General Practitioners
Thethirteen GPs at Minden in three different practices. They see their own patients, offering personal family doctor care. Here are some short details about each of the doctors, arranged by practice.
Dr Helen Deakin
Qualified in Cardiff in 1980. Then she spent a few years working in hospital in the following specialities medicine, surgery, ear nose and throat, casualty, care of the elderly, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology and psychiatry. One of these years was spent in South Africa, as a medical officer in a rural hospital.
She joined Minden in 1985 as a GP Registrar for one year and became a Principal GP at Minden in October 1986. Achieved DRCOG/MRCGP.
She is married with one child.
She has general interests in the whole spectrum of family medicine.
Dr Paul Norman
Qualified from Liverpool University in 1991, having completed an MA in Physiological Sciences at Oxford University in 1987 and an MSc in Cellular Immunology at Manchester University in 1988.
He spent a year in hospital posts on the Wirral and completed the Bury GP training scheme before training with Drs. Fletcher in 1994 and passing the MRCGP.
He joined Minden as a partner in 1995 and subsequently took over from DR Simon Jenkins. He qualified as a GP Trainer in 2000 and currently has his first GP Registrar (2000-2001).
He undertakes all aspects of general practice and provides minor surgery, child health surveillance, maternity care and contraceptive services.
He is a member of the Finance Committee at Minden. Clinically, he has an interest in the management of Asthma in general practice.
Dr Chandra Shekar
Dr Shekar qualified in 1971. He had initial training in Bury General Hospital as Junior Staff and was Medical Registrar for 4 years there. He then did one year's Vocational GP Training in 1980 and joined Minden Medical Centre as a partner in 1981 when Dr Maclean retired.
He enjoys all aspects of general practice providing minor surgery, contraceptive services, maternity care and child surveillance.
He has a special interest in chest medicine and diabetes and does Clinical Assistant sessions in chest medicine and diabetes at Pennine Acute.
Dr Neil Joseph
Dr Neil Joseph was born and raised in London. He studied medicine in Cambridge University and Westminster Hospital, qualifying in 1974. As a middle distance runner he represented England in the Maccabiah games held in Israel in the summer of 1969.
He is married to Patricia, a qualified Pharmacist, working in a retail chemist outlet. She is also the pharmaceutical adviser to a local general practice and sits as a magistrate. They have three children, Leon a qualified doctor, Jonathan who is half way through his medical studies and Anna who has recently been accepted for a place in medical school.
Dr Joseph's (senior) interests include acupuncture and the study of the bible, particularly in relation to creation and the metaphysical and astronomical aspects of the universe.
Dr Audrey Gibson
Details pending.
Dr Simon de Vial
Qualified from Manchester University in 1987.
He undertook his first hospital junior doctor posts in Bury. Then he moved on to posts in casualty, geriatrics, paediatrics, obstetrics & gynaecology and psychiatry in various hospitals in the Manchester area.
He did his GP training post in Stockport joined Minden in September 1992 following the retirement of DR David Cole. He enjoys all aspects of general practice and provides minor surgery, child health surveillance, maternity care and contraceptive services.
He is involved with the financial aspects of running Minden Medical Centre, editing the contents of the web site and is on the Bury North PCG prescribing group.
Dr Kiran Raza
Kiran joined the pracice in May 2006 after completing her registrar year at Castleton health Centre.
Dr Raza has recentley completed a diploma in practical dermatology so if you have a skin problem you can book an appointment to see her direct without seeing your GP, just explain that it is a dermatology problem and the receptionist will book it for you.
Kiran currently works 5 sessions per week within the practice and has a special interest in Dermatology. She performs minor surgery, child health survellience (baby clinics) and family planning advice and treatment.
Kiran is married with two children.
Dr Derek Fletcher
Unfortunatley Dr Fletcher retired at the end of March 2008
Dr Raj Saxena
Raj joined the practice in August 2003 after completing his Registrar year in the Standing practice at Minden.
He has a special interest in Chronic Kidney Disease and Rheumatology. He currently does one session at Wythenshawe Hospital in the Rhuematology department.
He does peform Minor Surgery, Child health Survellience, Maternity Care etc and enjoys all aspects of General Practice.
He is married to Priyanka and they have two young children.
Dr Lucy Bowden
Lucy joined the practice in August 2006 having previously been the Registrar within this practice.
She currently works 6 sessions within the practice.
She enjoys all aspects of General Practice.
Her partner James is a GP in Salford.
Dr Priyanka Saxena
Joined the practice 2nd April 2007 to replace Dr Pat Fletcher who has recently retired. Priyanaka qualified in 2004 after completing her Registrar year with the Standing Practice at Minden.
She currently works 5 sessions per week.
As you may have gathered (if you have read Raj's paragraph) she is married to Raj and they have two young children.