Meet the Team

Doctors

Dr Maher Al-Ausi

GP Partner

MB ChB MRCS PGDIP MRCGP DFSRH

Male
Dr Al-Ausi trained at Manchester University before undertaking surgical training in London and Bristol.  When his sons were born he switched to General practice to spend more time with his family, which brought him back to the Stockport area.  He was a registrar at Marple Cottage Surgery in 2010 before becoming a partner, when Dr Wells retired, in 2013.

With his surgical background in mind he has taken over the Vasectomy Service in Stockport, and has an interest in Family Planning.  Furthermore, he continues to practise minor surgery procedures.

Otherwise his main responsibility is leading the clinical development at Marple Cottage.

Dr Al-Ausi enjoys cycling and still rides his bike to work as often as he can.

Dr Samantha Wise

GP Partner

BMedSci BMBS MRCP MRCGP

Female
I studied at Nottingham University and qualified as a Doctor in 2007. In my final year of medical school, I spent 6 weeks working at a small hospital and rural clinics in Fiji. I have travelled around the UK a bit with my training. I spent one year working in Charing Cross Hospital in London doing jobs in colorectal & vascular surgery and respiratory & acute medicine and then moved to West Wales where I spent a year completing my foundation training.

I then moved to Cardiff and did hospital medical training for 2 years in jobs including gastroenterology, cardiology, respiratory, endocrinology and infectious diseases and during this time completed my MRCP (Membership of Royal College of Physicians).

I then decided settle in the Stockport area to do GP training. During my time at Stepping Hill I have done obstetrics & gynaecology and paediatrics.

Following my GP training placement at Marple Cottage Surgery, between 2012 – 2014, I took a permanent GP role at the practice from July 2015, and became a GP Partner in 2021

Dr Raina Patel

Associate GP Partner

Female
I took over Guywood Practice from my mother Dr Lily Patel and was made an MBE in 2005 for services to healthcare in Stockport. My specialist skills include women’s health, medicines management, cancer screening and in-house contraception services including fitting, checking and removal of intra-uterine devices (coils). 

I also work at St Mary’s Sexual Assault centre in Manchester where I am a forensic physician for victims of sexual assault & child sexual abuse. I also have three young children who keep me very busy.

Dr Benjamin Liu

Salaried GP

MBChB MRCS(Ed) MRCGP

Male
I attended the University of Manchester and graduated in 2008, I spent a portion of my degree studying in New York, giving me a perspective on how another healthcare system works and also how fantastic the NHS is!

After graduating, I have spent the majority of my career in the North West, completing my foundation training in Wigan then moving into Trauma and Orthopaedic training in Manchester and North Yorkshire.

I changed career path to General Practice, training in Trafford and Salford.

After completing my GP training here at Marple Cottage, I became a Salaried GP in June 2019.

Dr Farida Mumuney

Salaried GP

Female
I graduated with a degree in Medicine from the University of Liverpool in 2014. Following my graduation, I completed my foundation years in Liverpool before embarking on core medical training across various hospitals in Merseyside.

During this time, I gained experience in endocrinology, acute medicine, elderly and stroke medicine, renal medicine, gastroenterology, and critical care. Seeking broader exposure to hospital medicine, I took on a clinical fellow role in respiratory medicine.

Ultimately, my career path shifted towards General Practice, prompting me to pursue GP training, also in Liverpool. This training included valuable experience in paediatrics and palliative care.

In this time I moved to Manchester to be closer to my family. After qualifying as a GP, I joined Marple Cottage Surgery in 2022 as a Salaried GP, where I have been practicing ever since.

Dr Amy Wood

Salaried GP

Female
I studied at Newcastle University and loved every minute of it. I qualified as a doctor in 2010. I grew up in Poynton and was keen to move back closer to home when I qualified, and I’ve been in and around Manchester ever since.

After completing foundation training. I did 2 years of core medical training, then started training and an Intensive Care Registrar for a couple of years, before moving into General Practice.

Prior to working in Marple, I worked at a surgery in Salford for a few years.

Dr Laila Jabr

Salaried GP

BA BMBS MRCGP IDEWM

Female
After deciding to study medicine a little later than most, I attended Hull York Medical School & graduated in 2016. I then moved back to the North West where I completed my hospital & GP training around Macclesfield. 

