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General Practitioners

We are a group of seven General Practitioners

	Dr Nicholas Benson BSc MB BS (London 1977) DRCOG DCH MRCGP DFFP DOccMed Dr Nicholas Benson trained in London at Kings College Hospital after a first degree in Biochemistry at the University of Sussex. He joined the Tunbridge Wells GP Vocational Training Scheme from 1979-1982 working at both the Kent & Sussex Hospital and Pembury Hospital. After a year travelling and working in Australia & New Zealand he joined Clanricarde Medical Centre in 1984. Dr Benson has always had a particular interest in General Medicine and Paediatrics. He is in charge of Clinical Governance at the surgery. He is married to Dr Deborah Flute and they have 2 children – a son who is also a Doctor training to become a GP, and a daughter who is a teacher for special needs children in Sussex.
	Dr Debbie Flute MB BS (London 1977) MRCP MRCGP DFFP Dr Debbie Flute qualified at Kings College Hospital in 1977, and started at Clanricarde on a part time basis from 1985, becoming a Partner in 1992. Her particular interests are Geriatrics and Medicine; she is also involved in teaching, and is the Practice Trainer. Non clinical interests include golf, dog walking and reading.
	Dr Nicole Averill MB BS (London 2000) DRCOG DFFP MRCGP LOCIUT MRGCP LocIUT Dr Nicole Averill qualified from Guys and St Thomas’ Medical School, London in 2000 and joined the practice in 2010. She has a special interest in Family Planning & Women’s Health and Palliative Medicine. She offers a full range of contraceptive services, including coil and Implanon fitting. When not at work, she is busy as mum to her 3 boys.
	Dr Sian Thomas MB BCh DFFP MRCGP Dr Sian Thomas qualified at Cardiff University in 1989. She has been working locally since 2001, and has been with the practice since June 2010. When not at work, she enjoys walking, riding and cycling with her family.
	Dr Kirk-Smith MB BS BSc MRCGP Dr Stephen Kirk-Smith completed his GP training in Tonbridge, having qualified from Guys & St Thomas’ in 2003. He joined the practice in July 2010. He has a keen interest in Minor Surgery. Interests outside of medicine include football and golf, and spending time with his family.
	Dr Martin Jones MB ChB MRCGP (1998 DCH) Dr Martin Jones studied Medicine at Bristol University and completed his training as a General Practitioner in 1999. He has lived and worked as a GP in West Kent for over ten years, and joined Clanricarde Medical Centre in October 2010. In addition to general medicine, his special interests include child health, musculoskeletal medicine and complementary therapies. He has extensive training and experience in acupuncture and is also a fully trained homeopathic physician. Before taking up Medicine, he studied Chinese and speaks Mandarin. He is married with two children.
	Dr Carolyn Rubens BA, MB BS (London 2002) DFFP, MRCGP, Diploma Medical Acupuncture After completing a degree in Anthropology at Durham University Carolyn trained in medicine at Guy's, Kings and St Thomas' medical school in London and subsequently as a GP. Her specialist interests are palliative care and acupuncture. She sometimes works in a pain clinic at the Royal Marsden Hospital treating cancer patients and also teaches and lectures for the British medical Acupuncture Society. She moved to Tunbridge Wells in 2008 where she now lives with her husband and two young children.
	Dr Emma Coleman - Registrar

We are a group of six GPs working in non-limited partnership.

All of the doctors have an annual appraisal, which they must successfully pass in order to carry on practicing.

Practice Manager

Mrs Lynva Adams-Dean
email: lynva.adams-dean@nhs.net

Primary Health Care Team

Senior Practice Nurse
Mrs Sandra Arnold RGN
Practice Nurses
Mrs Marian Reeve SEN
Mrs Helena Carden RGN
Reception Staff
We employ six part-time reception staff to handle the booking of appointments, to take and relay messages between yourself and your doctor, and to assist with any enquiries about the practice.

Administrative/Secretarial Staff

We employ both full-time staff and part-time staff to deal with correspondence, repeat prescriptions, and maintain the practice link with the Primary Care Trust.

GP Training

The surgery is participating in the national programme of post-graduate training for doctors by offering a placement in a GP practice to doctors who have graduated and completed at least a year as a hospital house officer. The aim of the placement is to enable these doctors to continue their development in understanding the management of unwell patients and to appreciate the way we look after our patients in the community. The doctor in training is supervised by either Dr Flute or Dr Benson who have received specific training for this role.

The surgery is accredited on an annual basis; for more information, please contact KSS Deanery.

The practice offers placements to work experience students who are interested in pursuing a career as a general practitioner. Please contact the Practice Manager if you are interested in finding out more about this.

Health Visitor

Employed by West Kent Primary Care Trust and based at the Lancaster Road Clinic.
Tel: 01892 530855

Community Midwifery

This is covered by the Community Midwifery team.
Messages can be left with Havelock Ward 01892 823535

District Nurses

Employed by West Kent Primary Care Trust and working from Clanricarde Medical Centre.

Contact via surgery 01892 526362 or out of hours on 01732 368201

Attached Staff

Psychology And Counselling
Referrals are made through your doctor.

Community Psychiatric Nurse
Contact is via your doctor.

Incontinence Advisory Nurse
Contact is via your doctor.

Diabetic Liaison Nurse
Contact 01892 823535 (Ext 3330).

Breast Care Nurse
Contact 01892 526111.

Social Services
Advises the over 65s, assessing their needs and requirements.
Contact is via Social Services on 01892 515045.

Palliative Care
We have close links with Hospice in the Weald. Contact 01892 820500.

Podiatrist
Mrs Tracey Potter (BA Hons Podiatry) is our Podiatrist. She holds a clinic every Monday afternoon between 2.00 - 6.00pm. Cost £25. Please contact Reception to make an appointment, or for more details.