Meet the Team

Our Doctors

Dr Alison Dewhurst

GP Partner, MBChB (Liverpool 1993)

Female
I spent time as a locum in West Yorkshire and a year in Morley before joining the practice part time in 2000, though have had time out for a baby and a year in Melbourne! I enjoy all aspects of general practice. Having worked as a salaried GP at Elmwood for some years, I became a partner in 2010. Whenever I get the chance I enjoy spending time in the great outdoors with my family.

Dr Ajay Sharma

GP Partner, MBBS (1998), MRCS(Ed), MRCGP, DFSRH

Male
Originally from India, I did my medical training in New Delhi. I trained as a GP in Huddersfield and have been working in the region since 2009. I joined the practice in 2010 after deciding to settle in Holmfirth. My special interests are Musculoskeletal medicine, joint injections, minor surgery. I offer fitting and removal of contraceptive implants at the practice. I am also involved in the training of students.

Dr James D Morton

GP Partner, MB BChir MA(Cantab) MRCGP PGCME

Male
Having grown up in the Holme Valley and completing my medical training locally I am proud to be part of such a wonderful team that is committed to the delivery of high quality patient care.

Dr Gemma Ditchfield

GP Partner, MBChB (Leeds) MRCGP DPD DFFP

Female
I’m a Leeds graduate who has trained and worked exclusively in West Yorkshire.  Although not Yorkshire born and bred, I have very much come to see Huddersfield and the county as my home.  I joined Elmwood in 2015 and am very much enjoying being a Holmfirth GP and getting to know my new patients.
I have special interests in diabetes, dermatology, child and women’s health.  I’m also a GP Appraiser which allows me to meet and speak to colleagues all over Kirklees.

Dr Gareth Price

GP Partner, MBChB Sheffield 2008, MRCGP 2014

Male
I graduated from Sheffield University in 2008 and completed my GP training in 2014. Having moved to Yorkshire I joined Elmwood and became a Partner in October 2018. I enjoy all aspects of General Practice.

Dr Kelly Reddington

GP Partner, BMedSci BM BS

Female
I graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2010 and completed my GP training in Derby. I then moved back to the Holme Valley where I had grown up and joined the practice in 2015. I work in all aspects of General Practice but have an interest in Sports and Exercise Medicine. I became a Partner in October 2018.

Dr Carol Frankland

GP Partner, MBChB (Leeds 2000) MRCGP (2005) DPD

Female
I graduated in Leeds in 2000 and completed GP training in Halifax and Huddersfield in 2005, I have worked as a GP in the Huddersfield area ever since. I was very pleased to join Elmwood in 2017. I enjoy all aspects of general practice but have a special interest in Dermatology and skin surgery. I have an additional role as a Speciality Doctor in Dermatology at Barnsley Hospital. Outside of work I am married and we have 2 boys and a cocker spaniel. We live in the Holme Valley and when I have time I enjoy playing tennis and running.

Dr Karen Rhodes

GP Partner, BMedSci BM BS MRCGP DFSRH DipPallCare PGCert (Med Ed)

Female
I graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2004 and after a year working in Australia came to Yorkshire, initially training in hospital medicine and then completing GP training in 2012. I am interested in education and are working towards becoming a GP trainer and also have interests in women’s health and palliative care. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work in the beautiful Holme Valley and with a dynamic primary care team.

Dr Eloise Collins

GP Partner MBChB (Manchester 2009) , MRCGP

Female
I graduated from the University of Manchester in 2009, then subsequently relocated to the north of Scotland where I lived for 8 years, completing my GP training in Aberdeen in 2014.
After deciding to return to my home town of Holmfirth, I first spent some time as a locum GP, before joining Elmwood in June 2019.
Outside of work I enjoy being outdoors and keeping fit by jogging plus the odd triathlon and some wild swimming. I can usually be found walking around the Holme Valley with my husband Gareth and our spaniel Stanley.

Dr Danielle Frame

GP Partner, MBBS (Newcastle), MRCGP

Female
I graduated from Newcastle University in 2009 and began my GP training in the North East before relocating to Yorkshire. After completing my GP training in 2014 I worked as a Salaried GP in Bradford and Wakefield, then having moved to the Holme Valley I was pleased to join the team at Elmwood earlier in 2022.
I enjoy all aspects of General Practice and also offer steroid joint injections at the surgery.

Dr Luke Baker

Luke Baker

GP, MBChB (2012), MRCGP (2021).

Male
I qualified from Sheffield medical school in 2017 and completed my GP training in Chesterfield in 2022. I was delighted to join the team at Elmwood Family Doctors after deciding to move closer to home with my family. I work full time in all areas of general practice.

