Guest post by Dr Gabriel Hendow, award-winning GP & The Tinnitus Clinic associate

As a single handed GP in Bransholme, Hull, 2017/18 has proved to be quite an amazing year.

I am the only single-handed GP in the country to receive an “Overall Outstanding” rating from the The Care Quality Commission (CQC).I attended and was awarded “Celebrating Good Practice” by the RCGP. I was the only GP among five nominees for the National Health Hero Awards presented at No.10 Downing Street by Prime Minister Theresa May - a surreal, once-in-a-lifetime, incredible experience.

In May this year I was recognised by the Sunday Times Magazine as part of the publication's “Alternative Rich List”. And in November I attended the The General Practice Awards held at the Westminster Bridge Plaza Hotel, and was honoured to win the biggest award of the evening “General Practitioner of the Year.”

All while still working as a single handed GP in a Health Centre in Bransholme, Hull, one of the most deprived areas in the country, I am humbled to have received all of these wonderful plaudits, accolades and experiences. The judges awarded me “GP of the Year Award” for what they said was providing 'innovative' care to the largest council estate in Europe. I was also recognised for my methods of care, which include running exercise classes, food clinic, teenage health check clinics, a volunteer “121 Therapy Clinic” and HMS Hull home monitoring service.

I’ve always wanted to get to know my patients, understand their background and treat them as individuals. For me, being a doctor is the same as being a friend, a shoulder to cry on and someone to laugh with. It’s taken me years to change the work culture within my practice. Family medicine is such a unique area. It’s not about issuing unnecessary prescriptions. It’s about listening, interacting and having a holistic approach to patients and their families’ overall need. Our patients are special to us – we know their background and treat them as individuals. Building relationships is equally important with the healthcare organisations, partners and specialist experts I work with, too.

I have worked closely with The Tinnitus Clinic (TTC) over the last few years, after enhancing my understanding of the condition by attending seminars held by TTC. I was aware that many of my colleagues in general practice may not have benefited from such events and experience, so I was proud to assist when the clinic compiled its First Appointment Guide for GPs which was very informative and accessible. I’m glad I was able to share my knowledge and contribute to the guide – it’s something that impressed the CQC during their visit.

I was also offered a position to be part of the Tinnitus NICE Guidance Guidelines Committee, but sadly had to decline due to my other work commitments in Hull. I have always believed my patients to be the centre of my work, and I am therefore certain my approach and management of their care has enabled me to form strong closer relationships with my patients, staff, colleagues and other healthcare professionals. I believe this in turn has contributed to my fantastic achievements. I couldn’t have done all this without my amazing practice staff.

Here’s to 2019!