Luther Street Medical Centre is an award-winning GP surgery providing healthcare to people experiencing homelessness in Oxford city. Its PPC team is dedicated to ensuring patients have access to a full range of primary care services and mental health support – continuously making a difference to vulnerable people in our communities.

Louise has been an integral part of the GP team at Luther Street Medical Centre for many years, facing changes and challenges along the way. Every day she goes above and beyond to provide excellent quality patient care despite pressures. She is reliable and committed to patients, always putting them first and thinking of their quality of life.

Louise has contributed a huge amount to practice lead areas and Quality Outcomes Framework (QoF) achievements in recent months, which has been a key factor in the practice improving its performance on the previous year. Working in Oxford as a GP for around 20 years and having extensive experience of looking after patients in more deprived areas of the city means Louise can use her expertise to make important contributions and decisions.

Her knowledge allows her to support and mentor others within the team, provide guidance when needed, and be a fantastic role model to colleagues. She is approachable and compassionate to both colleagues and patients.

Louise has been an essential part of the Luther Street Medical Centre team for many years, her patients and colleagues are so grateful for her devotion and the valued role she has in the team.

The nomination

Louise was nominated by Luther Street Medical Centre GP Medical Lead Dr Caroline Page, for her dedication to patients and colleagues.

Caroline commented:

“Louise is a consistent, supportive presence to colleagues. Incredibly knowledgeable and experienced with a niche population with complex needs.

“She is supportive of new colleagues both junior and senior to her, and a fantastic mentor to other GPs in the practice. Louise has been a consistently available, caring, and compassionate GP to many long-term patients and extremely valued by our small and high-demand population. Patients ask for her by name.

“Louise is always keen to share her own professional experiences with less experienced colleagues and able to guide, support and mentor.

“She is well-known and trusted by the entire practice staff, not only clinicians, and is incredibly organised and efficient – producing clinical administrative work alongside fully booked clinical sessions with little practical support in a very stretched environment.”

Lead Governor Anna Gardner said: “I am delighted for Louise to win the Exceptional People Individual Award for May – Louise is an excellent role model. Her commitment to help people experiencing homelessness in Oxford city is essential to our community and she has been able to improve many people’s quality of life. Louise is there for both patients and colleagues – we are very grateful for the important part she plays at Luther Street Medical Centre”.

Louise commented: “I am delighted and honoured to be chosen for the Exceptional People Award for May 2024. Luther Street Medical Centre works with people who are homeless and vulnerably housed. Many of our patients have multiple problems including trauma, substance use and mental health problems. The team does exceptional work, but it is very much teamwork so I would like to accept the award on behalf of the whole team. It is great to have our service recognised as our work can feel rather hidden from view. Thank you.”