Our Staff

Doctors

DR ROB DANIELS

MA, MB BChir (Cambridge 1995) MSc, FRCGP, FRGS

I originally trained in Cambridge and did an intercalated degree in Natural Sciences before completing clinical training at Addenbrooke's Hospital. After working in the UK and Australia I ended up as a GP in East Devon where I have been for 20 years. As part of this role I work in urgent care and Ear, Nose and Throat medicine and have also worked in the past for Devon CCG on service redesign and Quality Improvement projects. I am the practice representative on the Axe valley primary care network. I have an academic interest in Communities of Practice and the development of multidisciplinary teams to deliver better care, both in the UK and abroad and teach several courses for health workers on developing countries online from Exeter and I am also a visiting lecturer at the University of Rwanda and a senior clinical lecturer at the University of Exeter. I am one of the GP trainers at the practice and have post graduate qualifications in obstetrics and gynaecology, family planning, ENT, hyperbaric medicine, prehospital emergency care and clinical education.

DR JON DOVE

MBBS, MRCGP

After working mainly in London and some early experience in the Shetland Islands, I am delighted to have been a GP partner in beautiful East Devon since 2015. I also provide urgent care for out of hours organisations when the surgery is closed. Previously, I worked on the Eastern Clinical Board of the North, East and West Devon Clinical Commissioning Group. For 5 years, I provided duty doctor care for the infamous Grizzly running challenge. Recently, I have been working with our local Primary Care Network to develop mental health services. Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my young family, improving my tennis serve and playing jazz piano. I also embrace the great outdoors whenever possible, enjoying sea swimming all year round, paddle-boarding and alpine skiing.

DR DANI HARRIS

MBChB MRCGP

I started off in the Midlands and moved to Bristol to attend medical school. I moved further in to the South West to complete my GP training on the West Somerset Coast and have worked throughout the county. Now moving to Devon, by the coast, there’s not much further south I can go without acquiring a boat! Being completely converted to the South west coastline, countryside and lifestyle, in my spare time I try to be outside as much as possible; exploring. I enjoy travelling whether 3 months training and working in India, trekking in Nepal or failing to surf in Australia. I also enjoy photography and often combine the two with varying degrees of success!

DR WILL ELIAS-JONES

BMBS, MRCS, DOHNS, MRCGP

Dr Elias-Jones is currently a GP partner at Townsend House medical centre, but prior to training in General practice, he was previously an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor. He first trained on performing Microsuction while working in the ENT department in Derriford Hospital in Plymouth in 2009. He has since gone on to work as a senior house officer in ENT for 4 years, including working as a surgical trainee at the Royal Cornwall hospital in Truro and as a Trust Grade Doctor in ENT at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital. While he was a surgical trainee, he passed his Membership exams for the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) in 2013 and also completed his Diploma in Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery (DOHNS) in the same year. Since completing his GP training, he has continued a role as a GP with special interest in ENT where he has regular ENT clinics including performing Microsuction.

DR KATE TAILBY

MBChB (Bristol 2015), MRCGP

I graduated from Bristol University in 2015 and have worked in and around Exeter ever since. It’s definitely true when they say ‘South West is best’. Outside of work, you will mostly find me exploring the South West coast path or the East Devon Way with my fur baby, Herbie. I also love doing yoga and fitness classes from the comfort of my lounge. I have also found a new love in cross-stitching whilst trying to keep myself occupied during lockdown!

DR JAMES WOOD

I am originally from the Midlands and I attended medical school in Manchester. I then moved down to the South West with my (now) wife. I trained in Plymouth, Torbay and then finished GP training in Exeter. We also had a few years enjoying being doctors in Australia doing mostly Emergency Medicine. I am currently developing an interest in minor surgery but enjoy all aspects of being a family doctor. When I'm not at work you will find me outdoors exploring beautiful Devon, riding my bike and spending time with my wife and 2 children.

DR ABIGAIL PAYNE

MBChB MRCGP

I graduated from Leicester University in 2015 and then worked in Taunton as a junior doctor for 3 years. Following this I returned to Devon, which is where I grew up, and completed my GP training. In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family, exploring the coast/countryside and sewing clothes.

Pharmacists

CATHERINE HILTON

MRPharmS

I qualified form Bath University in 1994 and worked as a community pharmacist in Bristol, Australia and New Zealand before moving to East Devon in 2000. Since then I have worked for NEW Devon CCG and lately the East Devon Community Hospitals. I'm delighted to have joined the team here at Townsend House as a GP Practice Clinical Pharmacist. When not working I spend a lot of time swimming, cycling, running, training for the sport of triathlon and making the most of all the outdoor pursuits that Devon has to offer.

