Image: Mike Browne
DoCtorS in the houSe
Annice Mukherjee and Simon Taggart on call for their patients and their family Dr Annice Mukherjee, an endocrine specialist and Dr Simon Taggart, a chest physician, are a medical consultant duo living in Hale. They juggle packed work schedules consulting for Spire Manchester, Hale Clinic and the NHS with a busy family life with their two children. Although always on-the-go, this husband and wife partnership stay organised to make it work. how did you both meet? Annice On the vascular surgery ward at Withington Hospital in 1990, when Simon was a newly qualified doctor and I was a medical student. Simon was a little slow in asking me out as he thought I was already dating one of the other medical students!
Can you explain your specialisms? Annice I specialise in anything and everything to do with hormones. This ranges from thyroid, to menopause and bone health to weight management. I run a dedicated fatigue service because fatigue is so common with hormone issues. Simon I am a chest specialist and physician. I manage many common lung problems such as coughs, breathlessness, chest infections and many others! I also treat medical complications after surgical procedures and work closely with surgeons to improve patient care during and after their operations.
typically, who are your patients? Simon They come from every background from all over the North West. Some even travel from other countries to see me. Often they come to see me on the recommendation of other patients. Many are referred by their specialists and GPs, whom I have come to know well over 15 years of private practice. Annice I see patients of all ages and from all walks of life. Many of my patients come to me through word of mouth recommendations, which is the ultimate compliment!
Where do you consult? Simon My main weekly clinic is at Spire Manchester Hospital where I can arrange on-the-spot scans and other tests if needed. I am also able to see patients at the Hale Clinic which is very convenient for many people. Next year, I will move my practice to the new Spire Manchester hospital currently being built in West Didsbury, which will be fantastic for our patients as it will be a modern state of the art hospital with all the facilities our patients deserve. Annice My weekly clinic is at Hale and my monthly is at Spire Manchester Hospital. I can’t wait for the new hospital to open!
how do you balance busy work schedules with family life? Simon I rely completely on Annice to manage our home life, even though she has her own hectic work life! She runs the house, organises our children AJ and Anna’s busy schedules and sorts out all our holidays! She is amazing. I am in charge of the gardening, DIY and general maintenance, which I really enjoy. We always make a point to have Sunday lunch and supper together as a family. That’s the best part of my week! Annice We try to work as a team. Simon is great with the kids. But Simon is very busy, so when I travel with work I always ask my mum or in-laws to help with the children, because we never know when Simon will be called to an emergency! What’s the best thing about being married to someone working in the same field? Simon I think we have a unique understanding of one another’s stresses, strains and priorities, and that puts us in a good position to support each other. We share many friends and similar interests in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Annice Yes we always have lots to talk about!
Spire Manchester hospital 0161 232 2303 – www.spiremanchester.com
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