Thanet GP Dr Ash Peshen scoops clinical leader of the year award

Dr Ash Peshen at the Saga cenre

Thanet’s Dr Ashwani Peshen was crowned clinical leader of the year at the national Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards last night (November 18).

Margate GP and Thanet clinical leader Dr Peshen was recognised for his inspirational ideas and outstanding commitment to clinical excellence.

He said: “I can’t quite believe it; I am overjoyed to have won and would like to thank all my colleagues who I work alongside – we make a difference together in what we do. I feel very honoured to have won against some excellent entries.’’

The Thanet GP hub team with Dr Peshen (standing, in blue)

Dr Peshen’s nomination explained the way his ‘vision for the improvement of patient experience has galvanised teams across organisations to work together to make changes and improvements in the safety, quality and experience of the patient journey’.

His work has included:

  • development of an enhanced primary care service and GP home visiting service
  • development and delivery of the complex response team in Thanet, which supports patients in staying at home and to get the care and support they need in their own homes
  • leading the vaccination programme in Thanet
  • using digital innovation to provide better patient access and experience
  • transforming the primary care model in Northdown GP practice in Margate, including recruitment of more healthcare professionals, such as an advanced nurse practitioner, mental health worker and advanced paramedic practitioner
  • development of the GP streaming service in Thanet.
Wilf Williams, Kent and Medway CCG accountable officer

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) Accountable Officer Wilf Williams said: “I am absolutely delighted that Ash has received this honour and recognition of his amazing efforts over an extended period.

“We hear the often quoted phrase ‘there’s no I in team’, well with Ash that really is the case.  Having spent time with him in his practice and at the Saga Vaccination Centre, I can attest to the importance Ash places on team and how people respond to that approach.

“That said, he is a leader and gets things done and so many things – but he is a leader to make a difference, not to say ‘look at me’.  I’m not convinced he hasn’t been cloned, such is his work rate and presence in so many places.  My final observation is the reaction of others to this award – genuine delight and happiness at an honour so appropriately bestowed. Thank you Dr Peshen.”

 

Dr Peshen has been one of the leaders of the covid vaccination programme at Saga as part of the Margate, Mocketts Wood and Coastal and Rural Excellence primary care networks (GP practices locally grouped together).

The group was also recognised for the work they have put into the Covid-19 vaccination programme by being finalists in the Primary Care Networks, GP or Community Provider of the Year.

Dr Peshan (centre) and vaccination staff from the GP hub at Saga

NHS Kent and Medway CCG’s Chief Operating Officer Caroline Selkirk, who nominated Dr Peshen, said: “Ash always delivers, he is innovative and inspirational and puts patient care at the centre of everything he does.

“I’d also like to congratulate the primary care network for making it to the final – that is an achievement in itself. The team has worked tirelessly to deliver the vaccination programme, as have colleagues across Kent and Medway.’’

More than 1,000 entries were submitted to this year’s HSJ Awards, with 205 organisations, projects and individuals making it to the final shortlist.

18 Comments

        • Yep, the story was when enough people got vaccinated things would return to some sense of normality. The majority have now done so & yet still they hide behind Skype calls, they simply don’t want to go back to seeing patients in person-which Stevie Wonder can see is going to lead to poor health outcomes & deaths-with missed opportunities for cancer diagnosis etc.

          Thought they took a vow to knowingly do no harm? They have made great play of having the Saga centre open for vaccines, so some of them have done nothing but see unvaxxed people for months on end to stick a needle in them, but now they are they refuse to see them in practice.

          • Someone I know of (not in Thanet) was refused an appointment with their GP because it is “unsafe” – and then they went for their Covid jab to be injected by their GP!

  1. Congratulations to Dr Peshen and to everyone involved in the whole programme of vaccinations and care during the extremely difficult and challenging past 20 months. It is much appreciated by many.

    • Indeed, the vaccination programme in Thanet has been excellent (thanks at least partly to the many unpaid volunteers).

  2. Congratulations to my doctor in receiving this award , maybe he could put as much effort into his surgery and make it possible for patients to actually acquire a consultation without having to rely on luck every day on the phone call queuing system .

  3. Well done and thank you, Dr Ash Peshen & colleagues for work in the wider community tackling COVID. And I am pleased that such contribution has been recognised by you and your colleagues.

    However, I’m sure that many have concerns about the accessibility, of medical services at Northdown Surgery.

    No doctors, I’m told available to see patients and a lottery appointment system, to access clinicians, which seems to be based on a first-come, first-served basis.

    There are I understand, currently, 5 doctors as partners, however, I’ve been told on at least three different occasions by staff that there is only one doctor who is required to be in the surgery during opening hours.

    As I understand most nurse practitioners are paid around. 40,000 pounds a year whereas a doctor is on a basic of 70,000 pounds so if they have a nurse doing the role of the practitioner, that saves the practice 30 grand a year, and if the absent practitioners are out working elsewhere for agencies earning good money. Happy days.

    I think it’s been the case that GP’s have often worked outside their surgery to broaden their skills. But come on. What is the point of Northdown surgery if the doctors aren’t there except as a legal requirement?

    NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) Accountable Officer Wilf Williams, had positive things to say, I wonder if he’d like to make himself available to the public, I tried to email him but the telephonist wouldn’t give his email address, a while back.

    I think it would be great if public concerns were listened to.

    • You are quite right. Great his and others work is awarded but so hard to get to see any medic at his surgery. Used to be a good surgery but now it is pants. Good luck if you need to see a doctor there.

  4. He was a great GP too so its no surprise he has won an award and i have no doubt so fully deserved.. well done Dr Peshen

Comments are closed.