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 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 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 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 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 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!

GP Training

Our practice is a recognised Training Practice. We host junior doctors on placement including foundation doctors, as well as GP Registrars. All trainees work in conjunction with a Townsend Practice GP for training and supervision purposes.

DR TAREK EL OMDA

DR EMMA THORNE

General Practice Paramedic

Our resident Paramedic is Townsend’s Duty Clinician. She has years of experience dealing with acute and urgent medical needs within the Ambulance Service. She now provides on-the-day appointments for any urgent medical presentations.

LOU MILLS

Nurses

Our team of Practice Nurses, Advance Nurse Practitioners, and Health Care Assistants can help you with blood tests, vaccinations and immunisations, minor casualties, dressings, hearing tests and more! They also run clinics for asthma, diabetes in conjunction with the doctors.

EMILY BOWKER

Practice Nurse

NATALIE CLAYDON

Practice Nurse

SELINA WILLS

Practice Nurse

DEBBIE WAKLEY

Healthcare Assistant

ALISON GOULD

Healthcare Assistant

GILLIAN SHUELL

Healthcare Assistant

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.

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

KATE PRESTON

Musculoskeletal (MSK)

Works on a Thursday Morning at Townsend House Medical Centre.

Practice Management

CLAIRE ASHBY

Practice Business Manager

Reception

Our team of receptionists are here to help you with appointment bookings and administrative enquiries. When calling for medical attention Receptionists are required to ask the reason for your call in order to triage the urgency and direct you to the most appropriate level of care. All information is treated in confidence as the team are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as doctors and nurses.

Administration

Our administration team include our Medical Secretaries, Prescriptions team and Quality and Outcomes administrator. They work incredibly hard to support our clinical team in the provision of patient care.

Community Midwives

The Community Midwives are responsible for antenatal and early postnatal care. They are available for advice and guidance regarding maternity care and can be contacted through the surgery.

Community Nurses

Our team of District Nurses may be contacted through Townsend House surgery or via 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.