The Surgery29 Bassett RdLeighton BuzzardBedfordshire, LU7 1ARTel: 01525 373111
MB BS MSc MFPHM MRCGP (1984 London)
John qualified in 1984 from University College London School of Medicine and did his Vocational Training here in Leighton Buzzard. Prior to entering general practice John trained in Public Health Medicine at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and with North Thames Region Health Authority where he was Senior Registrar in Public Health. He is lead GP in prescribing within the Practice and is also a GP Trainer on the Aylesbury scheme. He has a specialist interest in dermatology and works at Stoke Mandeville Hospital as a clinical assistant to the dermatology department every Friday afternoon.
BSc MBBS MRCGP DRCOG (1994 London)
Mary trained at St Georges Medical School, London and qualified in 1994. She completed her vocational training scheme in Epsom. She joined the practice in January 2000. She is the practice diabetic lead and also practice clinical governance lead. She is also involved with medical student and postgraduate general practice training.
MB ChB DFSRH MRCGP (1989 Sheffield)
Ros qualified in Sheffield in 1989. Having worked as a partner elsewhere in the town for some years, she joined the practice in April 2002 and is now a partner at Bassett Road working three days a week. She has a specialist interest in sexual health and gynaecology and is the Lead GP for final year medical students at Imperial College, London.
MB BS MD DFFP (1982 Aligarh Muslim)
After graduation in 1983 Nasir worked in the Institute of Ophthalmology, Aligarh University, India and was awarded his Masters Degree in Ophthalmology in 1986. He then worked as a lecturer in the Institute of Ophthalmology where he was involved in teaching, training and research. He qualified as a GP within the Oxford region in 2002. He became a partner at Bassett Road in 2003 and still retains an interest in managing eye disease offering a Community Eye Clinic service to all Leighton Buzzard residents. Nasir is also the Lead GP for medical students from Buckingham University.
Dr Chris Longstaff
MB BChir MA(Cantab) MRCGP
Chris qualified in Cambridge in 2007 and worked as a doctor in Bedford before going on to complete his GP training in Milton Keynes. Prior to joining the practice, he spent some time working as a GP for patients experiencing homelessness in Oxford. He has a particular interest in addiction and vulnerable patient groups and he is also a Programme Director on the Milton Keynes training scheme.
MBChB DRCOG MRCGP
Laura qualified in 2009 and has had 2 rotations as a GP Registrar at Bassett Road dating back to 2013. We are delighted now to have retained her at the practice on a permanent basis and she became a partner in 2016. Laura works 3 days a week with us and is the practice lead for palliative and end of life care, whilst continuing to do some sessional work at Florence Nightingale Hospice.
MB BS BSc MSc MRCGP
Elinor qualified in 2010 and spent a year at Bassett Road as a GP Registrar before becoming a permanent member of our team. She joined us first as a Salaried GP and became a partner working 4 days a week from February 2018. Elinor shares Dr Longstaff's interest in the homeless and other vulnerable groups and is also a Programme Director on the Milton Keynes training scheme.
BM BCh BA (Oxon) MRCGP DRCOG
Suzie qualified in 2006 and joined the practice as a Salaried GP in April 2012, when Dr Chapman retired. She now works with us 2 days a week, is actively involved in the postgraduate training of doctors and is a Programme Director in Banbury.
Ms Clara Alonso Malpartida, Pharmacist
Clara joined us early in 2016 and works 4 days a week. She has taken over the care of our patients with respiratory problems, e.g. Asthma & COPD, and works closely with the Clinical Team to optimise patients' medication regimes and review those patients on multiple medications.
Minor Illness and Diabetes Nurse Specialist
Heather works closely with Dr Horkan (our Lead GP on diabetes) and runs regular weekly clinics to help patients manage and control their condition. She is also experienced in the management of patients on warfarin and is able to treat minor illnesses.
Practice Nurse
Marcia works 4 days a week in the treatment room treating patients with a range of conditions and is skilled in undertaking blood pressure readings, cervical smears, dressings, ear syringing, ECGs, baby and travel immunisations. She is also able to give healthy living and family planning advice. Marcia is also skilled in the management of patients on warfarin and helps run our weekly warfarin clinics with Heather.
Treatment Room Nurse
Louise has joined our practice team having previously worked with the community nursing team. She has since successfully undertaken the Practice Nurse course and works 2 days a week in the treatment room treating patients with a range of conditions.
Complex Care Nurse
Jackie works 4.5 days a week and her role centres around the care of our most vulnerable patients, visiting them at home, prescribing where this is indicated and trying to avoid unnecessary hospital admission. This involves close liaison with our Social Care colleagues as well as voluntary groups and other agencies.
Practice Matron
Sara also works 4 days a week and can see the full range of problems we encounter in General Practice, working closely with and supported by our Duty Doctor. She is able to prescribe and works closely with our GP and nursing teams, as well as liaising with community colleagues.
Jane works 4 days a week, alongside the Duty Doctors, being able to see all age groups from babies to our older patients. She is able to prescribe and works closely with the GPs and nurses in the practice. She is also skilled in Women's Health and Sexual Health services offering advice, fitting and removal of coils and implants, sexual health screening services, and contraception and menopause advice.
Sue is our most senior Healthcare Assistant (HCA) and supports our clinical team by performing such tasks as phlebotomy (drawing blood), blood pressure measurement, taking ECGs and undertaking new patient checks. She also acts as a chaperone when a patient or doctor requests one.
Mrs Karen Puddifoot
Karen joined our team in the summer of 2015 having previously worked with the community nursing team. She undertakes phlebotomy, blood pressures and annual BP reviews, ECGs, Vitamin B12 injections, NHS healthchecks and flu immunisation. She also acts as a chaperone when a patient or doctor requests one.
Mrs Karen Dignum
Karen has been a part of our reception team for some time but has undertaken additional training and now also supports our clinical team. Karen offers blood test appointments 3 mornings a week and plans to extend her role further in the future.
Mrs Yvonne Hosking
Yvonne is also part of our reception team but, like Karen, have undertaken some additional training and now offers occasional support to the practice by covering for absent colleagues.
Practice Manager
Chrystel joined the practice in March 2002 and has nearly 30 years’ experience of working in general practice. She has spent the last 22 years working as a Practice Manager, having previously worked as a Receptionist, Medical Secretary and PA. She successfully passed her Practice Management Diploma in 1992 and obtained a Masters Degree in Health & Social Care Management in 2010.
Deputy Practice Manager
Sue joined the surgery in November 1999 and has performed a variety of administrative roles since that time. She was promoted to the role of Deputy Practice Manager in late 2008 and successfully passed her Practice Management Diploma in 2010.
District Nurses
RGN's
HCA's
Community Matron
Our community matron visits chronically ill patients in their own homes, working very closely with the GPs and hospital doctors. She can help with co-ordinating all aspects of care to ensure those with long-term, complex chronic illnesses have access to all the services available to them. This can promote independence in the home and help prevent unnecessary and unplanned hospital admissions. She can be contacted via the surgery.
The MacMillan nurses work closely with GPs, district nursing teams, voluntary agencies and hospices providing specialist advice and support to patients and their families where life-threatening illness has been diagnosed.
The MacMillan nursing team are based within the community and can be contacted between 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday and referral can be made via a GP, district nurse or hospital.
Anita Pye - Social Worker
Sarah Carr - Mental Health Linkworker
We are currently advertising for additional MI Nursing and/or Salaried GP sessions. Please see NHS Jobs for further details.