Whilst at medical school I developed an interest in how medicine and GP works in rural areas & spent 6 weeks in my final year working in a rural Scottish GP practice & a hospital on the island of Orkney.

I later completed a diploma in ‘expedition medicine’ but for now will be focussing on my work as a GP & spending time with my young family enjoying fresh air & walks in the Peak District. 

As part of my hospital & GP training I have worked in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, A&E & on medical wards (Cardiology in particular). 

I started work at Marple Cottage & Guywood in 2022. 

Dr Danny Aldcroft

GP

MBChB BSc PGCert MRCGP

Male
My name is Danny, and I graduated from the University of Manchester Medical School in 2016. I have worked across Manchester and Stockport hospitals, completing my Foundation Years training in South Manchester.
 
Before entering GP Training, I worked as a Clinical Fellow in Geriatrics and Stroke Rehabilitation for 3 years. I completed my GP training in Stockport in 2024, which included posts in Dermatology and Paediatrics, and have continued to work at Marple Cottage and Guywood surgery as a salaried GP since August 2024
 
I have keen interests in Medical Education, Care of Older People, and Child Health.

Nursing Team

Catherine Jackson

Nurse Practitioner

BA (Hons) MSc

Female
After qualifying as a Registered General Nurse in 1989 where she worked in critical care, renal medicine and in industry Catherine moved into general practice in 1997.

For two years Catherine was a practice nurse before studying for an MSc at Liverpool University, and thereafter worked in several practices in Cheshire as a Nurse Clinician whereby she can treat patients with acute medical problems and also people who have on-going long term conditions (eg high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes and COPD).

In 2004, Catherine joined Marple Cottage Surgery as a Nurse clinician, where she sees patients with acute medical problems and is able to prescribe medication as a GP would do, and also manages our diabetic, asthma and COPD.

Catherine is also an Executive Nurse at Bury CCG.

Sarah Wilkinson

Practice Nurse

Diploma in Nursing from Manchester University 2002
In 2002, Sarah attained the Diploma in Nursing from Manchester University and spent 18 months working on the Trauma and Orthopaedic Unit at Stepping Hill Hospital.

Sarah joined Marple Cottage Surgery in 2004 because she wanted to work in general practice, where health promotion is primary prevention and allows her to form strong patient relationships.

Sarah is the Asthma Lead at the practice having completed the asthma diploma from the National Respiratory Training Centre.

Sarah provides a wide range of nursing services including cervical smears, health promotion and screening, children’s vaccinations and travel vaccinations.

Rachel Lewis

Practice Nurse

Female

Joanne Royle

Senior Health Care Assistant

In 2006, Joanne joined the practice nursing team as a healthcare assistant, which involves offering appointments for blood tests, blood pressure checks, 24hr blood pressure monitoring, spirometry, ECGs and general health screening.

Joanne is now a Senior HCA also takes an active role in smoking cessation and infection control management at the practice.

Caroline Hill

Health Care Assistant

Female

Vicky Snelson

Nursing Associate

Female
Vicky joined the practice in 2012, working in the Reception / Admin team, and more recently training into a Healthcare Assistant role.

In 2022, Vicky started further training as a Trainee Nursing Associate, and completed her training as a Nursing Associate in 2024.

Practice Team

Johan Taylor

Managing Partner / Practice Manager

LLB
After training in law, followed by roles in management, sales and marketing, I joined Marple Cottage Surgery in 2003.

As Managing Partner my role involves managing the smooth running of the practice, ensuring that we provide an excellent clinical service for all our patients, whilst providing strategic and business direction for the ongoing development of the practice.

I am also a Non-Executive Director of Viaduct Care CIC, the GP Federation for Stockport.

If you would like to contact me please email johantaylor@nhs.net

Thomas Spedding

Assistant Practice Manager

I am responsible for the operational management of the practice, overseeing the administrative and IT functions of the practice.

