Newham Group Practices

The E16 Health Pontoon Dock GP practice hosted a women’s health event on Thursday, 21 July, with staff providing expert advice on a wide range of health, well-being, and social issues.

The aim of the event was to raise awareness and provide more information on women’s health concerns, and give an opportunity for the local community to ask any questions they may have.

The local community were able to gain expert advice from Dr Scarlett Gard (GP at E16 Health), Dr Rabia Ishaque (GP co-lead) and Aayesha Ahmed (Pharmacist Prescriber) to discuss key health issues and concerns that women face. This included domestic violence, cervical screening, breast cancer screening and many others. They were supported by deputy regional manager, Christiana Sakyi, practice manager, Alfie Sleap and receptionists Alisha Labonte and Shazna Begum.

Feedback from attendees was positive, with one commenting that “the surgery had been very supportive and the event was informative and quite educative as well.”

Another visitor added “It was great to see doctors and staff from the surgery. Having such events support people feeling less isolated, and we were able to ask questions that we probably wouldn’t normally ask.”

Deputy regional manager Christiana Sakyi said, “It is very important to host such events because it brings the team and patients together, as well as raising awareness on important health concerns women face. Our clinicians gave presentations on issues like domestic violence, health concerns which include cervical screening, menopause and bowel screening; they also spread awareness on the importance of self-care, mental health and regular NHS health checks.”

Practice receptionist Alisha Labonte added “It is very important to have events like this to spread awareness and help patients have an understanding of what role a GP plays in their health and well-being. For some patients this was their chance to have a voice and speak out about how they feel and learn about the care they have access to.”

This women’s health event is the third event E16 Health has hosted. All attendees received refreshments and gift bags that included information leaflets and health-related freebies, some of which were donated by local chemists – Day Lewis and Royal Docks.