The Doctors
Dr Stephanie J Cook*
MBBCh (Oxon) 1997 MRCS DRCOG DFSRH MRCGP 2012
Having completed her medical training at Cambridge and then Oxford, Dr Stephanie Cook initially pursued a career in surgery before seeing the light and retraining as a GP when she moved to Sussex.
She has worked at Ship Street since 2013 and specialises in minor surgery and family planning and is the lead partner for learning disabilities.
She is married to a vet and has 2 young sons and when away from the surgery, can usually be found running or riding over Ashdown Forest.
Dr Elinor Flatman*
MBBS (BSMS), MRCGP (2014) DFSRH (2012)
Dr Flatman went to medical school in Brighton graduating in 2009, she then moved to Surrey and completed her GP training in Farnham. She joined the practice in 2014 after completing her training and moving back to Sussex.
She is especially interested in diabetes and family planning.
Outside of work she enjoys baking, spending time in her garden & various crafts including paper cutting & sewing.
Dr Adam Cutts
MBBS (London) DCH DRCOG MRCGP 1995
Dr Cutts qualified from St Thomas Hospital Medical School in London in 1989 and worked as a GP, GP Trainer and Forensic Physician in Finchingfield in Essex for 13 years before establishing an organisation providing Forensic Medical Practitioners to Police Forces in 2005. He worked as a Forensic Physician across the South of England for 8 years. From 2013 to 2017 he has enjoyed a career break living in Sussex. He returned to General Practice in the summer of 2017.
Complementing his medical career, he has spent time paragliding in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Argentina, but can mostly be found on or above the green slopes of the South Downs.
Working Monday and Tuesday all day.
Dr Hannah Weston-Simons
MBBS (London), MRCGP (2018)
Working Monday morning and all day Wednesday
Dr Sonali Desai
MBBS (London) BSc DCH MRCGP
GMC: 7293986
Working all day Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
* Partners in the practice.
Clinical Staff
Paramedic Practitioner
Miss Sheila Wand
I have worked for south east coast ambulance for 15 years but I'm now working 2 days a week at Ship Street and two at SECAMB. In my spare time I enjoy walking my Jack Russell terrier and moving plants around the garden.
Paramedic Practitioners are paramedics who have had advanced clinical training and have decided to move to work in the community. They will be undertaking home visits and doing minor illness clinics.
Practice Nurse
Our practice nurse is Mrs Alison Lawson
Please note
The Practice Nurse will not be able to see children aged under 14 without a parent or guardian present.
Children aged 14-16 years.
The Practice Nurse will see unaccompanied children aged between 14-16 years provided there is letter of consent signed by the parent or guardian specifying the treatment to be given.
Healthcare Assistants
Our Healthcare Assistants are Debbie Chart and Justine Twinn.
About Debbie:
Deb was born and brought up in South London, moved to Sunny Sussex nearly 20 years ago and has worked at Ship Street as Receptionist and HCA for 18 years.
Mum to 3 grown up children and grandmother to baby Millie, in her spare time she loves baking, reading and supports Crystal Palace FC. (EAGLES!)
Phlebotomy
Other Clinical Staff
The practice is also ably supported by a wide range of other clinical staff including: District Nurses, Health Visitors & Midwife
Administrative Staff
The smooth running of the practice is the responsibility of the practice manager and all the staff.
Practice Manager
Mrs Christine Earwaker
Has over 40 years experience of working in Primary Care and is Responsible for all non-clinical day to day management of the practice.
Deputy Practice Manager
Sandra Coppard
Sandra Coppard is our Deputy Practice Manager. She has worked for the NHS for 21 years.Initially she worked as a Secretary and dealing with all the IT at Ship Street Surgery and has progressed up to her current position.
She is married and has a daughter. She enjoys socialising with her friends, reading, baking and watching all aspects of sport especially football.
Teaching & Training
Ship Street Surgery is an accredited Training Practice and is linked to Mid-Sussex VTS. This means that both the Trainer and the Practice are inspected and have to meet certain standards and undergo a re-accreditation process. You may be offered an appointment with a GP Registrar who is a fully qualified doctor completing their training to become a GP. On occasions, GP Registrars may be sitting in with another GP in the surgery. You can consent or decline to have them sitting in with you if you wish.
The Surgery is also affiliated to Brighton and Sussex Medical School. We will occasionally have medical students in the Practice. They are early in their training to become doctors so will be fully supervised by another doctor. They may be sitting in on consultations to observe; normally on a Thursday afternoon with Dr Elinor Flatman. You may be asked if you would mind being involved in their education by allowing them to ask you some questions or examine you under supervision. Patient involvement is greatly appreciated and helps medical students learn to become competent doctors. You should be informed that medical students will be in attendance when you book an appointment. If you would prefer them not to be present, please inform reception staff.
Dr Elinor Flatman is responsible for medical students in the Practice and if you have any questions with regards to them, please contact her to discuss it further.