Our Staff

Doctors

DR GEORGE GARDNER

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MB BS (1996) London, BMedSci, DRCOG, DFFP, MRCGP.

Dr Gardner joined Litchdon Medical Centre in 2002. He is a Trainer for doctors on the North Devon GP Vocational Training Scheme. Dr Gardner works Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Dr Gardner is the senior partner at the practice.

DR ANGUS JEFFERIES

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MB BS (1998) London, BEng, DCH, DRCOG, MRCGP.

Dr Jefferies joined Litchdon medical centre in July 2005. He has a special interest in ophthalmology and is the practice diabetes lead, and executive partner who works closely with Sharon Bates the Management Partner to ensure the smooth running of the practice. He is also a trainer for doctors on the North Devon Vocational Training Scheme. Dr Jefferies works Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

DR SIMON JONES

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BSc, MB BS (1996) London, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP, DTM&H, DipClinEd, MRCGP

Dr Jones joined Litchdon Medical Centre in 2007. Dr Jones is a Trainer for doctors on the North Devon GP Vocational Training scheme and is also involved with training medical students. Dr Jones also has an interest in expedition and tropical medicine. Dr Jones works at Litchdon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

DR LUCY DALLIMORE

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MB ChB (1999) Bristol, DRCOG DFFP DTM+H MRCGP Loc IUT Loc SDI

Dr Dallimore has a special interest in sexual and reproductive healthcare and trains GPs in contraception. Dr Dallimore is the practice lead GP for child safeguarding. Dr Dallimore works Tuesday and Thursday.

DR SOPHIA ERDOZAIN

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BSc Hons, MB BS (2000) London, MRCS, DO-HNS, MRCGP, DFFP.

Dr Erdozain began working at Litchdon initally as a locum in 2011 and became a partner in 2012. Dr Erdozain trained as a surgeon specialising in Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) before becoming a GP in 2007. Dr Erdozain's clinical interest include minor surgery and end of life care. Dr Erdozain works Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

DR JESSICA PARKER

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BMedSci, BM.BS (2000) Nottingham, MRCP, MRCGP, DFFP.

Dr Parker joined Litchdon Medical Centre in August 2006. Dr Parker is the prescribing lead for the practice and works on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

DR HAZEL WARNER

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MB BS (2005) London, DCH, DFSRH, MRCGP.

Dr Warner joined Litchdon medical Centre in 2010. She is the lead GP for medical students. She is also the GP lead for Veterans. Dr Warner works on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

DR GUY COCKCROFT

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MB BS(2009) London, BSc (HONS), MRCGP

Dr Cockcroft joined the practice in 2014 and he is a Trainer for doctors on the North Devon GP Vocational Training Scheme. Dr Cockcroft works on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

DR EMILY MARSH

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MBChb (2010) Birmingham, DRCOG, MRCGP

Dr Marsh joined the practice in 2015 and she works on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

DR JAMES THORNTON

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MBBCh(2010) Cardiff, MRCGP

Dr Thornton joined the practice as a registrar and has become a Partner in September 2019. Dr Thornton works on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

DR PHIL WHATLING

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MBBS (2008), BSc (Hons) Anatomy & Developmental Biology (2004), MRCS, MRCGP

Dr Whatling relocated from London in 2017, having trained as a General Surgeon with a special interest in Renal Transplantation. For lifestyle reasons he decided to retrain as a GP in North Devon and worked at Litchdon as a registrar for 12 months before joining as a registered GP in 2020. He became a Partner of the Practice on 1/11/2021 and normally works on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. He has a special interest in Minor Surgery.

DR KEVIN MCEWAN

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MB BS (2018) London, Bsc (Hons.), MRCGP

Dr McEwan joined in 2024 after completing his GP training at Litchdon. He completed his medical degree at Guy's, King's and St. Thomas' then his foundation training in Oxford. He has an interest in medical education and is a GMC Associate examiner. Dr McEwan works Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

DR MIRANDA BRICE

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MBBS 2006 London. Ba (hons). MRCGP

Dr Brice works on Wednesday and Thursday and has been with the practice since 2014.

Nurses

Our Team of practice nurses and healthcare assistants are available for routine and some evening appointments, Monday to Friday. Practice nurses carry out a wide range of services such as dressings, vaccinations, cervical smears and weight loss advice. They work as an integral part of our Urgent Care Team and run our Diabetes, Asthma/COPD and Coronary Heart Disease Clinics.

