Our Team

Doctors

Dr Josephine Hewson

MbChB, DFFP, DPD

GP Partner
Female

Josephine has been a partner since 2012.  She is interested in dermatology, family planning and GP training.

Dr Gareth Smith

MBBS, PGcert ClinEd, Associate fellow of the Higher Education Academy

GP Partner
Male

Gareth has been a GP Partner since 2016. His interest is in Medical Education.

Dr James Knox

MBBS, BSc (Hons), MRCGP

Doctor
Male

Dr Knox is the practice lead for patients with a learning disability, cancer and palliative care. He is also the link GP with the Patient Participation Group.

Dr Rebecca Oliver

Doctor
Female

Dr Oliver is currently on maternity leave.

GP registrars

GP registrars are an important part of the team in our practice and over the last few years we have enjoyed meeting and working with them. GP registrars are experienced doctors who have decided on a career in General Practice. Before they come to the practice they have worked for several years in different healthcare settings in this country and/or overseas and are learning to adapt their medical skills and knowledge to the General Practice environment. For this reason they will work on rotation in a variety of different healthcare locations.

Dr Tunde Ologunde

MB;BS

GP Registrar
Male

Dr Ologunde has 7 years of experience in clinical practice. He is interested in sexual health and contraception. As well as working here, he is part of the clinical team … [continue] Dr Tunde Ologunde

Dr Rabia Ali

AKT MRCGP 2024, FCPS 2015, iMRCS 2009, MBBS 2004

GP Registrar

Dr Ali has worked as a surgeon in Pakistan, in The Republic of Ireland and more recently and locally at The Cumberland Infirmary. During her GP registration placements she has … [continue] Dr Rabia Ali

Practice nursing team

Our practice nursing services are provided by Emma, Nic and Jen. Emma and Nic are Practice Nurses. Jen is an HCA (Healthcare assistant) Please ask the receptionist when you book for a nursing appointment. They will book you into the most suitable appointment with the most appropriate member of our clinical team to meet your needs. Many routine nursing tasks are carried out by Jen. This leaves Emma and Nic's appointments available for patients requiring more complex input. We can also book appointments with a nurse or a HCA at Wigton on a Saturday. This extended service is provided by our colleagues at Cumbria Health

Mrs Emma Smith

Practice Nurse

Emma has worked at the practice since 2018. Since qualifying as a nurse in 2003, she has worked mainly in A&E with experience in medical and surgical admissions, respiratory medicine … [continue] Mrs Emma Smith

Ms Nicola Heeley

Practice Nurse

Nicola has worked for the Croft Surgery since July 2023. Prior to this she has experience of working in operating theatre recovery and in Yorkshire she worked in A&E, as … [continue] Ms Nicola Heeley

Mrs Jen Davidson

Healthcare Assistant

Jen has worked as a healthcare assistant for over 20 years both in a hospital and GP setting. Among other task Jen takes blood tests, carries out EGCs and administers … [continue] Mrs Jen Davidson

Practice manager

Mrs Joanne Paisley

Practice Manager

Jo is our practice manager, responsible for staffing and business administration. She is our longest serving member of staff, starting at The Croft in 1998 and she has worked here … [continue] Mrs Joanne Paisley

Dispensing team

Michelle

Medicines Manager

Hollie

Dispenser

Hollie is currently on maternity leave.

Emmie

Dispenser

Administration team

Samantha

Administration Manager / Referral Manager / Registrations and Removals.

Sam has worked at The Croft since June 2011. She worked in the Civil Service and as an Environmental Health technical officer Sam is the staff representative with the Patient … [continue] Samantha

Ruth

Clinical Administrator

Ruth is a retired GP. Many patients will remember as Dr Pearce from her years as a GP at this practice. Prior to that she was a GP for many … [continue] Ruth

Hollie

Document Management and Coding / Prescription Administration / Contact for Prescription Delivery Service

Hannah

Administrator / Appointments Manager / Registrations

Reception team

Our receptionist team provide the communication link between the patient, doctor, hospital, insurance companies, health authorities and other agencies. They will help you with arranging appointments and also by dealing with any queries you may have about the services we are able to offer, whilst respecting your confidentiality at all times. They have a difficult job – please help them to help you.

Hannah

Receptionist

Clare

Receptionist

Kym

Receptionist

Jade

Receptionist

Emma-Kay

Receptionist

Additional healthcare staff

Natasha Nicholson

Living Well Coach

Living Well Coach from the Wellbeing Service (may be working remotely or based at Wigton because of limited space in the Practice)

Emma Simmons

Clinical Pharmacist (Tuesday)

Emma has worked as a clinical pharmacist in GP practices in North Cumbria for over 5 years and has been here at The Croft for 1 year. Prior to this … [continue] Emma Simmons

Practice staff

Craig

Delivery Driver

Mike

Delivery Driver

David

Delivery Driver

Alan

Delivery Driver

Sylvia

Cleaner