Locum GPs

DR CHARLIE NURSE

DR XAVIER STONEHEWER

General Practice Paramedic

CHERYL DALY

MATT HAMMILL

GP Training

Our practice is a recognised Training Practice and has a number of qualified GP's who participate in training medical students. You may at times be offered an appointment with a medical student working alongside your normal GP. You will be offered the opportunity to decline if you are not happy with this arrangement.

Nurses

Our practice nurses are generally available by appointment at Townsend House throughout the week, and the Beer Surgery on Wednesday morning. They can help you with blood tests, infant and adult immunisations, vaccines, minor casualties, cervical smears, dressings, ear syringing and hearing tests. They run clinics for asthma, diabetes in conjunction with the doctors. They take blood pressures, give advice on hormone replacement therapy. They are able to offer advice on many matters and can be booked through reception. We also have a Health Care Assistant available to take blood every weekday morning at Townsend House and every Friday morning at Beer Surgery.

EMILY BOWKER

Practice Nurse

NATALIE CLAYDON

Practice Nurse

SELINA WILLS

Practice Nurse

DEBBIE WAKLEY

Healthcare Assistant

ALISON GOULD

Healthcare Assistant

GILLIAN SHUELL

Healthcare Assistant

Practice Management

CLAIRE ASHBY

Practice Manager

GEMMA MARTIN

Administration

Our team of administrators / secretaries have a wide range of duties that include IT troubleshooting, maintenance of the surgery and calibration of equipment. A large part of their role involves ensuring patient care is a priority, and this is achieved by monitoring regular invitations for the patients to have health checks. Our secretary works hard to get your referrals to the Hospitals as quickly as possible after the Doctors have dictated their letters. If you have any administrative queries concerning your referral they can advise you how best to get your questions answered.

Reception

Our team of fully trained receptionists are here to help you by making appointments to see the doctors or advising on administrative problems. They have a difficult job to do with telephone calls and enquiries coming from every direction. When you telephone for medical attention the Receptionist may need to ask one or two questions in order to judge the urgency of your request. They have been asked to do this, but the information you give them will always be treated in confidence as they are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as doctors and nurses. If they cannot answer a query they will undertake to find someone else who can.

Pharmacy Technician

LOUISE KASPARIAN

Lou is an experienced Pharmacy Technician with over 20 years of working in Pharmacy. She has worked for community Pharmacy where her career started and worked in private manufacturing in Essex where she is from. Lou moved to beautiful Devon in 2007 and began working for the NHS in hospital pharmacy specialising in mental health for almost 9 years before changing roles in 2021 to work in primary care. Lou delivers medicines optimisation and works collaboratively with local care homes. Lou supports patients with medication compliance and medication reviews as well as delivering the Covid-19 vaccination programme.

Physiotherapists

A physiotherapy service is available at Seaton Hospital. It is necessary to consult with your doctor first to be referred to the Physiotherapist. For those patients unable to attend the surgery a home visit can be arranged.

KATE PRESTON

Musculoskeletal (MSK)

Works on a Thursday Morning at Townsend House Medical Centre.

Mental Health Team

RACHEL COX

TORIA BATES

Community Midwives

The Community Midwives are responsible for antenatal and early postnatal care. They organise parent craft classes and home visits and have a weekly antenatal clinic where they work in close co-operation with the Doctors and local Maternity Unit. They are available for advice in all aspects of maternity care and you may contact them through the surgery.

Community Nurses

We have a team of District Nurses who are based at the Surgery. They may be contacted through Townsend House reception or through Seaton Hospital on 01297 626108. They provide nursing care to patients in their homes and give practical advice or assistance to patients, relatives and careers in coping with illness at home.

Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPN's)

We have attached to the practice CPN's who are based either from Seaton Hospital for the elderly or Honiton for adults. They provide supervision and help for those who have known psychiatric problems and can be a useful source of advice.

Counsellors

We have counsellors that work from within the Practice. They provide supervision and help and can be a useful source of advice.

Health Visitors

Please feel free to contact the Health Visitor directly yourself on 01297 626141. A Health Visitor is concerned with the health of the whole community, but has a particular responsibility for the under 5's, children and adults with disabilities and the elderly. Her aim is the promotion of health and early detection of ill-health. She visits families regularly to discuss the health of parents and their children. She also runs Child Health Clinics, Parent groups, parenting courses and a bedwetting service.