Why I Founded Cornerstone GP Services
I’ll admit it — I’ve always had a bit of a rebellious streak.
It’s not that I dislike working in structured systems. In fact, I’ve spent over a decade committed to the NHS and police forensic services, systems where structure and consistency are paramount. But I also believe that true innovation — and better care — comes when professionals are given autonomy to act in the best interests of the people they serve.
Around a year ago, I reached a crossroads. I could have comfortably continued in my roles within NHS general practice and police healthcare, doing what I knew well and serving patients within large, established organisations. It was secure, it was respected, and for many, it would have been enough.
But something inside me kept asking: “Is there more I can do?”
I found myself increasingly frustrated by the barriers that patients face when trying to access timely care. I was having consultations with people who needed blood tests, scans or referrals — only to have to tell them I couldn’t offer it, or that they'd need to go through their own GP. Even where I was able to offer a referral, there would be weeks (or months) of waiting for something that should be simple.
That didn’t sit right with me.
It made me think: What if I could build a service where patients could bypass the red tape? Where they could get expert care, advice, and peace of mind quickly — even from the comfort of their own home? That thought eventually became Cornerstone GP Services.
A New Way to Care
I founded Cornerstone to offer a streamlined, human-centred alternative to the often overstretched NHS system — not in competition with it, but to support it. My aim was simple: affordable, direct, trustworthy healthcare for patients when they need it most.
Unlike secondary care or hospital services, general practice doesn’t rely on expensive infrastructure. It’s relationship-based, advice-focused, and ideally suited to a direct-to-patient model. That meant I could keep my services low-cost while offering a high level of personal care.
The idea wasn’t just about medicine — it was about access. About cutting through the clutter. About giving people the option to speak to a qualified GP who actually had time to listen. Whether it was women’s health, skin conditions, infections, mental health concerns or simply a second opinion, I wanted to be available for it.
The Joy and Strain of Starting Something New
Starting Cornerstone has been exhilarating and terrifying in equal measure. The autonomy is wonderful: being able to decide how to spend, who to reach, how to market, and what direction the company should take. But that autonomy comes with weight. Every risk is personal. Every decision feels like it matters.
I’ve pounded pavements, handed out leaflets, rewritten ads, tried every angle of digital marketing. Some days feel like small victories. Others feel like nothing is working. But I’ve learned that building something of value takes time — and faith.
Three months in, we’ve had our first handful of clients, and each interaction reminds me why I started. These aren’t just patients — they’re people with real concerns, grateful for the simplicity and clarity we provide.
And this is just the beginning.
A Vision for the Future
In time, I hope to grow our reach and our team. I hope Cornerstone will be a home not just for patients, but for GPs who are passionate about working flexibly, ethically, and independently. There’s a strange contradiction in UK healthcare right now — we have both a shortage of doctors in the NHS and GPs who are under- or unemployed. That mismatch needs fixing.
Cornerstone won’t solve the NHS crisis — but it might be part of the solution. If even a small number of people can access the care they need sooner, or find relief through a quick consultation that doesn’t clog up urgent care systems, then we’ve done something worthwhile.
I still work in the NHS. I still support police services. But this new path — my own path — is where I can make the biggest impact. And I’m just getting started.
Thank you for reading.