Meet Dr Julie Hammond: Women’s health and Mental Health Advocate
- MBBS, MRCGP, BSc (Hons), DRCOG
- Portfolio GP
- Women’s health and Mental Health Advocate
- NHS Clinical Entrepreneur
- Trustee & DEI Lead at West Kent Mind
- Health Governor for Kent Community NHS Foundation Trust
- Associate NED for Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership
- Founder of MamAR
- Founder of Dr Hammond Aesthetics
Dr Julie Hammond is a portfolio GP, health advocate, and innovator, and she has made it her mission to tackle health inequalities and ensure underserved communities receive the care they deserve. Her journey has not been without its challenges, but each adversity has fuelled her determination to drive meaningful change.
Dr Hammond’s path into medicine was anything but straightforward. She was diagnosed with dyslexia as a medical student, which made navigating the rigorous demands of medical education and exams an uphill battle. Dyslexia forced her to develop new ways of learning, adapting in ways her peers did not have to and pushing herself beyond what was expected. However, rather than see it as a limitation, she turned it into a strength. She found that her learning difference helped her to build resilience, problem-solving skills, and gifted her with a unique ability to think outside the box. These qualities that have defined her approach to healthcare innovation and advocacy, as she thrives to ensure that accessibility and inclusivity remain at the heart of her work.
Her passion for maternity care is deeply personal. She suffered a devastating pregnancy loss at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a heartbreaking experience, but what struck her most was how many other Black women faced similar, if not worse, outcomes. The disproportionate statistics affecting black women were undeniable and it was clear that something had to change.
Determined to be part of that change, Dr Hammond became a Core20PLUS5 Ambassador for NHS England and joined the Kent and Medway LMNS Equity and Equality Stakeholder Group. She has since been working on projects to improve postnatal care, including co-developing a new assessment tool for GP postnatal checks, designed to make appointments more efficient and focused on what matters most to new mothers. She is also helping to build a database of inclusive postpartum support groups, ensuring that every mother, regardless of her background, has access to the resources she needs.
Dr Hammond’s advocacy work extends beyond maternal care. She has long been dedicated to raising awareness to support the health of the Afro-Caribbean community and reduce the gap in health inequalities experienced by this community. As a Steering Group Member for the London Inspire Programme, she spearheaded the Black Health Matters campaign for Black History Month in 2023 and 2024, to raise awareness of the conditions disproportionately affecting Afro-Caribbean communities. She also brought forth the idea of the Black Health Inequalities Summit, which brought together over 480 healthcare leaders and professionals to develop tangible solutions for tackling racial health disparities. The 2025 summit, which she is helping organise, is scheduled to take place on 26th March 2025, and is set to have record attendance. To further her influence, she has a monthly health column in The Voice Newspaper (British national African-Caribbean newspaper).
Mental health is another area where she is making a real difference, as a trustee at the West Kent Mind, she has taken up the role of Chair for the DEI subcommittee. She is committed to promoting and enhancing access to affordable counselling services for those in need of high-quality mental health support. Through her advocacy efforts, she has created a DEI policy and action plan, and she aims to eliminate barriers to counselling and psychotherapy, advancing the mission of equitable access to mental health support.
She is a member of the BMA EDI Advisory Group where she plays a role in shaping national policies that support greater diversity and representation in medicine. She has written articles for the BMA for Black History Month, highlighting the invaluable contributions of Black professionals to medicine and continues to push for systemic reforms that create a more inclusive healthcare workforce.
Dr Hammond is also at the forefront of digital health innovation. She secured a spot on the prestigious NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, where she is developing MamAR (www.mamarhealth.com), an app designed to revolutionise pregnancy and postnatal education. The app is built with inclusivity in mind, offering support for neurodiverse users and those from multilingual backgrounds, making sure health literacy is accessible to everyone. She is also working on her first book about the fourth trimester, which is set for publication in 2026.
In addition to her medical and advocacy work, she is a Kent Community NHS Foundation Trust Health Governor, where she helps shape organisational policies to ensure healthcare services are fair and inclusive. She also sits on the nomination subcommittee, helping to select and appoint leaders who are committed to driving meaningful change in the NHS.
Outside of medicine, Dr Hammond is a successful aesthetics practitioner. She founded Dr Hammond Aesthetics in 2018, and she has a loyal client base and outstanding reviews. Her clinic focuses on natural-looking results and patient safety, offering treatments that help clients look and feel their best.
Her work has not gone unnoticed. She has won multiple awards, including the National B.A.M.E. Health and Care Award for Health and Wellbeing Champion, the Primary Care Professional Award at the Black Healthcare Awards, and the Rising Star in Healthcare Award from WeAreTheCity. These honours are a testament to her impact, proving that real change happens when lived experience, expertise, and advocacy come together.
Dr Hammond is at the beginning of her journey. She remains relentless in her mission to challenge inequalities, push boundaries, and advocate for a healthcare system that truly serves everyone. Whether through policy, innovation, or direct patient care, she is committed to ensuring that healthcare is equitable, inclusive, and accessible to all.
To follow Dr Hammond’s ongoing work in healthcare transformation and equity advocacy, visit her website at www.drjuliegp.com.
