Our Doctors
Dr Elaine Barber
GP Partner
I was fortunate to come to the practice as a Registrar in 2013 and train under Dr Bryan. After completing my training I stayed on as a locum for a few months before joining the team as a salaried GP in 2016.
My main clinical interests are emergency medicine, contraception and sexual health. I am developing a career that will combine General Practice with Emergency Care.
I have two children and a dog. My escapism from a busy life is found in ceilidh dancing and practicing karate
Dr Elizabeth Mackenzie
Senior GP Partner
I qualified from St George’s, London in 1998. I initially pursued a career in paediatrics before changing to General practice. I became a partner here in 2006 and have loved working here since. I am proud to be a member of such a friendly practice that strives to provide the best patient care possible.
My main clinical interest is child health. I am also a tutor for Oxford University final year medical students. Outside of work, I am married to a doctor and most of my time is taken up with looking after my young children. I enjoy walking, reading and gardening (although I am not very good at it!)
Dr Kate Bramall
GP Partner
After an initial degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge, I qualified from Imperial College London in 2015. I had always planned a career in general practice and completed my training in Surrey in 2020. I moved to Oxfordshire in 2021 and haven’t looked back!
I became a partner at Church Street in April of 2022 and have very much been enjoying working within the team as well as getting to know my patients. My interest is women’s health and family planning.
Outside of work, I live with my husband and mini labradoodle Alvin. We spend most of our time out on walks exploring the countryside, reading, and watching sports (especially rugby, NFL, and baseball)!
Dr Manish Patel
GP Partner
I graduated from Bart’s and The London School of Medicine in 2013. After completing my GP training in London, I moved to Oxfordshire and joined this practice in 2020. A year later, I became a GP Partner. I feel very fortunate to work in such a supportive and welcoming team, and I genuinely enjoy being part of Wantage community.
I am passionate about all aspects of general practice, with a particular interest in teaching and mentoring. I currently help train our junior doctors and provide guidance to other healthcare professionals, including nurses and our paramedic.
Outside of work, I’m married to a pharmacist, and together we have two young boys. My free time is spent keeping active, cooking, and playing cricket
Dr Matthew Gaw
GP Partner
I joined the practice as a partner in 2010. I have previously worked in the practice as a registrar in 2007/8 then as a locum in 2008/9. I feel very fortunate to be a partner in a practice where patient centred care and education are so highly valued. I studied at University College London and graduated in 2003. I have previously worked in various hospital jobs in Jersey, London and Kent before starting my GP training in Oxford in 2005.
I wanted to become a GP to have the continuity that primary care offers- of being able to get to know patients over time not just looking at a snapshot of a problem. I feel that it is a great privilege to be part of people’s lives in this way.
My clinical interests include Paediatrics and Diabetes. I am the practice’s research lead and work closely with the Thames Valley and South Midlands Clinical Research Network. Primary care research is vital for improving patient care and clinical knowledge so if you get invited to be part of a study by me, it would be great to have you involved!
I live locally with my two boys. Outside medicine I am a keen film buff, I enjoy climbing and walking, and have a love of food, modern art and photography. I play tennis badly and support QPR (someone has to!). I look forward to seeing you inside and outside the practice whether you need a doctor or not.
Dr Nicky Jacobsen
GP Partner
Originally from Liverpool, I qualified from Oxford University many moons ago in 2000. I initially trained as a surgeon and specialised in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgery working in Edinburgh, London and Cambridge before seeing the light and switching to General Practice in 2007.
My first placement was in Wantage when I worked at the practice for 6 months as a GP trainee. As a result we set up home here and have not left. I have subsequently worked in Berinsfield and Witney but was keen to return to Wantage when a job became available.
I enjoy all aspects of general practice and love the variety that the day can bring. I have kept up my enthusiasm for ENT and also work as the Clinical Lead for ENT in OXFORDSHIRE at the CCG, trying to improve ENT services for patients.
I have three children and enjoy swimming when I get a bit of free time! We have recently acquired a campervan which hopefully will bring lots of fun adventures in the future
Dr Vineet Joshi
GP Partner
I joined Church Street Practice in 2011 and love being part of a team with a strong family feel and high standards of care. Originally from Scotland, I trained at Dundee University and worked mainly in Glasgow before moving to Wantage.
As a GP, I focus on patient care, aiming to make a positive impact during difficult times. I’m committed to continually expanding my medical knowledge and enjoy teaching final-year medical students from Oxford University.
