Dr Onkar Sahota who worked as a full-time GP most of his life is one of the five new elects to join the London Assembly. Dr Onkar began his career as a General Practitioner and runs three surgeries in the Ealing area. During his long time commitment to the NHS and the Primary Care Trust, Dr Sahota had keen interest in patients’ issues beyond physical symptoms. After winning the elections, he stated that working with patients for many years made him aware of social realities, which prompted him to enter politics as a Labour member for Ealing and Hillingdon.
Having always worked in the public sector, the NHS played a key role in his political success by supporting him and funding part of his campaign. Despite his new role as a member of the London Assembly, Dr Sahota says that he will continue to work twice a week as a GP, to make sure that he stays in touch with reality and people in his community.
Dr Sahota nurtured interest in politics from the very beginning of his professional career prior to medical school, but believed that time and experience was needed before he could veer into politics with Labour Party to represent the community at the Assembly.
As a member of his community and a Healthcare professional, Sahota conveyed his concerns on the Health and Social Care Bill and the consequences, which would have resulted in the closure of the A&E service, a move which he believes would have had damaging effects on the locals. Thanks to his involvement with local life, Dr Sahonka successfully represented locals’ interests and concerns during the campaign and defeated Conservative Councillor Richard Barnes.
When asked about his early interest in politics, Dr Sahoka referred to his time at London Business School where he received executive education in Economics, stating that Health science was never his only interest even as a student. After graduating, he centred his focus on ethics as he wanted to be part of his community, therefore, his new role at the Assembly is a logical step in his career and an opportunity for him to take action and makes the right changes. His main concerns for the future are the repercussions of austerity and budget cuts on the quality of life of Londoners and hopes to save Ealing Hospital, as well as his community the best way he can.
For more information about Dr. Sahoka or Executitve education, visit https://www.london.edu/
