Our Staff

Doctors

DR LOUISE BOND

Partner - MB BS BSc (MRCGP)06 DFFP DRCOG DCH - GMC Number - 6029217

Louise graduated from Imperial Medical School (previously Charing Cross and Westminster), in 2001 having also achieved a BSc. in Physiology. She always planned to become a GP and moved to Barnstaple in 2002. Louise has an interest in women’s health and runs a women’s health clinic on Monday mornings, open to all female patients in the practice. Louise job shares with Dr Suzanne Smit. Outside of work Louise enjoys spending time with her family and relaxing with her friends. She is also married to another local GP.

DR TIM CHESWORTH

Partner - MB ChB MRCS MRCGP - GMC Number 4500092

After graduating from Bristol University in 1998, Tim initially trained in general surgery before finally seeing the light, and changing to general practice. Tim is currently the executive or managing partner, supporting our practice manager in strategic planning and the day to day running of the practice. He also represents the practice at the Barnstaple Alliance and the Local Medical Committee and works one session a week as a Medical Examiner. Outside of work Tim enjoys keeping fit by swimming, cycling and running.

DR THOMAS HARRY CORMACK

Partner - MB BS - GMC Number 7134429

Harry graduated from the University of London in 2011. He became a Partner at Brannams in 2020. His interests include care of the elderly and training of medical students and trainee doctors.

DR MELANIE DEACON

Partner - MB MRCP DRCOG DFSRH - GMC Number 6051351

After graduating from Southampton in 2002, Melanie embarked on her GP training, working in the Southwest of England and Australia. She joined Brannam in 2008 for her registrar year and continued with the team becoming a salaried doctor. She became a Partner in 2010 and now job shares with Dr Miranda Coberman. As research lead for Brannam she encourages the involvement of patients and staff in General Practice based studies via the National Institute for Health Research. Outside of work Melanie likes travel and making the most of the Devonshire countryside and beaches with her husband and two young daughters.

DR OLIVER HASSALL

Partner - MB BS MA SPH PhD MRCGP - GMC Number 4331672

Oliver did a zoology degree before studying medicine and trained as a GP in Australia, Liverpool and South Molton. While a research fellow, he lived and worked in Kenya and has a PhD from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. He is a clinical director of the Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care Network and has particular interests in population health and health inequalities. Oliver job shares his list of patients with Dr Simon Stacey and when his other commitments demand it he is covered by our excellent salaried and locum doctors. Outside of work, Oliver enjoys having fun outdoors.

DR CLARE HOLLISTER

Partner - MBCHB DCH DRCOG DFFP MRCGP - GMC Number 6102905

Clare graduated from Bristol University Medical School in 2004. She worked abroad in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa before starting GP training. Clare has worked at Brannam Medical centre since 2013 as a salaried GP, becoming a partner in 2023 and job shares with Dr Sarah Street. She does monthly homeless outreach clinics at the Freedom Centre and also has a special interest in women's health.

DR UJJWOL JOSHI

Partner - MB BS - GMC Number - 7447331

Joshi graduated from Kathmandu Medical College in Nepal and did some rural medicine in Nepal before coming to the UK to do his MSc Public Health. He then worked in ICU/Anaesthetics and then A&E at Royal Berkshire Hospital before deciding to train as a General Practitioner. Joshi then trained in North Devon and completed his MRCGP in 2021. In his leisure time, Joshi likes going for walks and explore the coast with his family.

DR EDWARD MATTHEWS

Partner - MB BS BSc MRCGP - GMC Number 6130011

Ed went to medical school in London, qualifying in 2005 and joined the practice in September 2010. When not at work, Ed is happier doing something outdoors, accompanied by his dog, Piccalilli.

DR AMY PARKINSON

Partner - MB ChB MRCGP DRCOG DCH PGCertClinEd MAcadMedEd HEA - GMC Number 7130345

After graduating from the University of Birmingham in 2011, Amy worked as an A&E registrar in Australia for a few years. Amy completed her GP training in North Devon, and has additional postgraduate qualifications in Paediatrics, Teaching and Obstetrics & Gynaecology. She joined the Brannam team as a Partner in 2018. Amy is the North Devon Training Programme Director and takes an active part in teaching our future GP's through the local training scheme. Outside of work Amy enjoys travelling, walking near her home at Exmoor, gardening, kayaking, playing piano and spending time with her young family.

