Looking for a British GP? | Dr Ruhil Badiani | 10 years on the NHS

Dr Ruhil Badinai is a British GP who was educated and graduated from Guy’s and St Thomas’ School of Medicine in 2005.  She later worked for the NHS for 10 years in London as a GP before moving to Dubai with her husband and two young children.  We ask Dr Ruhil some questions about her typical day and how she looks after her family.

What does a typical day for a GP look like?

The typical GP day is very variable, it is one of the reasons why I love my job, I never know who is going to walk through the doors and what condition they might have. Generally, I start my day checking blood results and radiology reports followed by having a look at my appointment list so I can be as prepared as possible. I spend much of my day seeing patients and it can range from acute conditions such as a fever, cough and cold to more chronic complex conditions that require investigations and monitoring. My patients will call to book in advance, walk-in or are referred by my colleagues at Cornerstone clinic.

Which 3 hospitals do you recommend going to in case of emergency in Dubai?

The hospitals that I would recommend would depend on the condition and if there is a particular specialist doctor that I know or want to see. I would always recommend Rashid Hospital for emergencies as it is the largest government hospital in Dubai. Other hospitals – Mediclinic City or Park View Hospitals, King’s Hospital in Dubai Hills, American Hospital are all very good too. I have also worked with or personally seen great doctors at a variety of other small, independent or larger, big name hospitals in Dubai.

Why do we need a GP? (how and when can we contact you for help, what are the benefits, and is it more convenient)

GPs play a crucial role in the healthcare system for several reasons:

• We serve as your primary point of contact for those seeking medical care. We provide comprehensive and holistic care and address a wide range of health concerns. We are trained to assess, diagnose and manage a variety of acute and chronic conditions and play an essential role in early detection and prevention of disease.
• GPs establish a long-term relationship with patients, often seeing the whole family from grandparents to new-born babies. This means we have a comprehensive understanding of your medical history, family history, lifestyle factors and social circumstances allowing us to better diagnose, manage and coordinate care leading to improved health outcomes.
• GPs act as gatekeepers – we coordinate and refer patients to specialists when necessary. We also play a vital role in managing and coordinating between different healthcare providers, ensuring a seamless healthcare experience for our patients.
• GPs offer you and your family convenience. You often find that more than one member of your family needs to be seen by a doctor at the same time, so instead of driving around to two or three doctors, we can see everyone.
• You can contact me during clinic hours through reception either by phone, email or whatsapp.

Which hospitals would you take your children to?

My children have been seen by doctors at American Hospital, Mediclinic City Hospital and King’s Hospital in Jumeirah as well as Emirates Speciality Hospital in Jumeirah. I tend to choose the doctor instead of the hospital so spend a lot of time researching who I would like my children to see.

Which hospitals did you work at in the UK and what were the most frequent problems you would attend to.

I worked in a variety of different hospitals in and around London including Guy’s Hospital, King’s Hospital and St Thomas’ hospital. I also worked in Darenth Valley, Milton Keynes and St Peter’s in Chertsey Hospitals. I worked as a GP for many years in Stamford Hill, a very busy London GP clinic.

The most frequent problem I would see viral infections in children, new born babies and pregnant women. I would also see many elderly patients with multiple medical problems. Mental health conditions are very commonly seen as well.

As a GP, I see all people of all ages but my patients in London were mainly babies, children, women and the elderly. They came with a variety of medical issues ranging from viral infections, managing chronic multiple medical conditions (diabetes and heart conditions would be the most common), family planning and pregnancy care. Mental health conditions can effect anyone and is a common complaint whether it is mild depression and anxiety, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

For an appointment with our British GP, Dr Ruhil Badiani, please kindly call us on +971 50 494 6377 email us on info@cornerstoneclinic.ae

www.cornerstoneclinic.ae

22 July 2023