Supporting Women GPs to Thrive in General Practice: Online Presentation, Panel Discussion and Q&A

Women now make up a substantial proportion of the general practice workforce, yet many continue to face structural, cultural and organisational barriers that limit their ability to thrive, progress and remain in the profession. As pressures on primary care intensify, understanding - and acting on - what women GPs need has never been more urgent.

This launch event presents the findings of an NIHR‑funded study investigating the conditions in which women GPs thrive led by Dr Ruth Abrams, Associate Professor at the University of Surrey. Drawing on rich evidence, the study highlights the workplace, organisational and system‑level factors that shape women’s experiences, wellbeing and career sustainability in general practice.

Bringing together clinicians, researchers, and leaders from across the primary care system, this event will open a national conversation on how to build supportive, equitable and sustainable working environments. Through a panel discussion with leading primary care practitioner voices - including, Dr Shazma Mawani, Dr Sarah Jacques, Dr Mehreen Tahir, Dr Karen Forshaw and Ms Chrissie Mowbray - we will examine what needs to change at practice level, within organisations, and across the wider health system to ensure women GPs can thrive throughout their careers.

Join us to explore practical strategies, evidence‑informed recommendations and inspiring examples that can help transform general practice into a place where women not only stay, but thrive.

Visit our online exhibition to explore the project findings here. 

Panel Speakers:

Dr Shazma Mawani 

Shazma is a GP Partner in Southwest London and has been involved in healthcare innovation through her Primary Care leadership roles. She has held leadership positions as a GP Trainer, PCN Clinical Director and Non-Executive Director for Sutton PCNs CIC where her remit was Chair of Workforce. 

Dr Sarah Jacques

Sarah is a GP in East Sussex, the Co-GP lead for the GP committee of the Doctors Association UK, the Co-Campaigns lead for the Medical Women's Federation and the founder and director of the community interest company, Sussex Outreach Support in Rother District. 

Dr Mehreen Tahir

Mehreen is a practising GP and Deputy Medical Director at NHS England London. She has also local primary care experience as Clinical Director for Cheam and South Sutton PCN and Board Director for an at-scale model, Sutton PCNs. Mehreen is a women's health specialist and trainer and examiner for the RCGP and College of Reproductive and Sexual Health, alongside her role as GP Training Programme Director at St George's Hospital, Tooting.

Dr Karen Forshaw and Ms Chrissie Mowbray

Karen is a GP Partner, Trainer, Appraiser and Clinical Director of a Primary Care Network in Doncaster; Chrissie is a Chartered Physiotherapist, Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapy Trainer with advanced training in NLP and CBT. Karen and Chrissie are the founders of Resilient Practice and have trained healthcare staff across the UK, working with the RCGP, NHS England, The MDDUS and numerous NHS Trusts.

For more information about the Women GPs Thrive project or to read the project findings, explore our online exhibition.