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Doctors

Dr David Milburn

MBChB (1987 Leeds Medical School) MRCGP (1992) GMC 3256165

I qualified as a Doctor in Leeds, and then worked in Yorkshire, New Zealand and Cornwall before settling in North Devon. I am married to Sara and we have been working together at the The Wooda Surgery since 1993. We share a room so usually work on alternate days. We have three children and as a family we enjoy various activities in the area especially being able to visit the beach all year round. I am trying to improve my tennis as it is an enjoyable way to stay fit. I am the Clinical Manager for the practice and enjoy the variety of clinical conditions that we see General Practice.

Dr Samantha Gardner

MB BS (1996) BSc (1991) DRCOG (1998) DFFP (1998) MRCGP (2007) GMC 4306542 I qualified from King’s College hospital in 1996 and since that time I have lived and worked in Devon. I am married to George who is a local GP in Barnstaple and we have three children, Molly, Emily and Toby. I have a keen interest in education, I am now a trainer of new GPs. In my spare time I enjoy walking, cycling, body boarding and gardening as well as my annual skiing trip

Dr Matthew Lee

BSc (Hons) 1991 MB ChB (Glasgow 1993) DTMH (1995) MRCP (UK) 1999 MRCGP (2005) GMC 4014610

After a career in hospital medicine culminating in the field of infectious diseases in Australia, I transferred to the North Devon general practice experience, which I love. I have particular interests in prescribing, child safeguarding as well as cardiology issues.

When I am not busy with the delights and demands of my lovely family of wife and three daughters, I enjoy sailing, canoeing, surfing and discovering new aspects of our beautiful area’s natural and cultural history. I am attempting to learn the piano.

Dr Stewart "Reg" Perrin

MB CHB (Bristol 2006) BA Hons (Leeds 1998) DFSRH (2010) MRCGP (UK) 2011 GMC 6145619

After a French and Philosophy degree in Leeds I spent several years living abroad, teaching English.

Eventually, I decided to become a doctor.

After finishing medical school in Bristol I came straight down to North Devon, now my adopted home.

I joined The Wooda Surgery as a partner in 2012.

Dr Jess Danielson and I were married in 2015 and now job share at the practice..

I have an interest in medical education and help train new local doctors.

I'm also interested in how we organise healthcare locally and am the Clinical Manager for the practice.

Surfing, cycling, swimming and yoga keep me busy outside of work.

But I’m often found to be found propping UP the counter of a local café, with a coffee, and my nose deep in a book.

Dr Jessica Danielson (f)

BMedSci (Hons) BMBS MRCGP DRCOG DFSRH PGC (MedEd) GMC 7015833

I am originally from North Devon, and am really pleased to be working in an area I really love. Having trained at the Wooda Surgery, working here as a GP with the team of wonderful staff we have is great. I have additional training in contraception and sexual health, including treatment of the menopause. Outside of work, I am married to Dr Perrin, and we spend our time enjoying the beautiful coast on our doorstep.

Dr Penny Martin will be looking after Dr Danielson's patients whilst on maternity leave

Dr Esther Maguire

MbCHB DRCOG MRCGP

I grew up in the deep dark valleys of South Wales but manage to cross the Severn Bridge and study medicine at Bristol University.

I love to travel and since being qualified, have enjoyed working in Australia and spending time in Asia, New Zealand and, most recently, South America.

When I am not working I enjoy cycling, sea swimming and singing (usually whilst cycling and swimming!)

Dr Aaron Mills

I was born and raised in Barnstaple, and since completing my training in Durham in 2015, my wife and I have been very excited to move back closer to our families, and the beaches!

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my wife and daughter; I play basketball with the North Devon team and enjoy playing bass guitar and piano.

I am really looking forward to starting work with the great team here at The Wooda and am excited about getting to know my new patients.

Dr Gavin Haslehurst

BSc (Hons) MBBS MRCGP

While I was completing my GP training here in beautiful North Devon, I really fell in love with the area and its diverse community - so I decided to stay! When I'm not at my desk in the Wooda Surgery, I can be found either at the stove working on my latest culinary creation, or traipsing across Exmoor with my camera in tow. I've really enjoyed getting to know Bideford and my patient's, and I am looking forward to being part of the Wooda team for many years to come.

Dr Elizabeth Watson

I am very happy to have joined The Wooda Surgery (Feb 2018) as part of the new GP Retention Scheme.

I am a Bristol graduate and have had experience working as a GP in Scotland (10 yrs), Berkshire (11 yrs) and North Devon (so far, 8 yrs).

I have two grown up children and I live with my husband and four dogs. We live in the country and until recently, we have been running a small holding. My main hobbies are: walks in the awesome north Devon countryside and music. I play in a local orchestra and in band.

Nurse Practitioners

Alison White

RGN (1983) Diploma Healthcare (1994) ENB 928 Diabetes (1996) Asthma Diploma (1996). BSc (Hons) (1999). Nurse Prescriber (2004) Postgrad. Diploma with RCN Nurse Practitioner Diploma (2006) I moved to North Devon with my husband in 1985. We have two daughters. Since qualifying I have worked in ophthalmology, gynaecology, outpatients, as a community nurse and for Devon Doctors out of hour’s service. I joined Wooda Surgery practice nurse team in 1994 and since then have undertaken further training to develop my role as a nurse practitioner. I am particularly interested in Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma and minor illness.

