About us

Dr Dan Brook has evolved over twenty years in medicine into one of London’s leading private GP’s as recognised by Tatler in 2020.  He enjoys the variety of General Practice and the opportunity to build lasting relationships with his patients of all ages.

He has a specialist interest in health screening, cardiovascular disease and general adult medicine.  Dan has a broad appeal with the Practice’s community looking after many young families as well as a number of elderly patients in their own homes.  He enjoys the challenge of diagnosis, using his added experience as a hospital physician, and enjoys collaborating with his patients to help them navigate the ever more complex world of healthcare.

Beyond his role as Clinical Director, Dan is additionally lead at the Surgery for Prescribing and Dispensing.

Dr Sonali Kinra graduated in India in 2001 and moved to United Kingdom in 2004. She is dually qualified with Membership of  the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) 2007 and Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) 2009. She practiced as a GP Partner in a large city NHS practice in Nottingham before moving to London in January 2020

Sonali brings with her expertise in continuity of care across all age groups with special interest in care of the elderly. She offers patient-centred care and encourages shared decision making for managing acute and chronic disease.

She continues to practice as a GP in the NHS and as Deputy Medical director at North Central London Integrated Care Board. She is also trustee board member of Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). She strives for workforce equity and improved accessibility to excellent healthcare.  Her efforts were recently recognised by a national award in 2021 for Professional Excellence by BAPIO (British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin) and her inclusion on Health Service Journal’s 2022 list of 50 most influential BAME people in health (rising star).

Her husband is a consultant cancer surgeon remains a strong motivating force in her life who encourages her to remain up to date with ongoing medical advancements. These remain subjects of intense debate at the dinner table for this medical couple balancing provision of primary and tertiary care across all healthcare spectrums.

As a senior member of the clinical team, Sonali is lead for Frailty and Adult Safeguarding, Training & Education, CQC and Clinical Governance at the Surgery.

Dr John Brook graduated in medicine from The Royal London Hospital after first completing an honours degree in Biochemistry.  He qualified in General Practice in 1976 and was one of the few GP’s of his generation to gain membership of the MRGP.  He was a partner in a busy NHS practice before going into private practice in 1984.  Since this time, he has built a reputation as a superb diagnostician and as one of the leading private GP’s of his generation.

John’s special interests have always been in preventative medicine, paediatrics and family care and he has always felt a talent for diagnosis and the practice of safe and caring medicine.

He continues to have a strong following amongst the Surgery patients and takes enormous pride looking after multiple generations of so many families throughout his incredible career. John is lead for the Surgery’s Vaccine Clinic.

Dr Lisa Setchell studied medicine at Nottingham University and after completing her training she worked in Nottingham and Derby, and then in London and Western Australia. After her initial grounding in General Medicine and Surgery she spent time working in Emergency Medicine, Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Sexual Health.

Lisa’s broad medical experience served as an ideal platform for the diverse needs of General Practice. She realised her passion was for treating a diverse range of illnesses in men, women and children, and following several years of GP training she became a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2005.

Lisa really enjoys the opportunity to get to know her patients and their families well, and she sees this as one of the most rewarding aspects of the job. Her thorough, evidence based and sensitive manner makes her popular with patients and colleagues alike.

As a happy mother of four she works part time at the Brook Surgery enjoying all aspects of General Practice and sharing the lead on our Woman’s Health Clinics with Dr Emily Simon.

Dr Emily Simon graduated from the University of Manchester in 2003 and gained Membership to the Royal College of GPs in 2009. She has subsequently worked both in the NHS and in the private sector as a GP and finds it a privilege caring for patients from birth to old age.

Emily has developed a special interest in Women’s Health and Sexual health and alongside GP work and she is currently working as a speciality doctor for the Haringey and Islington Gynaecology Collaborative Service. She has obtained diplomas in Gynaecology and Sexual and Reproductive Health and is trained in all aspects of family planning. She has recently obtained membership to the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine and works with patients experiencing any sort of sexual dysfunction through our Sexual Health Clinic.

As a member of the British Menopause Society Emily has been extensively trained in managing complex menopause patients. She is passionate about education, is a registered GP trainer and lectures regularly in Medical Schools and GP training seminars. She has also spent years training GPs in matters related to Sexual health. During the Covid-19 pandemic she helped run Covid assessment centres in both the NHS and the private sector and was the Covid clinical lead for Haringey.

Emily leads our Psychosexual Clinics and is the joint Clinical Lead for Women’s Health at The Brook Surgery, along with Dr Lisa Setchel.

Dr Amanda Simmons attained her medical degree from Leeds University Medical School in 2003 together with a BSc in ‘Genetics in relation to medicine’. Following graduation and her junior house officer positions, she worked in paediatrics in several London teaching hospitals obtaining her Membership of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2007.

Amanda went on to attain membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2010 along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Her work in general practice has given her experience with patients from a wide variety of cultural and economic groups. She enjoys the incredibly varied and rewarding work that general practice allows. Her areas of special interest remain paediatrics and women’s health but she enjoys all aspects of general practice.

Her working week is divided between her role as a part time NHS GP and Paediatric Lead at the Surgery. Alongside her clinical work she assists in achievement of quality improvement targets set out by NHS England. When not at work she enjoys exercising, dog walking and spending time with her husband and three children.

Dr Lavan Varathan qualified from King’s College London. His training has seen him working within several medical and surgical specialties (including obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, urology and dermatology to name a few). Here, he acquired a breadth of knowledge. He also has a passion for preventative medicine and health screening.

Lavan completed his GP training at Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead and has since been working at a busy NHS practice in Northwest London. He was recently appointed Medical Director of a Med-tech company which has seen huge growth in the past 2 years.

Lavan is also incredibly keen on medical education, he has completed a postgraduate teaching certification from University College London and enjoys mentoring future generations of GP. He is the Diagnostics & Procedures Lead at the Surgery.

He enjoys continuity, getting to know individuals and families and thinking about lifestyle in the wider picture of health. He is known for his diligence and comforting manner. In a busy society, he believes that health must be bespoke and holistic and places weight on maintaining both physical and mental health.

Dr Bharat Pahilwani qualified from Imperial College London. His training has included a diverse range of medical specialties in leading London teaching hospitals. Bharat has a specialist interest in paediatrics, having trained at the Royal Alexander Children’s Hospital, as well as preventative and chronic disease management.

Bharat has been awarded an honorary clinical lecturer position at Imperial College London and takes a keen interest in medical education and training the next generation of Doctors.

He enjoys practicing across a breadth of healthcare problems ranging from acute emergencies working in Accident and Emergency, as well as chronic disease management through his work in general practice.

Dr Dhara Pannick qualified from Imperial College London in 2013. With 10 years of experience working as a doctor in London, Dr Dhara provides comprehensive and compassionate care to her patients. She is dedicated to providing a high-quality service to her patients and offering personalised treatment plans to meet their individual needs. In her current roles both in the NHS and as a private GP in London, Dr Dhara is committed to keeping up to date and offers a wide range of services, including health screenings and treatment for acute and chronic illnesses. She has supported many patients throughout their journeys with mental health problems both as a GP and during her time working in a Psychiatric ward.

Ashlie joined the practice in 2023 to develop the role of Nurse Associate. With 8 years experience in nursing and graduating as a Nursing Associate from Middlesex University, she brings a new range of patient focused services to the practice working closely with the Doctors team.