Dr. Farnaaz Sharief MBE

Within a General Practice setting, Dr. Sharief have been able to address challenges in Primary Care using creative problem-solving solutions such as Clinical Telephone Triage and developed sound administrative pathways to significantly reduce GP workload. She also identified weaknesses in the primary care workforce and supported teams by upskilling staff to strengthen their roles (eg. Receptionist Signposting). Dr. Sharief led monthly locality meetings with GP colleagues, strengthened relationships with relevant stakeholders and subsequently developed initiatives that improved patients experience and health outcomes (Improving health checks for patients with Serious Mental Illness). Furthermore, she led various workstreams to initiate integrated multidisciplinary team working with stakeholders that provides holistic support for patients with complex needs improving their health outcomes and support in a primary care setting. Her passion for Mental Health has enabled her to develop a free local wellbeing programme that has received four local and two national awards; and been shown to significantly reduce levels of Anxiety and Depression amongst those who attend. Dr. Farnaaz Sharief also lead on developing new pathways with the mental health and community provider to develop a quicker diagnosis and crisis support for patients with Dementia and improved referral pathways for adults with mental health conditions. 

Dr. Sharief is elected Governing Body Member and Clinical Lead for Mental Health, NHS Medway Clinical Commissioning Group. Dr. Sharief was honored by the Queen of England and appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services to Mental Health by HRH the Duke of Cambridge at Buckingham Palace.