Mrs Vicky Braddon (f)

Diploma of Higher Education Nursing (RN) 2002, BSc Community Health Care Nursing – District Nurse Specialist 2006, Post Graduate Certificate in Advanced Healthcare practice (Year 1) 2009.

I have been qualified since 2002 as a registered nurse (R/N). I have a background in urology (Royal Devon and Exeter) and general surgery (NDDH). I have worked as a community nurse and have a specialist qualification in district nursing. I began practice nursing in 2004, I joined Northam Surgery in 2007 and the team at Wooda in 2009. In 2009 I qualified as an independent nurse prescriber. I am currently undergoing further study to obtain my nurse practitioner qualification. I have special interest in minor illness and men's health.

Nurses

Mechelle Williams
RN (Qualified 1983). After working in the Emergency department at North Devon District Hospital for 15 years I decided on a change of working environment. So at the moment I am going through a big learning curve. I enjoy my role as a practice nurse, .

Tracey Moore

Practice Nurse RGN 1988, Return to Practice 2014 I have lived in North Devon most of my life apart from a short stint in Canada and have recently returned to practice after a twelve year break in my nursing career to raise our five children. My previous nursing history includes Practice Nurse in Torrington, ten years in A&E at NDDH also Theatre Recovery, Day Surgery and Trauma Orthopeadics. I joined the Wooda Surgery in November 2014 and am looking forward to working with this wonderful team. I am currently enrolled on the Foundation Course for Practice Nurses to further develop my skills.

Myka Dymond

Practice Nurse

Adult Nursing BSc (Honours)

I am a newly qualified nurse but have worked in health care for the last 10 years. My partner and I have 2 sons and have lived in Devon all our lives with no plans to leave! I have chosen to come straight to practice nursing as I wanted to be a part of the continuity of care and build a real relationship with the patients. I am looking forward to working within the Wooda community.

Healthcare Assistants

Amanda Bignell

Sarah May

Zoe Thorne

We all work part time at the Wooda, our clinical duties include taking blood samples, blood pressures, audiograms and ECGs and assisting the General Practitioners with minor operations. We also deal with sending samples off for analysis.

Practice Management

Sam Shortridge

Managing Partner

Sam Shortridge, Managing Partner is responsible for the non-medical and strategic aspects of the practice and the finances of the business. She also leads the management team. We are always keen to improve the services offered to patients, please ask a member of the management team if you have any queries or comments on the service you have received.

Kristy Elson

Practice Manager

Our Practice Manager looks after all of the operational elements of the practice and Human Resources.

Shannon Smith

Reception Manager

Our Reception Manager is currently on maternity leave.

Gemma Jones

Finance Administrator

Gemma Jones, our Finance Administrator is responsible for the financial monitoring of the practice.

Administration

The Administration Team help keep the practice functioning, they process all of the referrals, manage incoming patient records, ensure patients are called for annual reviews, keep our premises in order and keep us stocked up with all sorts of supplies.

Jan Snookes

Admin / Finance Clerk

Amy Hawkes

Secretary

Kate Morrish

Personnel and Management Assistant

Reception

Shannon Smith

Reception Manager

Nancy Matthews

Carly Avery

Jade Matthews

Hannah Luxton

Rochine Simmons

Angela Beaumont

Debbie Davies

Harriet Jones

The receptionists are here to help you make appointments, answer telephone calls, arrange home visits, keep medical records in order, organise repeat prescriptions and update computer records. Their job is very demanding so please be patient.

Attached Staff

Two teams of community staff work with the Wooda team. Please see full details below. Please always contact these teams on their direct lines.

Midwives

Direct Line 01237 427806

Midwives in North Devon work in teams (ours is called Torridge) covering community and hospital care. Women are allocated a named midwife, who will give continuity of care and discuss choices available to you.

The midwives are available for informed discussions around becoming pregnant (pre-conceptual care) and any concerns you have when you are pregnant. If you wish, you may telephone on their direct number, 01237 427806. They are responsible for the care of pregnant women and their families and work with the doctors when medical support is needed. One of the team will care for you in labour whenever possible. They visit up to 28 days after birth, helping you to adjust to parenthood and work closely with the health visiting service.

District Nursing Service

Direct Line 01237 427815

Julie Utley SEN (1982), Diploma in Orthopaedics (1983), RGN (1999)

Jane Bennett Dip Nursing studies RN (2013)

Ana Dobrescu Senior Healthcare Assistant

The district nursing team provides a wide range of nursing care for patients at home who are unable to travel to the surgery due to their medical condition, or when the delivery of nursing care may be more appropriate in the patient’s home.

They assess, give advice and support to patients and carers, to enable them to remain independent at home. The services they provide include nursing care, wound care assessments and treatment, palliative and terminal care, chronic disease management, continence assessment, advice about continence, health promotion and the promotion of self-care. They promote independence by working alongside other agencies including social services and care agencies.