GLENYS MCCARTHY

Nurse Team Manager - 30hrs

Glenys qualified in 1984 and specialised in acute bowel and urology surgery and stoma care for around 7 years, becoming deputy ward manager on an acute surgical ward. She then worked in Private Health care for 10 years across many specialities including endoscopy, day case surgery, gynaecology, orthopaedics, ophthalmics and urology. She became a Practice nurse in 2001 in a GP Practice in Truro and was there for 15 years until 2016. Glenys moved to North Devon and joined the Litchdon Nursing team in 2016 and has been the Nurse Manager since October 2018. Nurse team manager responsibilities: nurse rotas, annual leave, training, appraisals, policies and procedure update and recruitment, working closely with other head of departments and members of the management team. Area of work: Administration of nurse manager responsibilities/Child immunisation lead/Student Mentor/Cervical screening/Treatment room duties.

TINA SOMMERVILLE

Diabetic Specialist Nurse/Long Term Conditions Lead - 22.5hrs

Tina qualified in 1988 and initially worked on a gynaecology ward for a few months before going to South Molton Community Hospital. She did her District Nurse training in 1991 and went on to be a Sister on the District until 2007. Tina always had an interest in Long term conditions, especially in diabetes so became a Diabetes Specialist Nurse at NDDH for 5 years before heading back to South Molton to become lead Practice Nurse until she started work at Litchdon Medical Centre in 2013. Tina is also a Nurse Prescriber and is very experienced diabetes nurse. Area of work: Nurse prescriber/Long term conditions lead (excluding respiratory)/Diabetes/CHD/CVF/CKD/Hypertension management/Student Assessor.

PAULA TOWNING

Treatment Room Nurse - 16hrs

Paula qualified in 2006 and has worked in Northam Surgery and in Weymouth before moving back to North Devon and started at Litchdon Medical Centre in 2010. Prior to qualifying as a nurse Paula's roles included being a dinner lady, classroom assistant, Care Home worker and a Phlebotomist. Area of work: Treatment room duties/Student Assessor/Cervical screening/Wound care/Doppler assessment/Child immunisation/Travel Health/Phlebotomy/Urine testing etc.

ALAN BOND

Deputy Nurse Manager/Treatment Room Nurse/Respiratory/Diabetes 32hrs

Alan qualified in 2005 in Blackpool initially working as a respiratory nurse before relocating back to his beloved Northern Ireland where he worked as a community and rehabilitation nurse. In 2010 he moved back to Blackpool working as a District nurse and progressed to District Nurse Manager before moving to North Devon. Alan has been at Litchdon Medical Centre since 2017 and has a special interest in respiratory and diabetes. Area of work: Nurse Prescriber/Respiratory (COPD and asthma), Diabetes and CHD/Treatment room duties/Student Mentor/Wound care/Doppler assessment/Child immunisation/Travel Health/Phlebotomy/Urine testing etc.

LAURA WILLIAMS

Urgent Care Team (UCT) Nurse - 20hrs

Laura qualified in 2009 in Southampton and has worked in a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Medical Admissions and has more recently enjoyed working on the Community and with the Lymphoedema Service. Laura Joined the Nursing team at Litchdon in January 2020 to work in the Urgent Care department. From January 2022 Area of work: Urgent Care Team nurse working alongside the G.P's carrying out telephone triage, dealing with urgent health enquiries and treating minor illness and minor injuries/Student Assessor/Wound care.

ALISON KEDWARD

Nurse Specialist - 16hrs

Alison has worked in the NHS since 1983. She completed her Registered Nurse training at Southampton and has worked in both Hospital and Community working in General Medicine and specialising in Cardiac Care. Prior to moving to North Devon Alison worked in Worcester in proactive care visiting patients with frailty at home providing for acute illness helping people maintain wellbeing and independence in their own home. Alison joined the team at Litchdon in May 2021 and is continuing to work in her areas of special interest. Area of work: Nurse prescriber/Long term conditions/Cardiovascular/heart failure/respiratory.

VERITY RICKARD

Treatment Room Nurse - 20hrs

Verity qualified in 2019 from Plymouth University and worked as a Community nurse in North Devon for 2 years before joining the Litchdon nursing team in December 2021. Verity was on placement here as a student and always wanted to come back as she loved her placement so much. Before her nurse training she worked at Exmoor Zoo and was a community carer. Areas of work: Treatment room duties.

SARAH WHITTLE

Urgent Care Team (UCT) Nurse/ANP - 16hrs

Sarah qualified in Birmingham in 1986 and worked in Medical admissions until she moved back home to Bristol where she was a manager on a ward for care of older people. After this she managed a multidisciplinary community team for adults with disabilities. She then worked as a Community Matron in a variety of inner-city areas working alongside the respiratory team and the British lung foundation to support people with pulmonary rehabilitation. Sarah then worked across Primary Care in dementia and safeguarding lead roles and onto be Clinical lead for Community nursing. More recently she has worked as a Nurse Practitioner in a GP Practice between Bath and Bristol. Sarah joined the nursing team at Litchdon in May 2022 to work in UCT after moving to North Devon with her family. Area of work: Nurse prescriber/UCT nurse working alongside the GP's carrying out telephone triage, dealing with urgent health enquiries and treating minor illness and minor injuries.

