After 12 years in psychiatry and psychotherapy, I returned to General Practice in 2003 and undertook a returner package at Pinfold Medical Practice. I entered into a partnership 1st September 2003 at Forest Road Surgery. I worked with my partners to achieve a move into new premises 14th February 2009 and we renamed the practice Hugglescote Surgery.

During my seven years as a GP partner I developed my skills as a primary care educator and gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education from De Montfort University. Hugglescote achieved training practice status in 2009.

I was clinical governance lead for the practice and mental health lead for the locality. I also had some unplanned experiential experience as an NHS patient, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy in 2004. I am now, thanks to my colleagues in the Breast Care Clinic at Glenfield, fit and well.

Having fitted a lot into seven years I reviewed my roles in 2010 and came to the conclusion that my partners were right - I was doing too much and something had to give. Primary mental health care being the reason I came back to General Practice, I am afraid the responsibilities of partnership were the ones I chose to relinquish.

I am now a Primary Care Clinical Translation Fellow with Leicester University's CLAHRC. I work with West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group assisting them in developing innovative outcome-led services in primary care.

I am also a self-employed sessional GP and enjoy working at a number of excellent practices:

Highgate Medical Centre (two regular sessions covering for Dr Mayur Lakhani)

Loughborough University Medical Centre (two regular sessions term time)

I also support the Good Thinking Therapy service by providing 'GP engagement'. I act as a critical friend that can ask questions that real GPs need answers for so the service can adapt to meet the changing needs of primary care.

Another interesting part of my life is being a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Assessor for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. Being Section 12(2) approved, I was eligible to undertake further training in the Mental Capacity Act. I am usually asked to assess patients in care homes where my experience as a GP is particularly useful.

Being sessional not only gives me the flexibility I need to pursue my interest in primary care mental health. It also gives me an opportunity to see how my colleagues manage mental health patients in practice.

As a Clinical Fellow, I need to be able to translate academic knowledge into practical advice. Being a 'real GP' means I can understand it when my colleagues say 'that just ain't gonna work round here'. Having the experience of Good Thinking's innovative and collaborative approach, I know it is possible to share ideas, be open about outcomes and work across the boundaries to achieve good services for patients.

I have the occasional unfilled slot and can be contacted for locum services. Rates available on request.