DR SUZANNE SMIT

Partner - MB ChB DRCOG DFFP MRCS MRCGP - GMC Number 4582296

Suzanne graduated from university in South Africa in 1998 and joined our busy team in October 2010. Suzanne specialises in women’s health, obesity and ENT and job shares with Dr Louise Bond. Outside of work Suzanne enjoys running, hiking, reading and watching rugby. She is married to a GP and they have two children.

DR SIMON STACEY

DR SARAH STREET

Partner - BSc MB/BChir MRCGP - GMC Number 6163124

Sarah was brought up in Barnstaple and went on to study Biochemistry at Sheffield University. She then worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 4 years before deciding on a career change into medicine. She graduated from Cambridge University in 2007 and completed her GP training in the Bath area. Now married with 2 young children she has made the move back to North Devon to be nearer family and the sea. Sarah job shares with Dr Jackie Tolhurst. Outside of work Sarah enjoys spending time with her husband and children as well as trying to keep fit through surfing and running with her dog.

Advanced Practitioners

Within our Emergency on the Day Team, we have Nurse Practitioners (NP) and Paramedic Practitioners (PP) working alongside the Duty GP assessing and managing acute presentations that require urgent attention. The NP's and PP's are all registered nurses or paramedics and have undertaken advanced training to work autonomously and prescribe medication.

ANDREA STANLEY

MSc - Team Lead

Andrea graduated from Coventry University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Adult Nursing and Paramedic Science, meaning she is qualified to practice in both professions. In 2022, Andrea completed a Master's (MSc) degree from University of the West of England (Bristol) in Advanced Clinical Practice. Andrea joined Brannams in 2019 and works three days a week in the Emergency On The Day Team. Prior to this, Andrea was a Specialist Paramedic with South Western Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SWAST) and has a background of being an Accident and Emergency Staff Nurse in Barnstaple. Andrea occasionally works as a Paramedic with SWAST, enjoys spending time with her young family and travelling home to Ireland as often as possible.

JAN EDWARDS

Jan has worked at Brannams since 2019 and currently works two days a week. Jan's nursing career started with basic nursing care the fundamentals of nursing. She worked as an Accident and Emergency nurse for over 15 years which gave her an excellent foundation for patient care. Since then, Jan entered primary care working in out of hours urgent care community nursing practice covering minor injuries and same day/urgent care. Jan feels privileged to have worked with so many fantastic teams and is passionate about the patient journey and care in these difficult times. Jan loves spending time with her family cooking and enjoying the countryside.

REBECCA WALKER

Female

BSc (Hons)

Becky qualified in 1995 as a Registered Nurse and worked at NDDH within the surgical department. She left NDDH to work in General practice in 1998, joining BMC in 2015. Becky specialised in diabetes and COPD / asthma, is trained in family planning and cervical cytology and tissue viability. In 2010 Becky obtained her BSc (Hons) Degree in Health Studies and then went on to become an Independent/Supplementary Non-Medical Prescriber in 2013. Becky qualified as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in 2023 gaining her MSC from Plymouth University and uses her advance skills and knowledge with the Emergency On The Day Team. As well as keeping busy with her family and new grandson, Becky's hobbies include quilting, keeping and riding her 2 horses.

NICKY CRUDEN-SHEPHERD

Nicky is joined the team at Brannams as a Trainee Nurse Practitioner in 2022 and is working towards a MSc in Advance Practice at the University of Plymouth. Nicky started her NHS career at South Molton Community Hospital as a Healthcare Assistant and loved the local community that she helped to look after. She then undertook her adult nursing degree qualifying in 2017. Since then, Nicky has worked in the local Accident and Emergency department at North Devon District Hospital as an adult nurse, a job which she continues for 2 days a week. Nicky is married with two teenage children and loves gardening, walking and travelling to France.