CHLOE DOBSON

Treatment Room Nurse - 34hrs

Chloe qualified in 2021 from Plymouth University and worked as a Theatre Nurse at North Devon District Hospital for 8 months before deciding to move into Primary care when she joined the Litchdon team in May 2022. Chloe worked as the Nurse Receptionist at Litchdon in 2016, leaving to be a Health Care Assistant at NDDH. She then went onto do her nurse training and is delighted to be back with the Litchdon team. Area of work: Treatment room duties/Wound care/Doppler assessment/Child immunisation/Travel Health/Phlebtomy/Urine testing etc.

ANNA CREDGINGTON

Diabetes/Women's Health Nurse -26hrs

Anna qualified in Wales in 1994 where she spent nearly 20 years working in orthopaedics and trauma alongside raising her family. She relocated to Cornwall in 2012 and worked as a Community nurse before moving into Practice Nursing a year later. Anna has been a Practice nurse in Bideford for the last 9 years where she specialised in diabetes with an interest in long-term conditions. Anna started work at Litchdon Medical Centre in August 2022 and will spread her time between the care of patients with diabetes and Women's Sexual health. Area of work: Long term conditions including diabetes/CVD/CKD/hypertension management/Cervical screening/contraception/sexual health.

NATALIE BONDS

Respiratory Nurse - 8hrs

Natalie qualified from Plymouth University in 2008 with a Dip He Adult Nursing qualification and converted this to a BSc Honours Degree in Health Studies in 2010. Natalie started her career on an Elective orthopaedic and private ward leaving there to work at as a Practice Nurse and a Community Nurse in 2 local surgeries. During her time as a practice nurse, she was the lead nurse for baby immunisations and research and carried out treatment room nurse duties and respiratory clinics, obtaining a diploma is Asthma and COPD management. After 5 years in Primary care, she returned to Secondary care and specialised as a Tissue Viability Nurse for the last 8 years, where she attained her Independent Nurse Prescribers qualification. Natalie has a passion for health education and supporting others. Natalie started at Litchdon in January 2023 Area of work: Respiratory.

YVETTE ROULSTONE

Nurse Practitioner/Urgent Care Team Nurse 26 hrs

Yvette Jones Nurse Practitioner/Urgent Care Team Nurse 26hrs Yvette qualified in 2013 and began her nursing career working in the Royal Brompton Hospital in London in the high dependency unit caring for children with complex cardiac and respiratory conditions. She relocated to Bristol to work in Bristol Childrens hospital in the emergency unit and PICU, developing skills in triage, resuscitation and trauma. From here she came back to the Southwest and was in post in Exeter emergency department working as a sister and nurse practitioner studying at master’s level to increase her scope to adult care. Yvette joined the nursing team at Litchdon in September to gain experience in Urgent care provided for Primary care patients and increase her learning. As well as working for the NHS, Yvette joined the register for UK Med front line humanitarian medical NGO. Deploying to disease outbreaks and climate emergencies across the globe. Area of work: Nurse Practitioner/UCT nurse working alongside the GP’s carrying out telephone triage, dealing with urgent health enquiries and treating minor illness and minor injuries.

KATHRYN TAYLOR

UCT Nurse - 22hrs

Kathryn qualified in 2009 and worked in the Elective Orthopaedic ward at NDDH, before going travelling and having the opportunity to have a short time working in a Cambodian school where she tended to children's foot wounds. She then travelled to Sydney where she cared for polytrauma patients on a Trauma Orthopaedic ward. Upon returning, her focus has been predominantly with patients having had, or awaiting surgery. Working in Theatre Admissions Unit in Sheffield and then onto Pre-Assessment, she undertook a 10 month course to become a Nurse Practitioner. Kathryn then relocated to Southampton whereby she continued her role as Nurse Practitioner within pre-assessment, working alongside Anaesthetists whilst also managing the ward on a day-to-day basis. Kathryn has now returned home to Devon and is part of the Urgent Care Team, this is a new role for her. Area of work: Nurse Practitioner/UCT nurse working alongside the GP's carrying out telephone triage, dealing with urgent health enquiries and treating minor illness and minor injuries.

Healthcare Assistants

Our healthcare assistants undertake a number of procedures including finger-prick INR testing, smoking cessation advice and clinics, blood tests, ECGs, and blood pressure readings.

