Meet our People: Dr. Matthew Piccaver

We are proud to shine a spotlight on Dr. Matthew Piccaver, our Lead GP for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, whose dedication to patient care goes far beyond the consultation room. His passion for helping people better understand and manage their health has led to an incredible achievement – publishing not one, but two books for patients and families. At HUC, we celebrate his commitment to improving healthcare by giving people the knowledge they need to make informed choices.

His first book, Everything Your GP Doesn’t Have Time to Tell You About Arthritis, takes on one of the UK’s most common chronic conditions. Rather than focusing solely on medication, Dr. Piccaver explores the full picture, from understanding osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis to the vital role of exercise, lifestyle, and diet in easing symptoms. “The goal is to give people back some control. When you understand your options, you can make better choices for your own health” he says.

The second published book, Dementia: Everything Your Doctor Doesn’t Have Time to Tell You, is both practical and deeply compassionate. It explains the different types of dementia, but just as importantly, it looks at how families can cope day-to-day, from home safety tips to essential legal planning like setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney. It also speaks directly to carers, whose needs are so often overlooked. “Caring for someone with dementia is both a privilege and a huge challenge, this book is for them as much as it’s for the patient” Dr. Piccaver says.

Together, these guides form part of an ongoing mission to make medical knowledge clear, practical, and empowering. “I can’t make an appointment last longer than ten minutes,” Dr. Piccaver says, “but I can make sure patients leave with the information they need, even if they have to read it at home with a cup of tea.”

A big well done on this achievement and thank you to Dr Piccaver for sharing these insights.