My special interests are Dermatology and Minor Surgery. Outside work, I live in a small village with my partner and our cat. I enjoy football, golf, cooking, and travelling. I’m excited to contribute to the long-term health of our community.
Salaried GPs
- Dr Morris – On Maternity Leave
- Dr Nicolette
- Dr Mujtaba
- Dr Collins
- Dr Gannon
- Dr Storey
- Dr Brindley
- Dr Beg
We are a training practice with doctors at all GP training levels. You may be offered an appointment with any one of them.
Acute Care Team
Stacy Shepherd
Acute Care Manager
- Carly Clare – Acute care nurse
- Shaunie Bennett – Acute care nurse
- Suzanne Dingle – Acute care nurse
- Amy Blatherwick – Acute care nurse
- Rachael Floyd – Paramedic
Nursing Team
Mary Elliott
Practice Nurse Manager
Practice Nurses
- Jackie Peck
- Louise Morebble
- Laura Caudle
- Sharon Huckstep
- Michelle Whitcomb
HCAs & Nurse Associate
- Becky Baker – HCA
- Izzy Larman – HCA
- Jackie Stringer – HCA
- Caroline Sherwood – Nurse Associate
Phlebotomists
- Marcus Elliott
- Marie Rawlings
Prescriptions Team
Emma James
Prescription Team Lead
Prescription Advisors
- Sarah Viner
- Shannen Miller
Patient Advisors
Sharron Hosler
Patient Advisor Lead
Patient Advisors
- Sonia Joyce
- Carole Rodger
- Angie Rose
- Julie Wastle
- Debbie Shute
- Alison Osborne-Roberts
- Wendy Grant
- Nikki Purcell
- Natasha Glover
- Samantha Thompson
- Tessa Clayfield
Practice Secretaries
- Claire Delaney
- Helen Murray
- Karinna Strafford
- Marie Rawlings
Practice Workflow
- Andy Campbell
- Justin Wright
- Nilusha Dadigamuwa
- Steve Elliott
Practice Admins
- Lynn Nichols-White
- Sally Matthews
- Dylan Drake
- Judith Holton
Finance
- Jodie Way
- Tania Hoare
Primary Care Network Team
A Primary Care Network (PCN) is a group of local GP practices that work together to improve the patient care of their local population. We are part of Wantage PCN, including Newbury Street Practice, and care for 32,000 patients together.
Diana Donald
PCN Operations Manager
I was appointed Operations Manager for Wantage PCN in July 2021. I feel honoured to work with Wantage PCN, which has made significant progress in seeking opportunities to collaborate with the community and develop its multidisciplinary team.
My role in the PCN is to support the Clinical Director in ensuring that the PCN meets the DES’s contractual requirements, including monitoring and reporting key performance indicators.
I oversee the PCN finance, support and work alongside the new multidisciplinary team, collaborate with both practice managers, identify new opportunities for the PCN internally and externally, and engage in stakeholder meetings with community members and healthcare professionals.
Dr Elaine Barber
Clinical Director
Elaine Barber is the Clinical Director at Wantage Primary Care Network. She works with the PCN manager to lead a multidisciplinary team that delivers high-quality, integrated care to the community.
An example is the joint GP surgery COVID immunisation and booster jabs, flu jabs for housebound and frail patients, and the close monitoring of frail patients with long-term conditions.
Pharmacy
- Toyosi Akinbami – Lead Clinical Pharmacist.
- Ffion Baker – Clinical Pharmacist
- Martina Paparo – Pharmacy Technician (on maternity leave)
- Emma Nunn – Pharmacy Technician
Our pharmacy team have all worked in community pharmacies and brings knowledge and experience to our PCN.
The team works as part of the general practice team, providing expert advice on medicines for our patient population.
The team also consults with and treats patients directly. This includes providing extra help to manage long-term conditions and advice for those taking multiple medicines.
Nurse Associates
- Caroline Sherwood
- Kimberley Emberling
The nursing associate is a clinical support role that requires professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council. Still, it bridges the gap between healthcare support workers and registered nurses.
Caroline and Kimberley deliver hands-on, person-centred care as part of their nursing teams. The Nursing Associate role works with people of all ages.
Nursing Associates are pivotal in the broader health and care team, providing crucial support in several areas. They facilitate the advancement of healthcare support workers’ careers, allow nurses to concentrate on more intricate clinical tasks, and contribute to expanding the nursing workforce by offering a pathway towards becoming a qualified nurse.