HELEN GRAY

HCA Long Term Conditions/Phlebotomist - 34hrs

Helen has been a Health Care Assistant for nearly 20 years, having worked in a nursing home, the district nursing team and in General practice. Helen started work at Litchdon in 2010 and has a specialist interest in diabetes, cardiac disease and hypertension. She works with, and closely supports the Nurse Specialist team looking after patients with long term conditions. Area of work: Supporting role to LTC team/LTC assessment clinics/diabetic foot check and referral/BP clinic/Home BP monitoring and referral/phlebotomy/urine testing etc.

MARTINE BISSETT

Phlebotomist - 18hrs

Area of work: Phlebotomy/INR Star/Urine testing/HBPM calculations etc.

CHARLENE WILTON

Phlebotomist - 20hrs

Area of work: Phlebotomy/INR Star/Urine testing/HBPM calculations/BP etc.

Practice Management

SHARON BATES

Management Partner

Sharon is our Practice Manager. She joined the Practice in June 2014. She started her career working at Litchdon Medical Centre in the late eighties and then worked at the North Devon District Hospital for the last 20 years so has spent all of her working life in healthcare services. The Practice Manager is responsible for the smooth running of the Practice, making sure that systems, staff, equipment and finances are all in place to provide a high quality service to our patients.

Healthcare Administration Team

Our staff members that work in the Healthcare Administration team are made up of Healthcare Administrators and Healthcare Administration Support. They are the first contact point for the practice and take incoming phone calls and greet patients on the helpdesk in the main reception area. The Healthcare Administrators are linked to their own GP or GPs and deal with all their admin. This is an extremely busy department dealing with booking or changing appointments, signposting patients, and dealing with tasks from clinical staff. The Healthcare Administration Support also do admin work including helping the Nursing Team with their rotas and paperwork.

Support Administration Team

The Support Office for the practice includes the Secretarial Group who deal with sending off GP referrals and typing letters to patients and other clinicians. We have staff members that invite and ensure that patients come in for their routine checks on time and have bloods taken regularly when needed. The support office also deals with ensuring all specified patients are correctly invited for annual flu vaccinations and other immunisations when needed. We also have our Clinical Administration staff members who focus on all incoming post received from hospitals and other clinical organisations. They ensure that the patients records are correctly coded with new diagnosis and ensure any follow up action needed by the GP or medication changes are distributed to the correct clinician of group.

Finance, HR & IT Team

This team supports the smooth running of the practice and day to day operations.

Dispensary

Our dispensary team are made up of Dispensers and Prescription Advisors who deal with all incoming medication queries and repeat requests from patients. They work closely with the GPs and Nursing staff regarding queries on medications and they ensure repeat requests are correctly sent to the patient’s allocated chemist.

Hygiene and Maintenance

We have a dedicated Hygiene and Maintenance Team who ensure all areas and rooms in the Practice are spotlessly clean. We have 3 Caretakers who ensure the building is secure, deal with waste collection, utilities, and stock control. We have a maintenance member who carries out repairs and decorates the practice.

Pharmacy Team

Barnstaple Alliance offers NHS Pharmacy Team. The team works with each practice by reviewing and changing patient's medication when needed. They can help with medication queries and help to find alternate medication if there are any issues with medication stock.

Community Midwives

The midwife team from NDDH will care for you throughout your pregnancy and at home after you have had your baby. They also offer a choice on place of birth whether it be in the hospital or at home. If you need to contact them please call the Labour Ward on 01271 322605 which offers a 24 hour service.

Community Nurses

The community nurses care for patients in their own homes. To be referred to the community nurses if you are housebound and unable to get in to the practice, please contact the practice; or if you are already being seen by that nursing team and need to discuss anything with them their direct telephone number is 078245 61032.

Health Visitors

A health visitor is a registered nurse who has received training particularly related to babies, children and pregnant women. Their role is to provide families with children under five years old with support and advice around the general aspects of mental, physical and social wellbeing. Health Visitor contact number - 0333 234 1904

Hospice Care Nurses

The nurses are based at Deer Park Hospice in Newport, Barnstaple and liaise closely with the GPs and Nurses. The Hospice has a bedded unit, day care facilities and a team of nurses who see patients and families in their own homes. Telephone: 01271 344248

First Contact Physio Team

Barnstaple Alliance offers NHS physiotherapy. This service provides advice and treatment for the improvement of musculoskeletal problems.

Wellbeing Team BA

Our Wellbeing Team consists of a Link Workers and Connectors. The role of the Wellbeing Team is to support patients who have social and economic problems. They seek to address patient's needs in a holistic way and aim to encourage patients to look after their own physical and mental health. The Wellbeing Link Workers work with patients who have more complex issues, such as mental health, bereavement, money matters and much more.