Dr Annie Hobson

Our Advanced Clinical Practitioners

Elisabeth Stewart

Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Female
I qualified as a nurse in 2008 in Sheffield and began working on the inpatient Urology ward. After a year I moved to Cardiac Intensive Care, where I spent 5 years looking after patients following major heart surgery and completed my Critical Care qualification. I then began my Advanced Practice training in Renal Transplant. Prior to my move to Elmwood Family Doctors, I worked for the Hospital Out of Hours team for 6 years. This involved triaging and assessing patients hospital wide under all medical and surgical specialties. It is here I completed my Masters in Advanced Practice in 2018. I feel very fortunate to have joined the team here at Elmwood in 2023 and look forward to learning and practicing within a primary care setting.

Nigel Lambley

Advanced Clinical Practitioner

Male
I joined the Ambulance Service in 2003, going on to qualify as a Paramedic in 2005 working in the local area on ambulances and rapid response vehicles. I began my advanced practice journey in 2014, when I moved to Sheffield to train as an Emergency Care Practitioner, during which I gained my master’s degree in health studies and qualified as an independent prescriber.
Outside work I like to spend my time mountain biking with my son and walking in the local area with my wife.

Farhana Begum

Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Female
I qualified as a nurse in 2014 from the University of Leeds and worked predominantly in Acute Medicine and Accident & Emergency. I then went on to work within Urgent Care services (urgent treatment centres/walk-in centres/out of hours GP services) in West Yorkshire, where I completed my Masters in Advanced Clinical Practice. I joined Elmwood in Feb 2024 and I am very much looking forward to working within primary care.

Jane Grieve

Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Female
I trained to be a registered Nurse in York, and on qualifying I worked in Manchester, New Zealand and France. I returned to the Holme Valley in 2002 and have been working as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner for the last 15 years in a GP Practice in Fartown. I was really happy to join Elmwood Family Doctors in July 2024.
I have a special interest in women’s health and am trained to fit Intrauterine Contraceptive Devices and Sub Dermal Contraceptive Implants.
Outside of work I like to spend time with my husband, 2 children and our dogs and horses.

Our Pharmacy Team

Jane Hinsley

Senior Clinical Pharmacist

Female
I qualified as a pharmacist from Bradford University in 1999 and have worked in several different areas of pharmacy around the West Yorkshire since including community pharmacy, prisons, psychiatric hospitals as well as extensive work in care homes and domiciliary settings. In my free time I like to travel, listening to music and go out on my bike.

James Beaumont

Clinical Pharmacist

Male
I qualified as a pharmacist from the University of Huddersfield in 2017 and started practicing at Doncaster Royal Infirmary. After leaving hospital I worked in a community pharmacy for several years before applying for the position of primary care network pharmacist. Since joining Elmwood Family Doctors I have trained as an independent prescriber to further help the local community with their healthcare needs. Hobbies and interest include cycling, painting, walking and badminton. However, most of my spare time is spent with my family having two young boys.

Rebecca Marriott

Pharmacy Technician

Female
I have worked in community pharmacy for 15 years before joining the Valleys Primary Care Network in December 2022, being based at Elmwood from January 2023.
Outside of work I enjoy reading, particularly sci-fi, gardening and model painting.

Our Nursing Team

Samantha Knight

Lead Practice Nurse

Female
I qualified as a nurse in 2008 from the University of Huddersfield. After a brief stint at Leeds General Infirmary, I joined the District Nursing Service mostly working in the Holme Valley area. I also worked for the NHS 111 service and Kirkwood Hospice alongside my District Nursing role. I moved into Practice Nursing in 2017 and joined the Elmwood team in 2019.
Outside work I am kept busy by my children and have many hobbies including walking, crochet and Karate.

Ruth Johnson

Practice Nurse

Female
After qualifying as a Nurse from the University of Northumbria in 2009 I spent 2 years working in A&E in the North East of England, before my husband and I returned to Yorkshire to settle back in the village that I grew up in. I have spent a further 8 years working in A&E before moving into Practice Nursing and joining the Elmwood team in July 2019.
Outside work I have a young family who keep me extremely busy. We love spending time together outdoors, particularly visiting the East Yorkshire coast. In any rare moments of ‘spare’ time I also enjoy a variety of crafts.

Christine Tew

Practice Nurse

Female

Kathryn Wadsworth

Practice Nurse

Female

Amy Allan

Trainee Nurse Associate

Female
I joined the Elmwood team in 2020 where I started as a receptionist and was lucky enough to become a Healthcare Assistant (HCA). With the support of the practice I have completed a Level 4 HCA qualification through Teeside University.
I’ve always had a passion for looking after others and naturally fell into this role, where I have been able to fulfil my life long dream of trying to make a difference to others, which I love, and I’m hoping one day to become a qualified nurse (fingers crossed!)
Fun fact, my Mum also works at the practice – which really puts the Family in Elmwood Family Doctors.
Outside of work I am an extremely proud Mummy of a little girl. I enjoy spending time with all my family, especially my Grandparents.