Children & Wellbeing Workers
Alice Vaughn & Sarah Sherriff
Children & Young Persons (CYP) Social Prescriber
The Children and Wellbeing Workers offer services for 7–17-year-olds. Alice and Sarah are employed full-time by Oxfordshire Mind and work across both practices.
They will receive referrals from the patient’s GP to provide support for 7-17-year-olds with a diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health problem using age-appropriate resources/tools.
Referrals to Alice and Sarah may include, but are not limited to, social, physical health and/or neurodevelopmental issues with an identifiable impact on mental well-being, depression, anxiety, stable psychotic illness and personality disorder.
Mental Health Practitioner
Ashley Pullinger
Mental Health Practitioner
Ashley is a qualified Mental Health Nurse with experience working in secondary care with the Adult Mental Health Team locally and has established links with local third-sector mental health services.
Ashley works Monday and Tuesday in Church Street Practice and Thursday and Friday with Newbury Street Practice.
His role is to support all adult patients in the PCN with a diagnosis of severe mental illness and to support patients who may not meet the criteria for support from either Talking Space Plus or the local Adult Mental Health Team.
Frailty Practitioners
Emma Brunton and Mathew Hillis
Frailty Practitioners
Matthew and Emma work full-time and provide clinical care to frail and/or elderly patients in our local community.
They will regularly collaborate with the GPs at the practices, our pharmacy team, consultant geriatricians when needed, and other community teams to meet the needs of the patients while ensuring their families and carers are supported and kept informed about the care and management of the patients.
Matthew supports Newbury Street patients, and Emma supports Church Street patients.
First Contact Physiotherapists
- Tom Jacobs, Advanced Physiotherapist – Newbury Street Practice
- Catherine Hooper, First Contact Physiotherapist – Church Street Practice
- Ed Gerring, First Contact Physiotherapist – Both Practices
A First-Contact Practitioner (FCP) is an experienced physiotherapist with advanced skills in assessing, diagnosing, and recommending treatment/referral for Musculoskeletal (MSK) problems.
They are often the first person the patient may see for a joint, muscle, and bone problem at their surgery, hence the term ‘first contact‘.
Patients with MSK complaints can be booked in to see an FCP by one of the practice staff or by a GP. An FCP offers expert MSK opinions, but if appropriate, an FCP may refer the patient for an X-ray, blood test, or other investigations.
They may also refer the patient to other services, such as routine physiotherapy, if further appointments are required or to other specialities, such as rheumatology or orthopaedics.
Each team member works the equivalent of 2 days per week per practice. They are:
Social Prescribers
- Mandie Mitchell – Social Prescriber
Our Social Prescriber, Mandie, supports Church Street and Newbury Street patients.
Mandie has previous experience working in GP practices and takes a holistic approach to people’s health and well-being, giving people time to focus on ‘what matters to me.’
Mandie can connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.
Social prescribing works for a wide range of people, including those with one or more long-term conditions, people who need support with their mental health, those who are lonely or isolated and those whose social needs are affecting their wellbeing. Your GP, nurse, HCA, or any practice team member can refer patients to Mandie.
Care Co-ordinators
- Kirsty Gough – Care Co-ordinator
- Jenny Bahar – Care Co-ordinator
Jenny and Kirsty actively identify and support groups of patients, like the elderly, disabled, or those at risk, to provide personalised care. For patients with learning disabilities, they gather all identified care and support needs into one personalised care plan.
They assist patients by answering queries, managing appointments, and providing clear information to help patients make informed choices about their care. Jenny supports Church Street patients, while Kirsty assists those at Newbury Street.
Digital Transformation
- Faith Nteogwuija – Wantage PCN Digital & Transformation Lead
I was hired into the post in March 2024 as part of the NHS ARRS staff, and I’m navigating my new role in supporting improvements in General Practice.
I have worked with colleagues at the BOB ICB to train staff to confidently support patients using the NHS App, which has increased patient support. Over 62% of our 13y+ patient population now uses the NHS App, and a Digital Clinic is running at both practices, with fantastic feedback from our patients.
With the support of the practice managers and staff, we now use the Register with a GP service and have rolled out proxy access to some of our largest care homes. I also support an MDT with data analysis for the upcoming Wantage Integrated Neighbourhood Team (INT). Alongside these efforts, I am always looking for an opportunity to make your access to the GP easier as we transition to a more digital practice.
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