Vale Surgery

Staff

Doctors

Dr. Robert A H Harvey

General Practitioner

BSc MBBS DRCOG Dip Sport & Exercise Medicine MSc MRCGP; Qualified: 1986 Specialty: Orthopaedics specialising in Sports Injuries

I qualified from St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington in 1986 and then took up GP vocational training at Cuckfield Hospital. I became a GP Principal at Cuckfield in 1990. I further specialised and gained a Diploma in Sports and Exercise followed by an MSc in the same subject.

I carry out a minor surgery clinic once a month at The Vale. Patients can make appointments to see me if they think my skills are appropriate to their problem.

Alternatively book with any of the GPs and they will ask me for advice in management or advise you to book an appointment to see me.

I currently work Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays.

Surgery hours

Tuesday 8:30am to 6:00pm

Special interests

MSc Dip Sports Medicine & Exercise. Orthopaedics, particularly upper limb and sports injuries

GMC General Medical Council number

3178728

Qualifications

MBBS Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

MRCGP Member Royal College of General Practitioners

MSc Master of Science

Dr Grant Bucher

General Practitioner

I qualified from Brighton and Sussex Medical School in 2014 before undertaking my first years of medicine in Salisbury. I moved back to Sussex and did my General Practice training in Worthing before joining Cuckfield as a salaried GP. I grew up in Mid Sussex and actually attended Warden Park School many years ago so have finally come full circle! I now work at the practice on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. I have a particular interest in ear, nose and throat issues having gained experience in this area during my training. I’m a keen chess player, and also enjoy running, football, golf and most other sports.

Surgery hours

Wed & Thurs 9.00am to 6.00pm

GMC General Medical Council number

7451932

Qualifications

BM Bachelor of Medicine

BS Bachelor of Surgery

Dr Louise Cotter

General Practitioner

MBCHB, Bmedsci, MRCGP, DRCOG Qualified: 2009

I qualified from Birmingham Medical School in 2009, where I had also completed a Biomedical Science degree in Psychologica Medicine.  I then worked as a junior doctor in the Birmingham area. I moved to Brighton to complete my training in general practice in 2011. Since qualifying as a GP, I have worked in the Sussex area as a locum, as well as having a salaried GP post. I joined Cuckfield Medical Practice as a Salaried GP in 2016, becoming a partner in April 2018. I have an interest in elderly care medicine, having completed the Diploma for Geriatric Medicine.  I am the prescribing lead for the practice, as well as being an FY2 (training doctor) supervisor.  I am also involved in the training and supervision of Physician associates within the practice. Outside of work, I enjoy spending as much time as possible in my VW campervan!

I currently work alternate Tuesdays, Wednesdays (including early morning appointments), Thursdays and Fridays.

Surgery hours

Wednesday 8:30am to 6:00pm Friday 8:30am to 6:00pm

GMC General Medical Council number

7038661

Qualifications

BMedSci Bachelor of Medical Sciences

DRCOG Diploma Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

MBChB Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

MRCGP Member Royal College of General Practitioners

Dr Sophie Whitehouse

General Practitioner

Dr Whitehouse qualified from Newcastle University in 2011. Following this she has moved around every few years gaining varied experience at home and overseas, including a two year post in New Zealand. She is now very happy to be settling down in beautiful Sussex with her family. She loves being outdoors, holidays and hiking. Having recently walked a lot of the South West Coast Path, she now has her sights set on the South Downs Way!

Surgery hours

Mondays

GMC General Medical Council number

7130978

Qualifications

MBBS Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery 2011

Dr Sarah-Jayne Burns

General Practitioner

Dr Burns qualified from Brighton and Sussex Medical School in 2009. Dr Burns worked as a junior doctor for two years in Hastings and then started her general practice training in Brighton and Haywards Heath. She completed her general practice training at the practice as a registrar in 2013. Dr Burns initially worked in a salaried role and has been a partner since 2018. Dr Burns has a particular interest in sexual-health, family planning and womens health. She runs two family planning clinics a month. Dr Burns is also interested in teaching and regularly supervises a Foundation doctor on 4 month rotations in general practice.

Outside of work Dr Burns enjoys running (although this is predominantly after her toddler at present), she really enjoys sewing, photography and scuba diving (however this is more a challenge since the toddler!)

Dr Burns currently works Mondays, Tuesday and Wednesdays (including early morning appointments).

Special interests

Family Planning Sexual Health Teaching

GMC General Medical Council number

7049271

Qualifications

MBBS Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

MRCGP Member Royal College of General Practitioners

Dr Susan Ferrier

General Practitioner

MRCGP, MBBS, BSc Psychology Qualified: 2006

After qualifying at St George’s Hospital Medical School in London, I worked as a junior doctor in Chertsey and Brighton. I then moved to Perth in Australia and worked in A&E and Paediatrics. Keeping up my love of the seaside I moved back to Brighton in 2010 where I undertook my GP training. Since then I gained experience as a locum in many practices across Sussex until starting work at Cuckfield in February 2014. In April 2015 I became a Partner at the Practice and I am currently the Caldicott Guardian, Information Governance and Health & Safety Lead. In 2018 I completed a Diploma in Education and have now taken over the training role as a supervisor for new doctors training to be GPs. ​I also have an interest in ENT problems and since the local PCT discouraged the use of ear syringing, have re-started the Microsuction service at the practice. Outside of work I am a regular runner and have travelled widely and have spent time gaining experience of different health systems in Ghana, India, Peru and of course Australia.

