Dr Ishi Bains (pictured in the center) was named National GP of the Year at the General Practice Awards in London on Friday, recognising her leadership in transforming women’s health services across Tower Hamlets.
The award, presented at a national ceremony sponsored by Pulse Today magazine, is one of the highest honours in UK general practice. The General Practice Awards celebrate excellence, innovation and impact across the NHS, bringing together clinicians, educators, managers and service leaders from across the country.
Under Dr Bain’s leadership, the Women’s Health Hub has brought primary, secondary and community services closer together, enabling faster referrals, shorter gynaecology waiting lists and care delivered in the most appropriate setting. The model prioritises continuity, ensuring women are supported by coordinated teams who understand their needs.
The ceremony also recognised other outstanding clinicians from the borough, including Dr Ballal Seddique, who was shortlisted in three national categories: GP of the Year, Clinical Improvement for Long-Term Conditions, and Clinical Improvement for Public Health and Prevention.
She hopes the Tower Hamlets model will inform wider NHS adoption, demonstrating how clinically led, system-supported design can deliver faster access, smoother pathways and more sustainable services at scale.
Reflecting on the award, Dr Ishi Bains said: “I was surprised and incredibly happy to receive this award. It’s encouraging to see this work recognised nationally, because it reflects the collective effort of a whole system working well together, from administrators to clinicians, who go above and beyond every day to support patients. I hope this model shows what’s possible and can be replicated across the NHS to strengthen services and improve care.”
She remains focused on championing integrated models of care that prioritise patient needs, staff wellbeing and long-term sustainability, ensuring women in Tower Hamlets and beyond receive timely, compassionate and high-quality care. Her nomination highlighted her role in redesigning women’s health pathways, strengthening collaboration between primary and secondary care, and improving access and outcomes for patients.
Dr Bains, a GP at Goodmans Field Practice and Co-Lead of the Tower Hamlets Women’s Health Hub, was nominated by colleagues including Kamila Omaradin, Kate Anaodo a GP Partner, and members of North East London ICB.
