Practice History

The practice was started by Dr. Charlotte Shields (photos) in Westcliff in 1918, with the Thorpe Bay surgery being her residence and a branch surgery. She was then followed by Dr. Joan Lush in 1926. Dr. Lush is still remembered for her care and dedication and her special devotion to relieve human suffering during World War II. Dr. Kemmerling followed in 1939 and she subsequently left to go to Uganda in 1976. Carol Welsh joined the practice in 1962 and when she left she was replaced by Dr. Mavis Taylor in 1968 who left the practice in 1989.Dr. Bilquis Agha joined in 1973 when she was introduced to many patients by Dr. Kemmerling whom she replaced. She in turn was joined by Dr. Jupp in 1976 and Dr. Davids in 1979 respectively. They both left for family reasons and are still practising in the area. Subsequently Dr Vanat and Dr Jayatilaka who were with the practice until November 1996. Dr Yee joined in November 1990 when Dr. Taylor retired.Our newest partner is Dr Siddique who joined in 1997. He is the first male partner to join the practice since it was established in 1918. Dr Chinedu Odina another male doctor joined the practice as a salaried partner in 2009.

In 1996 a local single handed GP retired, the patients from this practice were rellocated to the practice at short notice. This rise in patient numbers allowed the practice to become a stand alone practice and separate itself from the Westcliff site in Preston Rd. The practice currently looks after approximately 6500 patients. 

Memory Lane

These photographs were kindly given to us by Joan Jarvis whose father Mr Charles Wenden was employed as Dr Shield's driver. We asked Joan to write a short article about her father with some background about the photos.

Charles Leonard Wenden (b. 26.09.07 - 12.02.78). (Written by Joan Jarvis)  

My father Charles Leonard Wenden (Len) taught himself to drive in the late 1920's in the yard of a removal company, before driving tests. He became Chauffeur for Dr. Shields in the 1930's until approximately 1938. He got the job because he was smartly dressed and of clean appearance! This was pre NHS and employment in the 1930's was difficult to find.  

Dr. Shields was demanding of his time and sometimes difficult but she was caring and also catered for "poorer" patients and those unable to pay. He spent many hours waiting outside patient's homes. She referred to him as "Wenden" and expected him to drive her to holidays in Brittany, France and St. Ives in Cornwall where she painted. We still have one of her paintings. He drove her to Dover where her car was lifted onto the ferry by cranes (no roll-on ferries!!)  

He wore a smart uniform, separate starched collar in those days and was proud to have worked for Dr. Shields. He was a man of great integrity, always punctual and totally reliable, he kept the car immaculate.  

Upon her retirement, as redundancy, she gave him the car!! My Mother recalls him driving this big car down a then un-made St Luke's Road. He sold it after two weeks because it was too big and expensive to run!  

Dr. Joan Lush then joined the practice and I was named after her.  

Joan Jarvis

Do you have any history or memorabilia about the surgery? If so please contact Dr Siddique by email or directly at the surgery.