This practice is based on the outskirts of Scarborough. This is an area with high levels of deprivation, many social problems and high levels of unemployment. Just over half the list of 8000 live on the estate. The remainder of the list live in surrounding villages or farms and commute to work in Scarborough. It is therefore a very mixed practice allowing the opportunity to experience work generated by high levels of morbidity related to deprivation alongside more traditional urban general practice.

There are 5 partners in the practice and between us we have particular interests in minor surgery, musculoskeletal medicine, cryotherapy, women’s health, mental health, evidence based medicine, pre-hospital emergency care and addiction.

Our purpose-built building was constructed in 2006, and has 12 consulting rooms, with space for expansion for when the planned development on the local estate is undertaken. There is an extensive medical library and internet access from the consulting rooms.



We offer a full range of general practice services and have a primary health care team including physiotherapy, podiatry, psychology, practice based mental health worker, dietician and outreach consultant psychiatric clinic. We are a "paperlight" practice using EMIS.

We have been a training practice since Feb 2000. Dr Hughes and Dr Saffman are the trainers although all partners are involved. We are also involved in undergraduate teaching with The Hull-York Medical School (HYMS). All of the Doctors are involved in the medical student teachings, and with the supervision of final year students.



PARTNERS




Dr Liz Noble MB ChB DRCOG



I am originally from Leeds and went to medical school at Aberdeen qualifying in1983 followed by house jobs in Harrogate and Aberdeen. I then joined the Scarborough VTS for General Practice. I passed my DRCOG in 1986.

Within the practice I take responsibility for the staff and have in interest in Women’s health including Family planning and offer a cervical cytology clinic.

Outside of the practice I am married with two grown-up children. I am also involved with my local church as a Sunday school teacher.




Dr Phil Hughes MB ChB DCH MRCGP



I was born and brought up in Liverpool in a non-medical family and qualified in Leeds in 1985. After house jobs at Otley I worked in O+G and Paediatrics for 3 years in Leeds and Harrogate before turning to General Practice. I trained at West Ayton and Prospect Road, as well as A+E and Care of the Elderly.

My particular interests are the GP as a specialist in "patients with more than one illness", Pre-hospital Emergency Care, Education and Practice organisation.

Within the practice I lead on Postgraduate Training and Enhanced Service delivery.

I am a member of the Yorkshire Ambulance Service BASICS and Scarborough and Ryedale Mountain Rescue Team.

Outside of medicine I am interested in sustainable living, growing my own vegetables and fruit. I am married to Colette who is also a GP.



Dr Charles Saffman MBChB DA MRCGP



I qualified in Liverpool in 1986. Initially I worked in anaesthetics in Merseyside and Australia. I did my General Practice training in Scarborough.

Within the practice I take responsibility for QoF and Practice Based Commisioning. I am a GP trainer and also teach undergraduate medical students. I have a particular interest in acupuncture, and in drug addiction services.



Dr Asif Firfirey MB ChB



I completed my medical training at the University of Cape Town in South Africa and my internship in the rural town of Umtata in the Transkei, which is in the Eastern Cape Province. After working for four years as a GP in a busy inner city practice as well as a branch surgery consisting of a converted shack in an informal settlement, I got married and we decided to move to the UK.

I initially worked as a Senior House Officer in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, completing posts in General Medicine, Paediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynaecology, before joining the GP training scheme in Scarborough. My training included rotations in A+E, psychiatry and an innovative post in musculoskeletal medicine.

I started working as a salaried GP at Eastfield Medical Centre in January 2007.

I am very interested in musculoskeletal medicine in primary care, as well as conditions related to sports and exercise. In the practice I am the IT lead and I am also involved in undergraduate training, with regular teaching sessions in mental health, child health and General Practice for medical students. I am also the practice Commissioning lead and represent the practice on the Scarborough Clinical Commissioning Group.

Away from work, I tend my vegetable patch, as well as spending time with my three sons. I am the local Lifeboat Medical Advisor and also enjoy mixed martial arts.