About Us

We are here to work for you.

Founded in 2014, GP Primary Choice was formed as a limited company with all 32 GP surgeries as shareholders, allowing the directive of the company to be wholly down to those who it affects.

Vision, mission, values and aims

  • Vision: 
    • Making Primary Care the Primary Choice in North East Essex
  • Values: 
    • Locally run to meet local needs;
    • Securing quality for our patients;
    • Trusted and based on patient preference;
    • Sustainable and viable
  • Aims: 
    • Supporting Primary Care to be sustainable
    • To reduce Health Inequalities
    • To improve access to services within the local communities

Vision and Formation of GP Primary Choice (GPPC) Ltd

The vision of GPPC continues to be that of supporting primary care to be sustainable and at the core of NHS services, which given the continued growing financial and demand pressure within the health and care system, is needed more than ever.

GP Primary Choice (GPPC) Ltd was formed in 2014 in response to the significant challenges facing North East Essex locality GP Practices. The introduction of the open market reduced public finances, and the aspiration of North East Essex CCG (now known as the Integrated Care Board – ICB) to outsource its out-of-hospital services, presented both a threat and opportunity to primary care in North East Essex. Of the original 38 GP practices in North East Essex, 32 are members today due to closures and merging practices.

Achievements and Growth of GPPC

Since its formation, the company has achieved several its original objectives, which included securing several Primary Enhanced services (PES). This includes 10 services all carried out within Primary Care. The current contract expires in October 2026. 

Following a change in our CQC registration two years ago GPPC now deliver clinical services as well as subcontracting to all 32 GP practices. GPPC has continued to grow, having doubled the number of employees over the last 24 months and increasing its portfolio of services delivered. We have been successful in delivering some exciting pilots, commissioned by the ICB, to support prevention, particularly in the early detection of cancer. 

We continue to be at the forefront of delivering pilots within North East Essex on behalf of NHS England and the commissioners with outstanding results. GPPC will continue to be a proactive member of the Integrated Care Board & Integrated Care Partnership (ICB/ICP) as well as the Health & Wellbeing Boards and will ensure the voice of primary care is firmly heard. 

Collaboration and Future Opportunities

GP practices are in a unique position in that they are the core part of the NHS and have the most contact with the population.  As the implementation of the NHSE Five Year Forward View, Fuller report and the ICB continues there will be opportunities to deliver population health requirements which practices, and their population data will be best placed to deliver and GPPC will be in the position as their federation to help and assist.

GPPC has recently signed a collaboration agreement with our colleagues in Suffolk GP Fed to ensure services that can be delivered at scale are shared and that we work collaboratively. Regular monthly meetings are held with both Feds, LMC, SNEE Alliance Medical Directors and representatives from NEE, Suffolk and West Suffolk.

Meet Our Senior Team

Executive & Non-Executive Directors:

Chief Executive Officer – Jo Sunderland

I have been with GPPC since December 2014. After being recruited as the 1st employee to a project manager role, as the company grew, I became the Operations Manager then Head of Operations. In Feb 2019 I was promoted to Chief Officer and a year later Chief Executive Officer. I am extremely proud to be part of GPPC and all that the team have achieved.

 

 

Chief Operating Officer – Laura Cook

I joined the NHS in January 2009. I have had various roles working in data analytics and Digital and IT. I was seconded in late 2019 to run the COVID hubs in NEE which remains one of my greatest working achievements to date. In May 2022 I joined as Chief Operating Officer. I am very proud to be involved in some of the great work that we are doing at GPPC supporting local practices and patients. In the last year we have increased our portfolio of work to include some really exciting prevention projects that are supporting the early identification of Skin and Lung Cancers.

 

 

Chairman – Dr Hasan Chowhan

Dr Chowhan is Senior Partner at Creffield Medical Group having worked there since 2007. He is an examiner for the Royal College of General Practitioners and is a member of the North Essex Local Medical Committee. He has previously been chairman of the North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group.

 

 

 

Medical Director – Dr Louise Bishop

I have been a GP for 23 years with a specialist interest in Cardiology. I have been a Medical Director for GPPC for 3 years and prior to that I was a non-executive director.

 

 

 

Finance Director – Ann Read

I was a practice manager in North East Essex for 23 years during which, I took part in several NHS initiatives including working as a fund holding manager for a group of 3 practices. During this time, I was involved in the setup of GP Primary Choice Ltd and became a Director 10 years ago. I have now been the Finance Director for 5 years

 

 

Governance Director – John Kavanagh

I joined the Board of GPPC after retirement from 15 years of Practice Management & before that 27 years in banking as I felt that my experience could bring something to the table. I have been on the Board now for 4 years & recently took on the Governance Director role.

 

 

Non – Executive Board Member – Dr Shelley Cooper

I have been a GP partner at Wivenhoe surgery since 2005.

Special interest in women’s health and safeguarding and currently also the named GP Safeguarding at SNEE ICB.

 

 

Non – Executive Board Member – Dr Mohshin Quayyum

I’m a full time GP Partner in Colchester since 2005 and have been involved with GPPC over the past six years. I find both roles rewarding and challenging.

 

Corporate Team:

  • BI & Project Manager – Donna Harris
  • Operations Manager – Helen Henderson
  • Practice Support Manager – Diane Balcombe
  • Finance Assistant – Diane Silverthorne
  • Senior Project Manager – Helen Mouncher
  • Clinical Lead Nurse – Becky Gowers
  • Clinical Lead Nurse – Sarah Blewden
  • Clincal Lead Prevention Services – Kelly Stanford
  • Administrator – Dawn Howe
  • Administrator – Ella Harris

Registration and Privacy notice

CQC Registration

GP Primary Choice are CQC registered under the regulated activity of diagnostic and screening procedures. See our registration below:

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Privacy Notice

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