GP BUSINESS: IN PRACTICE WITH... Dr Mannan Shaikh, Sheffield - Every week we travel the UK to profile GPs and their practices. Debbie Andalo visits Sheffield.(Brief Article)(Interview)

How did you start in general practice?

I thought I was going to be a surgeon. A GP friend of mine in Liverpool asked me to do some locum work for him as he was going on holiday and I really enjoyed it. I liked the idea of being my own boss and being able to look after the patients fully rather than piecemeal. I started here in Sheffield in this practice replacing a single-handed GP who was retiring. I had 2,717 patients. In October, I will have been at the same practice for 34 years.

Tell us about life in your practice?

I have two practice nurses, secretaries and an administrator. I also have a midwife and counsellor attached to the practice, as well …