JOSH SIMPSON

Josh trained as a Paramedic at Plymouth University and qualified in 2019. He started his career working as a Paramedic for SWAST in Bristol, before returning to North Devon. Josh spent some time at Brannam Medical Centre when he was a student and has now returned as a registered clinician to start on his MSc in Advance Practice at University. Outside of work, Josh likes to keep himself busy outdoors. Either mountain biking, surfing, swimming, fishing, hiking or wondering off around the country on van trips with his partner.

ELLIOT CALCOTT

Elliot has worked for 6 years as a frontline paramedic for East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) following graduation from the University of Northampton. He relocated to North Devon in 2021 and made the transition to Primary Care for the last 18 months in the Ilfracombe and Braunton area. In his spare time he enjoys to get out into the great outdoors in any which way, be it surfing, hiking, biking and snowboarding.

Nurses

Our Team of practice nurses are available for routine and some evening appointments, Monday to Friday. They carry out a wide range of services such as dressings, vaccinations, cervical smears. They work as an integral part of our Same Day Team and also run our Diabetes, Asthma/COPD and Coronary Heart Disease Clinics and other health reviews.

DESRI DYER

BSc (Hons)

Desri Dyer is our lead nurse, and Treatment Room Sister. She started working at Brannam on a part-time basis in 1995 and gradually built her hours and experience over the years, taking the full time senior nurse post in 2002. She is an RGN, qualifying in 1984 at North Devon District Hospital. Since working at Brannam, she has gained a Bsc Hons in nursing, diplomas in Asthma, COPD and CHD, a Post Graduate certificate in Leadership for Quality Improvement. Her other specialities include tissue viability, infection control, cervical cytology and family planning to include insertion and removal of implants. Desri enjoys working with such an enthusiastic and dynamic team who are all very supportive of one another.

EMILY PETTETT

BSc (Hons)

Emily works in the treatment room as a Practice Nurse. Emily started in the treatment room as as healthcare assistant and qualified in July 2019 as a Practice Nurse. Emily's day to day treatment room duties include dressings, injections, dopplers, ecgs and taking bloods . She is currently doing a Practice Nurse induction course which will equip her with new skills.

ANDREA DIBBLE

BSc (Hons)

Andrea joined the team in September 2014. She completed a Dip HE in Adult Nursing in 2002, she has since gained a BSC (Hons) in health studies in 2012. Andrea has worked in both acute hospital and community settings. Andrea has completed the Practice Nurse foundation course and other courses which include cervical cytology, ear irrigation, asthma and COPD. Andrea's working areas include routine clinics, well woman, travel, minor illness, asthma and is the lead for the children's vaccination clinic. Outside of work Andrea enjoys a busy family life and has recently taken up running.

AMELIA ROWE

Healthcare Assistants

Our healthcare assistants support practice nurses with their daily work are available for routine and some evening appointments, Monday to Friday. They carry out tasks such as phlebotomy (drawing blood), blood pressure measurement and new patient checks. They may act as a chaperone when a patient or doctor requests one.

AMY RODGERS

RUBY RAHMAN

MILLIE DAVIES-SHELTON

MANDY MCDONALD

SUE SANDERS

Clinical Pharmacists

Clinical pharmacists work as part of the general practice team to resolve day-to-day medicine issues and consult with and treat patients directly. This includes providing extra help to manage long-term conditions, advice for those on multiple medications and better access to health checks. Having a clinical pharmacist in GP practices means GPs can focus their skills where they are most needed, for example on diagnosing and treating patients with complex conditions. This helps GPs manage the demands on their time. Our senior clinical pharmacist is supported by prescribing pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

RACHEL NESTEL

Senior Clinical Pharmacist - GPhC Number 2059270

Rachel graduated from Cardiff University in 2003 and completed her Pharmacy training at North Devon District Hospital in 2004. Since then she has worked in Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol Children's Hospital and North Devon District Hospital again as well as some time working in community pharmacies over the year. She joined the surgery in 2015 as part of an NHS England pilot to trial pharmacists working within general practice. Since then she has developed the practice pharmacy team and supervises the Barnstaple Alliance PCN Pharmacy Team. In 2021 she became the first non-GP partner at the practice. Outside of work Rachel enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two young children as well as trying to keep fit through running and cycling.

