A GP has joined the governing body of NHS Swale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Dr Lavan Nilan Sasikethan replaces Dr Sasha Murthy of the Sheppey Healthy Living Centre, who has retired.

Since 2013, he has worked closely with the group as a clinical lead, helping to write the area’s winter strategy.

“Swale is a challenge,” he said.

“It has one of the highest and lowest life expectancy rates in the county. In villages like Borden you can expect to live to nearly 90 but in deprived areas, like on Sheppey, many die in their late 70s.

“There is a 10-year age gap across the borough depending on where you live. The commissioners want to improve that and I wanted to be part of the team which made it happen.”

Dr Sasikethan is also keen on breaking down traditional barriers so health and social care can work together to treat patients.

“We need a joined-up approach to make the best use of our resources, especially our community hospitals,” he added.

“Patients should have one contact so they don’t have to keep telling their story over and over.

“The CCG is working hard with GPs, consultants, district nurses and social care to make this happen and I wanted to be part of that.”

Born in Godalming, Surrey, he trained at Imperial College Medical School, London, qualifying in 2005 at the age of 24.

He completed a BSc in cardiovascular sciences at the National Heart and Lung Institute at the Royal Brompton Hospital and underwent GP training at Medway Maritime Hospital.

It was there he worked in cardiology, respiratory medicine, palliative care, paediatrics, psychiatry, gynaecology and care of the elderly.

In August 2010, the 33-year-old began locum work at Sittingbourne Memorial Medical Centre. After three months, he was offered a partnership alongside six other GPs and a nurse practitioner.

The team looks after 12,500 patients and provides cover for the hospital’s Kestrel Ward and the Frank Lloyd dementia centre on the same site.

A public meeting of the CCG governing body takes place on Friday, March 27, at the UKP Leisure Club, Avenue of Remembrance, from 1pm to 4pm. No appointment is necessary. Questions can be emailed to swale.ccg@nhs.net. The agenda can be downloaded from www.swaleccg.nhs.uk five days before the meeting.