It is slightly different than growing up in North London- less hustle and bustle but that suits me fine! I have recently moved from Oxford to Wantage to be nearer the practice. My partner and I have settled in well and most of the decorating is done! I love being close to work as I have never enjoyed commuting and have always envisaged a family doctor living within the community and being close to their practice. I hope to be able to become part of the community and to have a long and fruitful career here at Church Street.

For those who don’t know I am a London boy who not only grew up there but also studied medicine at University College London. I am the first doctor in my family. I have done many different hospital jobs working as far as Jersey and as close as the JR. Out of the specialties I have experienced I developed a passion for paediatrics and have the most experience in that area of medicine.

I wanted to become a GP to have the continuity that primary care offers- of being able to get to know patients over time not just looking at a snapshot of a problem. I feel that it is a great privilege to be part of people’s lives in this way.

I hope that I bring something new to Church Street other than lowering the average age! On a more serious note I think I will be a good fit here not only continuing the values which are firmly established but also developing different ways of doing things. I will be taking over Dr Drury’s diabetic work and will be continuing to work with the diabetic patient group and developing the service we offer with Mary and Kate (our specialist nurses). With my interest in paediatrics I have started working closer with the Health Visitors to manage children in need. I designed and now manage our new practice website (any problems please let me know). Unfortunately, although I will be taking over Dr Ambler’s patient list, I do not have the knowledge or expertise to take over his speciality in eyes.

In my time outside medicine I am a keen film buff, I enjoy climbing and walking, and have a love of modern art and photography. I play tennis badly and support QPR (someone has to!). I look forward to seeing you inside and outside the practice whether you need a doctor or not.