Primary Care Clinical Leads

Throughout everything we do as a cancer alliance, it is essential that we work very closely with our colleagues in primary care. Their work is fundamental to helping reduce health inequalities and to improve cancer diagnosis, treatment and care for our local residents.

Here is a quick introduction to the key primary care roles within our cancer alliance.

GP Chair for the North East London Cancer Alliance: Dr Rob Palmer
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Rob provides robust clinical input into our cancer programmes, and supports enhancing a seamless interface between primary and secondary care for cancer pathways. He works closely with the cancer alliance executive team, programme leads and stakeholders from across primary, community and secondary care, as well as representatives from other local partners, to help transform local cancer services.

Rob says “I work as a GP in Stoke Newington, Hackney, but I also have a special interest role in Gastroenterology, working at Homerton, so have a foot in both primary and secondary care. I’ve been involved in clinical leadership roles in City & Hackney for the last 10 years, in gastroenterology and cancer. I’m delighted to have been appointed to this role, and very much look forward to working with you to improve cancer outcomes for our patients across north east London.’

Programme Clinical Leads

For each of our three main programmes of work, we have a dedicated Primary Care Clinical Lead. Working with the North East London Cancer Alliance Programme Leads, they provide robust clinical input into our programmes and help to identify and lead service improvement and transformation. 

Early Diagnosis: Dr. Jyoti Sood

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Jyoti is a GP in Redbridge and has a particular interest in early diagnosis, along with much knowledge and expertise in the area. She says “I am very excited to be back working and supporting Cancer priorities across north east London. I am looking forward to working with colleagues and residents to meet the NHS long-term plan objectives, and ensuring cancer priorities are delivered with support of place leads.”

Diagnosis and Treatment: Dr Sheraz Younas

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Sheraz is a GP in Waltham Forest, Medical Director for the Waltham Forest GP Federation, and is also an Integrated Urgent Care Lead in north east London. Sheraz says: "I am looking forward to helping make a difference to the diagnosis and treatment of our local cancer patients.  A key focus will be on reducing health inequalities so that everyone has equal access to improved services."

Personalised Cancer Care: Dr Tania Anastasiadis 

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Tania is a GP in Tower Hamlets and has already added considerable value to the cancer alliance through her involvement in many areas, such as Targeted Lung Health Checks. She is passionate about improving cancer care for patients. Tania says “I am looking forward to being able to make an impact on improving the quality of life for cancer patients and to providing primary care insight into a range of new and exciting initiatives that will deliver enhanced cancer care.”

Place Based Clinical Leads

We also have a primary care clinical lead for each borough in north east London and we meet together as a team every couple of months to discuss key cancer projects. The current contacts are as follows:

Barking and Dagenham: Dr Amit Sharma - amitsharma1@nhs.net

City & Hackney: Dr Reshma Shah- reshma.shah1@nhs.net

Havering: Dr Ameesh Patel - ameesh.patel@nhs.net

Newham: Role currently vacant

Tower Hamlets: Dr Tania Anastasiadis - t.anastasiadis@nhs.net

Redbridge: Dr Siva Ramakrishnan - siva.ramakrishnan@nhs.net

Waltham Forest: Dr Shaz Kang - shahbazkang@nhs.net