Doctors

We believe in the old-fashioned personal touch  so run a "personal list" system.  This means that, to maintain continuity of care, we like you to see your own doctor for routine appointments unless he or she is away from the practice or it is more appropriate for you to be seen by another member of the team. 

By special arrangements you may be able to see another partner for a specific problem. 

Choice of doctor

When patients register with us they sometimes ask to be registered with a specific doctor.  We have 10 doctors and the only fair way of spreading the load is for doctors (whose list size is not already over the upper limit) to take registrations on a daily rota basis.  This is the decision of the partnership and the system works well.

We have four part-time female doctors whose list size means they are unable to accept everyone who requests a female doctor.  At registration new patients will need to accept registration with the doctor taking registrations on that day.  We will record that a preference for a female or other doctor was indicated and if they wish they will be put on a waiting list for a female doctor.  The waiting list at the moment stands at 3-4 months.   Patients on the waiting list will need to see their registered doctor while they wait for space on a female list.  They will  be contacted when a space becomes available

We have 2 female Nurse Practitioners, who are available daily if you need to see a female doctor. Nurse Practitioners are Registered Nurses who have completed extensive additional education, training, and have a dramatically expanded scope of practice over the traditional Registered Nurse Role. They are also able to write prescriptions and make hospital referrals as required.

The doctors' working day

For each doctor we have set out a timetable for routine consultations.  Other commitments may necessitate changes to this schedule.

Time spent in surgery consulting with patients makes up about half of a doctor's working day.  The remainder of the day is taken up with paperwork, repeats prescribing, home visits and striving to ensure the smooth running of the practice.

Our doctors

Dr Rob Schuster Bruce

BSc Hons MBBS London 1986 MRCP

(UK) DRCOG MRCGP Dip Occ Med

Born in Dorset. Trained and worked in London and then locally. Married with three children. Keen on sport and the outdoors.  

Dr Tessa Bevan Jones

MBBS London 1982 DRCOG MRCGP

Trained at Bartholemew's in London. Hobbies include ski-ing and reading.

Dr Stephen Morgan

MA MB BChir (Cantab) MSc MRCGP

Trained in Cambridge and London then worked as a GP in Southampton while also undertaking medical research. Married with three sons.

Dr Lawrence Brad

MB BCh 1989 DCH MRCGP

Devon born and bred. Worked in South Wales, South Devon, London and New Zealand. Keen on sports and outdoor pursuits.

Dr Tabitha Smith

BSc BM DRCOG DFSRH MRCGP

Studied at Southampton University and completed GP training in Poole in 2007. In the two years prior to starting at Westbourne worked as a freelance locum GP in many different practices in the local area. Also involved in GP education as a Programme Director for the Dorset GP Training Scheme. Outside work enjoys running and cycling in the New Forest. Married to an orthopaedic surgeon-in-training, with a mischievous tortoise and a growing vegetable garden.

Dr Gareth Edwards

BSc MBBS DFFP DRCOG MRCGP

Born and brought up in Bournemouth and trained in London. After graduating worked in a variety of hospital specialties in Dorset, Cornwall, Devon, Scotland and Australia. Most time in general practice has been in Edinburgh although did work in a practice in New Zealand for a year. Hobbies include

ski-ing, hill walking and when in warmer climates enjoys a variety of water sports.

Dr Ken Gallimore

Ken spent several years working as a senior accident & emergency doctor at Poole Hospital, and more recently as a GP. Ken has 2 young children and lives locally in Poole.

Dr Fran Sanders

BSc Hons MBBS MRCGP

Qualified London 1998. Previously worked as a GP in Swanage. She has a special interest in Patient Participation Groups and is also a newly qualified trainer so will bring new skills to the team. She has 2 young children and lives locally in Poole.

Dr Emma Hickey  

MRCP MRCGP

Works as a GP Retainer, assisting Dr Brad with his patients.