Our Staff

Doctors

DR CHAS THENUWARA

Dr Thenuwara joined the practice in October 2006 as a full time replacement for Dr Harris. He qualified from St Georges Medical school in 1998 and has been a general practitioner since 2003. His Qualifications include MBBS MRCGP DCH. He has a special interest in Dermatology and is keen to develop this further. He is also involved in clinical research for The National institute for health research. He is married with 3 children. His hobbies include viewing art, enjoying fine wines and playing many sports although tennis is his passion. His wife claims his best sport is avoiding housework.

DR MUNAWAR CHOUDHURI

DR RICHARD YASOTHARAN

Dr Yasotharan qualified from London in 2011. He completed an additional Bachelor’s degree in Experimental Pathology during his MBBS in medical school. His qualifications include MBBS, BSc, MRCGP. Previously a hospital doctor, he completed various hospital posts in the UK before completing Core Medical Training (CMT) which requires placements in various medical specialties. Additionally he is certified by the Royal College of GPs (RCGP) to perform minor surgery procedures and steroid injections. Having returned to live in Harpenden, you may see meet him enjoying a walk on the Common and Batford Springs Nature Reserve when he is not pursuing his other interests including gym, running, football, golf and chess. During his time at university he was a paid employee of the Territorial Army.

DR AJEET BAGGA

Dr Bagga qualified as MBBS from London in 20009. He completed his GP specialist training at Davenport House and returns to the surgery following several years as a partner at a St Albans practice.

DR HAYLEY KIRSOP

Having qualified as a GP from Chelsea and Westminster in 2011 Dr Kirsop joined a practice in West London as a partner. Her qualification are MBBS BSc MRCP MRCGP DRCOG and she has a special interest in diabetes and mental health. Dr Kirsop has recently returned to live in Harpenden with her husband and young family. When not engaged as a busy mother she enjoys running and has participated in both the London Marathon and Great North Run.

DR KATHARINE NOWLAN

Dr Katharine Nowlan qualified from Bristol University in 2010 moving to London to complete her foundation training at Kingston and Frimley Park hospitals. She initially started training for hospital medicine but changed to general practice as she enjoys both the variety of general medicine and looking after paediatric patients. She completed her general practice training at the start of 2018 from the Welwyn Garden City GP training scheme, and is excited to have started her first role as a salaried GP in a new area. Dr Nowlan wishes to keep a broad interest but is also keen to develop her role in women's health and is able to fit ring pessaries. Her qualifications include MRCGP and MRCOG. Dr Nowlan lives in St Albans with her husband and young son, and enjoys catching up with local family and friends. She delights in getting outdoors as much as possible, and has been spotted a top several mountains in the Lake District with toddler and rucksac in tow!

DR RAJIV SUBBU

Locum Doctors

DR ISABEL LOMAX

DR CAROLYN MATON

Advanced Nurse Practitioner

HELEN CRUICKSHANKS

Helen works alongside our GPs offering a minor illness clinic for advice and treatment of fever, urinary tract infections, sickness and diarrhoea and other minor ailments. She also supports the nursing team in surgery looking after leg ulcer patients.

Nurses

All nurses help run appointments for both general nursing services and for specialised clinics. Appointments are made via the receptionists. Patients can make an appointment with the nurse without seeing their doctor for minor injuries, general or holiday immunisation or vaccination advice and for ear-syringing. However, patients must see their doctor first before blood tests or special tests or investigations can be arranged. Patients may be asked by their doctor, or invited by letter, to attend special clinics run by the Practice nurses that monitor chronic conditions such as Heart disease, Asthma, Diabetes and Hypertension - or for monitoring medication such as Contraception or Hormonal Replacement therapy or support screening services such as cytology.

HEATHER WARWICK

Clinical responsibility for training and supervising nursing care. Clinical Nurse lead for Diabetes

MARY IBBOTSON

Clinical responsibility for training and supervising nursing care. Clinical Nurse lead for Cancer Care.

CHRISTINA HARRISON

Respiratory Nurse Lead.

ROSEMARY FAIRHURST

SHARON CATLIN

Healthcare Assistants

KAREN DONOVAN

Karen is able to carry out ECG’s, audiograms, new patient checks, blood pressure checks, suture removal and basic dressing. Karen also has a special interest in supporting patients to stop smoking and also offers NHS Health checks to eligible patients.

Practice Management

The Practice Manager is Jorge Goncalves

Administrative staff

The practice holds most of the information and medical records of its patients on its computer system. In addition details of registrations and the results of blood tests are received electronically into the practice direct from the health authority and hospital laboratory respectively. This requires the practice to have trained staff who are able to administer these functions - such as receive letters and mail sent to your doctor from various sources.

Reception

Receptionists are responsible for receiving patients either at the reception desk or on the telephone. They are able to make appointments for patients at the surgery for any of the doctors and nurses including the treatment room, first floor clinics and phlebotomy (blood taking) service held at Harpenden Memorial Hospital a few hundred yards away. They are able to sort out problems and requests and advise you about the various doctors, services and procedures performed within the practice. They also receive requests for visits and will liaise with the doctors, practice and community nurses as necessary. During weekday afternoons - they are able to take telephone calls or requests for the results of investigations that your doctor has previously ordered. Receptionists will need to be able to confirm the identity of the person requesting results and will only give this to another person where there is written permission for them to receive it on their behalf. Receptionists cannot interpret investigations and will only be able to tell you the recorded comment made by the doctor after seeing it. They therefore cannot release results until the doctor has seen and commented on them first.

Secretaries

The secretaries are responsible for the letters and clerical work resulting from consultations where patients are referred for appointments, procedures or tests. They also deal with queries and requests from patients, doctors and other staff relating to these referrals and liaise with consultant secretaries and appointment clerks.