The Minor Illness Manual

Dr Gina Johnson graduated from Guy's Hospital in London in 1979 and worked as a general practitioner in Luton from 1983 to 2017. She has always been actively involved in primary care audit and research, and has published articles on a wide range of topics. She is very aware of the limitations of Western medicine, which led her to study for an MSc in medical anthropology in 2002. She is a medical acupuncturist and has an interest in holistic care.

Dr Ian Hill-Smith started publishing research papers while studying for his first degree in anatomy, before graduating in medicine from University College London, in 1980. He is both a member of the Royal College of Physicians and a fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners. He is fascinated by fundamental science and how it can be applied to medical practice, particularly how medicines can be prescribed to best effect, which was the subject of his research MD. His previous local and national roles have led to the development of a primary care prescribing formulary, reduced medicines wastage and courses on medicines optimisation. Currently he is a member of the expert panel advising on the clinical management of common infections for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and works as an out of hours GP and GP trainer.

Dr Chirag Bakhai discovered his affinity for teaching while at university, where he tutored fellow students in exchange for pizza. Now a General Practitioner, Strategic Lead for Long Term Conditions for Bedfordshire Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, and with regional and national leadership roles, he supports education and quality improvement at scale. He has designed and implemented programmes, interventions and innovations to help identify and address learning needs for healthcare professionals and has delivered teaching across the country, as well as influencing policy and driving efforts to improve care, support self-management and reduce inequalities.

Dr Bhavina Khatani is a General Practitioner based in Hertfordshire. She acquired her interest in teaching at a young age, designing and delivering language classes to children during her teens. She has loved teaching ever since! In 2021, she gained a Masters in Health Education and joined the NMIC team. Her particular areas of interest are medically unexplained symptoms, including chronic pain, and the complex biopsychosocial factors underlying people's experiences.