Richard Brook

GP Assistant

Male
I have been in healthcare for over 20 years with experience in pre-hospital, endoscopy, surgical, District nursing and Urgent community response.
I further qualified as an Assistant practitioner through University, and am now enjoying my new role as a GP Assistant for the Valleys Primary Care Network, based at Elmwood.
I cover a range of areas – phlebotomy / ECG / wound care / health check assessments / pre-op vasectomy / vaccinations and immunisations to even clerical duties to help relieve pressure from GP’s and others professionals.
Out of work, I enjoy spending time with friends and undertaking charity work as a trustee and Chairman of the Royal British Legion.

Lauren Cooper

Nurse Associate

Female
I joined Elmwood in 2022 where I started my qualification to become a Trainee Nurse Associate. Prior to this I worked on an Orthopedic ward for 8 years as a Healthcare Assistant.
Outside of work I have two little daughters who keep me very busy! I also enjoy running and spending time with my family and friends.

Alexa Page

Healthcare Assistant

Female
I started my working life as a voiceover for radio and over the years have worked in museums, the charity sector and Social Services. In February 2018 I was lucky enough to be offered the role of Receptionist here at Elmwood Family Doctors, and in December was thrilled to be accepted as the new Trainee HCA. I am excited to be on this adventure and cannot wait to see what the future holds for me. I have a wonderful daughter who now lives in London and in my spare time I create silver jewellery and have a mad dog who seems to love destroying every pair of shoes I own!

Emma Rigby

Healthcare Assistant

Female
I joined Elmwood in October 2020. I first began my career in 2000 as a medical secretary for Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust where I then went on to train as a Health Care Assistant in the Endoscopy Unit within the same trust before relocating to Huddersfield. Prior to joining Elmwood Family Doctors, I worked as a Health Care Assistant for Locala Community Nursing.
I am married with two horses, a dog and a cat and in my spare time I enjoy walking, riding and looking after my two horses, holidays and eating out.

Aleksandra Walker

Healthcare Assistant

Female
I joined Elmwood in September 2013, when I moved to Holmfirth. Having previously worked as a community support worker with adults with learning disabilities, I saw this job as an exciting opportunity to fulfil my dreams in caring for people and learning new interesting skills.
Outside of work, I am a very busy mum of 4 children. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and going for local walks in the beautiful Holme Valley area.

Trainees

Dr Mipuruaziba Aranye-Okilo

GP Registrar

Female

Dr Keyur Bhattarai

GP Registrar

Male

Dr Muminah Malik

GP Registrar

Female

Dr Christopher Odah

GP Registrar

Male

Our Management Team

Sarah Shepherd

Managing Partner

Female
I graduated from University with a degree in Management and Business Economics, and have since worked in different management roles across the NHS, including urgent care, planned care and lastly primary care where I found my true passion in healthcare. I joined Elmwood in October 2018 and feel very lucky to work in such a fantastic practice which puts patients at the heart of everything.
I am married with 2 young children which takes up most (if not all!) of my spare time.

Jennifer Brown

Human Resources Manager

Female
I have worked in HR since 2004 and in this time I gained my CIPD qualification, which has given me in-depth knowledge to support my role as a generalist HR Manager. I started working for Elmwood in August 2022 and this has given me the opportunity to support the practice with its forward thinking, HR strategic approach, making it a great place to work for both existing and potential future colleagues.
Originally from Manchester, I moved into the Holmfirth area in 2014, and both my family and I enjoy taking part in community activities.

Graham Brown

Operations Manager

Male
I joined Elmwood in June 2018 and have been proud to work in various roles within the practice. I took on the role of Operations Manager in December 2021, overseeing the day-to-day running of the practice. I am also the management representative for the Elmwood Patient Participation Group (PPG).
Born and bred in Huddersfield, I am pleased to now call Holmfirth my home and feel privileged to live and work in such a vibrant community. Outside of work I enjoy reading, walking around the lovely Holme Valley countryside and being at the beck and call of my very noisy and very demanding cat!

Wendy Garside

Finance Manager

Female
I joined the team at Elmwood Family Doctors in July 2010 and I really enjoy working here. My finance role has grown over the years as it is a large practice. The whole team work well together to provide excellent patient care in a pleasant environment.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband and daughter. I also enjoy reading, drawing, keeping fit and a glass of Prosecco or two with friends!