I currently work Tuesdays, Wednesdays (including early morning appointments), Thursdays and Fridays.

GMC General Medical Council number

6141441

Qualifications

BSc Bachelor of Science

MBBS Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

MRCGP Member Royal College of General Practitioners

Dr Anna McDougall

General Practitioner

Dr Mcdougall graduated from Brighton Medical School and completed her general practice training in Hackney in 2017. She subsequently re-located back to Sussex with her family and will be working with us on Mondays and Tuesdays. Dr Mcdougall has a keen interest in palliative care and has worked in one of the countries biggest Hospices. Dr Mcdougall is a keen skier, loves to cook and recently has taken up running.

GMC General Medical Council number

7082508

Dr Matthew Standen

General Practitioner

Dr Standen graduated from Southampton University with a bachelor of Medical Science Degree. He successfully completed his general practice training in 2018 and comes to us from Mid-Sussex Health Care. Sport is very important to Dr Standen and he is an active member of Pyecombe Golf Club.

Dr Standen will be providing a full year maternity cover and joins us in October 2018, working Wednesdays’ Thursdays & Fridays.

GMC General Medical Council number

7413921

Reception & administration staff

Ms Jess Yaxley

Practice Manager

I have been Practice Manager with Cuckfield Medical Practice & The Vale Surgery since April 2015.  I provide overall management leadership to the Practice.  I am based at the Cuckfield site for the majority of the week. I work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and my key priority is ensuring, that we as Practice, offer the best possible care to our patients.  Outside of the Practice I am the PM Director for Alliance for Better Care, which is the local GP Federation of which the Practice is a member and I am also on the Committee for the West Practice managers Association (WSPMA) representing the Mid Sussex Practices.

Management Support

I am supported in my role by our Operations Manager, Debbie Brownings, our  Referrals Manager, Alison Woolford, and our Finance Manager Tracey Johnston. 

Reception Team

We have a team of very experienced receptionists who are responsible for ensuring our Patients are welcomed into the Practice in a professional and friendly manner and act as a liaison between patients and our clinicians. Our Receptionists have a difficult and demanding job to do but are here to help you. Debbie Brownings, as Operations Manager  oversees the day-to-day running of the reception staff and the efficient working of the reception process.

Please note that all the practice staff are bound by strict rules of confidentiality.

Services

We are fortunate enough to have an excellent Midwife who offers a service second to none at both Cuckfield and The Vale Practice. She runs clinics every Thursday and will meet frequently with women throughout their pregnancy.

For any urgent queries related to pregnancy our Community Midwife may also be contacted via the Princess Royal Hospital telephone number 01444 441881 Ext. 8414 between the hours of 8:30am-9:30am on weekdays.

This service requires a referral by your GP

Dr Harvey runs a dedicated Dermatology session once a month at The Vale. This is largely booked for minor surgery procedures We provide a Cryotherapy service which is suitable for some small lesions such as troublesome sun damage and involves a controlled freeze using liquid nitrogen.

This can only be provided at The Vale because of the difficulties of storing liquid nitrogen. If you have had this treatment previously and feel it may be required again please book your appointment at The Vale. Otherwise a Dermatology opinion can be provided in a normal appointment at any site.

This service requires a referral by your GP

Dr Ferrier has an interest in ENT and can offer a microsuction service with specialist equipment based at the Vale. Your GP will assess whether this applies to you and will book an appointment for you.

This service requires a referral by your GP

All the doctors including our Registrars are able to discuss matters on family planning. Please enquire at reception if you would like an appointment.

A family planning clinic takes place once or twice a month at the Vale for coils and implants. If you are interested in attending please enquire at Reception.

This service requires a referral by your GP

Dr Harvey carries out minor surgery procedures once a month at The Vale. These appointments cannot be directly booked, but any doctor can assess your suitability for this surgery. Please note NHS services cannot carry out cosmetic procedures and we are required to adhere closely to a Low Priority Procedure list which regulates what we can do. 

Dr Gurner carries out Dermatology related minor surgery once a month and your doctor can add you to the waiting list if suitable. We aim to perform your procedure within 6 weeks whenever possible.

This service requires a referral by your GP

The TIME TO TALK service provides talking therapies (psychological therapies – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or CBT, counselling, and guided self-help) to help patients understand and change their thoughts and feelings to get well and stay well.

Patients who need support from the Community Mental Health team have the opportunity to see their CPN at the surgery for some appointments. Patients who are referred for talking therapies to help them deal with problems such as anxiety and depression are sometimes offered appointments with the Counsellor or Cognitive Behaviour Therapist at Cuckfield. (This service is currently provided by Time to Talk).

This service requires a referral by your GP

Our Travel Clinics are run by our Practice Nurses.
If you are contemplating a foreign trip, contact the surgery well in advance of your departure date for advice about vaccinations to ensure we can accommodate you.

Please be aware that occasionally there are immunisations that can only be administered at Cuckfield Medical Practice. We are a 2 site surgery and we do operate Travel Clinics at The Vale, however there are some vaccinations that must be refrigerated and must not be moved between sites.

We are a registered Yellow fever travel Clinic and this vaccination can only be administered at Cuckfield Medical Practice.

Your first appointment will be a 30 minute Travel Consultation appointment where the Travel Nurse will discuss where you are travelling, what you will need and plan your schedule of immunisations before you depart the UK.

Facilities

• Disabled parking (yes)
• Disabled WC (yes)
• Induction loop (yes)
• Wheelchair access (yes)
• Step free access (yes)
• Car Parking (yes)
• Disabled parking (yes)