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Professor Dame Clare Gerada
Hurley Group Congratulates Professor Dame Clare Gerada, on her appointment as a Life Peer in the House of Lords
The Hurley Group is proud to announce the appointment of Professor Dame Clare Gerada, who will become Baroness Gerada once she is formally introduced, as a Life Peer in the House of Lords in recognition of her outstanding service to medicine and mental health.
Dame Clare has dedicated her professional life to improving the wellbeing of health and care professionals and advancing compassionate, patient centred care. Initially training in psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital before becoming a GP in South London, she has combined clinical practice with visionary leadership across multiple roles within the UK’s healthcare system in UK healthcare.
Since 1991, Dame Clare has been the senior GP Partner at the Hurley Clinic. Originally a single practice, the Hurley Group has expanded, and now provides care to 150,000 patients across London. The Hurley Group specialises in transforming struggling practices where recruiting and retaining GPs is challenging, and has become one of London's largest providers of general practice.
From 2008 to 2020, NHS Practitioner Health (PH), under the leadership of Dame Clare, became the largest confidential service in the UK that supports health and care professionals with mental health and addiction challenges. As of By 2025, the service has will have provided care to over 40,000 healthcare staff across England and Scotland. The service has received multiple mental health awards and recognition nationally and internationally.
Dame Clare has also introduced a series of pioneering initiatives, including a European Provider Network, a UK-wide research network, a patient and volunteer advisory group, a national competency framework and curriculum for health staff (Health for Health Professionals), and a support group for those bereaved by the suicide of a colleague.
Dame Clare’s dedication to providing a space for underrepresented/ under supported groups is showcased by her establishment of the NHS Primary Care Gambling Service in 2019, which provides early intervention and accessible support for individuals experiencing gambling-related harms
In 2019, Dame Clare established the NHS Primary Care Gambling Service. Dame Clare recognised the importance of early intervention and accessible support for individuals experiencing gambling-related harms, and played a pivotal role in establishing the PCGS.
This has been accomplished by forging strong partnerships with the third sector, community groups, and lived experience networks. The Notably, PCGS was awarded the GP Mental Health Service Award in (2022) recognition of its innovative approach towards supporting individuals impacted by gambling-related harm. Moving forward, Dame Clare will continue to focus on strengthening collaboration across the wider support and treatment network. She will also prioritise online gaming harms to ensure a comprehensive and forward-looking innovative system of care. Her ongoing commitment to building a joined-up, holistic, patient-centred approach will create a more accessible, resilient, and responsive system that is fit for the future.
A former Chair (2010–2013) and later President (2021–2023) of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), Dame Clare has also served as co-chair of the NHS Assembly and led the development of a registered charity, Doctors in Distress, dedicated to eradicating stigma, changing cultures and promoting good leadership to lower suicide rates amongst healthcare workers.
Her advocacy for clinician wellbeing has reshaped the conversation around mental health in the medical and wider profession, helping to destigmatise vulnerability, burnout, and recovery among health and care workers. In 2020, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to mental health and the NHS. Her elevation to the House of Lords in 2025 as Dame Clare is a fitting acknowledgement of her enduring contribution to healthcare and public service.
Once she has been formally introduced to the House of Lords and become Baroness Gerada, she will continue her role as a GP Partner of the Hurley Group, Medical Director of the National Primary Care Gambling Service and as an Ambassador for NHS Practitioner Health.
Rylla Baker, Chief Executive of the Hurley Group, said
“The Hurley Group recognises Dame Clare as an extraordinary force for good within the NHS. She shows compassion, courage, and unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of both patients and healthcare professionals.
Through her visionary leadership and advocacy, she has set a new benchmark for compassionate, human centred leadership across healthcare.”
Ben Shankland, GP and Hurley Group Partner, said
“Clare is an inspiration to everyone who works with her. We are incredibly fortunate and honoured to have her as one of our partners. She is an outstanding GP loved by her patients, a courageous and passionate leader, and a gifted communicator.
Her intellect, drive, and unwavering dedication to both patients and professionals have enabled her to repeatedly identify unmet needs, inspire change, and develop innovative solutions that make a real difference, improving lives on a national scale.”
Lucy Warner, Chief Executive of NHS Practitioner Health, said
“At Practitioner Health, we are immensely proud of what Clare has achieved in her career, as well as her continual dedication to her profession and the wider workforce. Thanks to her determination and drive, thousands of clinicians have been helped, and many careers and lives have been saved.
We know Dame Clare will continue to push forward the agenda that our workforce is the driving force of the NHS, and that healthy and happy staff will bring about the best results for all of us..”
Dr Emma Ryan, GP Lead for the Primary Care Gambling Service, said
"This well-deserved honour recognises Clare’s decades of progressive leadership in primary care. Her vision helped establish the Primary Care Gambling Service, improving the support and treatment available for those experiencing gambling harms.
Her experience will be invaluable in advancing system-wide improvements and fostering innovation going forward.”
Published: Oct 22, 2025