Pharmacy Team

Our pharmacy team consists of prescribing coordinators and technicians who assist our clinical pharmacists and deal with numerous prescribing requests and queries on a daily basis. The team also engage with the Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care Network pharmacists and technicians to provide a comprehensive service to patients within our locality.

Practice Management

The Practice Manager is involved in managing all of the business aspects of the practice such as making sure that the right systems are in place to provide a high quality of patient care, human resources, finance, patient safety, premises and equipment and information technology. The practice manager supports the GPs and other medical professionals with delivering patient services and also helps to develop extended services to enhance patient care.

SUSIE WHEATON

Practice Manager

Susie is our Practice Manager. She joined the team in 2007 as part time relief cover to the receptionists, then receptionist to Dr. Matthews and progressing her role to Deputy Reception Manager in 2018. Susie took over the reigns of Practice Manager in July 2022. Outside of work Susie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running with her dogs and playing netball.

Patient Service Manager

The role of the PSM is to organise, develop and manage the delivery of patient services, focussing mostly but not entirely on the reception area of the practice. At Brannam Medical Centre we have a reception team of 20+ and the PSM oversees their development and management along with the Reception Manager, Rebecca Prosser. Areas of the role cover: patient representation group, compliments and complaints, telephone triage, GP list sizes, patient information and day to day training and management.

SARAH BICKLEY

Receptionists

Receptionists provide an important link for patients with the practice and are your initial contact point for general enquiries. They can provide basic information on services and results and direct you to the right person depending on your health issue or query and dealing with booking or changing appointments. Receptionists make most of the patient appointments with the GPs and nurses.

Administration Team

The administration team covers a variety of support for the practice, including secretaries who deal with sending off GP referrals and typing letters to patients and other clinicians, Data administrators who ensure that patients come in for their routine checks on time and have bloods taken regularly when needed and ensure all specified patients are correctly invited for annual flu vaccinations and other immunisations when needed and also run many searches and audits. Our summarisers ensure the input of new patient records are accurate. Our team invite and ensure that patients come in for their routine checks on time and have bloods taken regularly when needed and ensure all specified patients are correctly invited for annual flu vaccinations and other immunisations when needed. They all provide general day to day support the practice.

Finance, HR & IT Team

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

First Contact Physio Team

Barnstaple Alliance offers NHS physiotherapy. Patients can book directly into this clinic without the need to see a GP first. They assess, diagnose and advise on joint and muscular pain/conditions and make onward referrals to traditional NHS Physiotherapy, Orthopaedics or X-Ray as necessary.

Wellbeing Team

Working for the Barnstaple Alliance the 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.

Older Person Integrated Care

The OPIC Team develop and implement integrated services and pathways for older people with complex health and social care needs, shifting the delivery of care away from acute hospitals towards community based, planned and coordinated care.

Community Midwives

If you think you are pregnant you should see your GP in the first instance, who will then arrange for you to see a midwife. Our community midwives are based at the Midwives Hub at Barnstaple Health Centre, Vicarge Street, Barnstaple EX32 7BH or call the Labour Ward on 01271 322605 which offers a 24 hour service.

Community Nurses

Our Community (District) Nurses visit the housebound and provide general nursing care in the community. The team can be contacted on 07870 156592. For any urgent enquiries, I.e. where a patient requires same day treatment, please contact reception on 01271 329004.

Health Visitors

Health Visitors are trained in public health nursing. They are concerned with the promotion of good health and lifestyle, and the prevention of ill health for all age groups. They hold clinics and offer advice and support on the health, welfare and development of children and their families. The team can be contacted on 0333 234 1904. Their address is Public Health Nursing Team, Taw View, Civic Centre, North Walk, Barnstaple.