Rhiannon Fernie

Deputy Manager – Guywood

Female

Katy Reeve

Business Support Manager

Female

Billy Leach

Patient Services Manager / Reception Supervisor

Male

Helen Hastie

Reception Supervisor

Female

Danielle Mellor

Administration

Female

Rhiannon Bowen

Reception

Louisa Greevy

Administration

Female

Julie Higginbottom

Reception

Female

Helen Walker

Reception

Female

Linda Durand

Reception

Female

Lucy Gallimore

Reception/Admin

Female

Jackson O’Hara

Reception

Male

Georgia Hodgkiess

Reception

Female

Nancy Piggott

Reception

Female

Helen Waddington

Reception

Female

Liz Hiddleston

Reception / Medicines Coordinator

Female

Karen Lewis

Reception / Admin

Female

Amanda Halliwell

Finance Administrator

Associated Healthcare Staff

Julie Holowko

Community Midwife (Marple)

Female
Our Practice Midwife at Marple Cottage Surgery is Julie Holowko

The practice is also covered by a team of midwives operating in the Stockport area, which means it might not always be Julie you see when you visit the surgery for your appointment.

When you find out that you are pregnant, if you let the surgery know we will provide you with details of your Midwife, and how to arrange your your first appointment to see her at around 8 weeks into your pregnancy.

Julie holds an antenatal clinic once a week at the surgery on Wednesdays between 08:30 – 16:30 at Marple Cottage Surgery.

Eleana Howard

Community Midwife (Guywood)

Our Practice Midwife at Guywood Practice, Romiley is Eleana Howard.

The practice is covered by a team of midwives operating in the Stockport area, which means it might not always be Eleana you see when you visit the surgery for your appointment.

When you find out that you are pregnant, if you let the surgery know we will provide you with details of your Midwife, and how to arrange your your first appointment to see her at around 8 weeks into your pregnancy.

Eleana holds an antenatal clinic once a week at the surgery on Fridays between 09:00 – 14:00 at Guywood Practice, Romiley.

Lucy Dewhurst

Mental Health Practitioner

Female
Lucy Dewhurst is a Senior Mental Health Practitioner and is available to our patients.

Lucy is employed by Pennine Care NHS Trust (who provide Mental Health Care in Stockport) but is based between the eight GP surgeries within the Stockport East & South Primary Care Network (PCN).

Her role has been created to work with people over 18 years old with mental health needs, with a specific focus on: promoting and providing early assessment, treatment and improved access to evidence-based interventions. Her role will help people to focus on achievable goals, access local community resources and promote self-management.

If you would like contact from our Mental Health Practitioner, please call the practice on 0161 426 0011 (best to avoid peak times 08:30 – 10:30) or contact us online

District Nursing Team

The District Nursing Team in Marple work alongside the surgery to provide care and services to the Marple population who are housebound and unable to attend the surgery for such care.

The District Nursing team are based at:

Marple Clinic
Memorial Park
Marple
Stockport
Cheshire
SK6 6AX

Tel: 0161 204 4777

Email: SPOA@stockport.nhs.uk

Health Visitors

Our health visitor team work from Marple Clinic in the Memorial Park where they offer Well Baby/Child Health Clinics and child health promotion clinics. They can be contacted below:

The Health Visitor team are based at:

Marple Clinic
Memorial Park
Marple
Stockport
Cheshire
SK6 6AX

Tel: 0161 426 9280

First Contact Physiotherapist

Our First Contact Physiotherapists (FCPs), James Holland and Eliza Steen, provide assessment, diagnosis and management of soft tissue, muscle and joint conditions.  All patients aged 18 & over can book an appointment to see an First Contact Physiotherapists through our Reception team.

The First Contact Physiotherapists will provide self-management and exercise advice, refer on or request further investigations, and offer joint injections in line with evidenced based practice.

You can see the First Contact Physiotherapists, for any of the following conditions:

  • All  soft tissue injuries – upper and lower limb
  • Sprains, strains or sports injuries
  • Arthritis – any joint
  • Possible problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons or bone e.g tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle sprains
  • Spinal pain including lower back pain, thoracic and neck pain
  • Spinal pain including arm / leg symptoms +/-  neurological symptoms e.g pins and needles
  • Mobility changes
  • Following Orthopaedic Surgery

Wellbeing and Self Care

Our Practice-based Wellbeing and Self Care Coordinators (Ruth – Marple Cottage Surgery and Katie – Guywood Practice) offer one to one and group work support to people who have been diagnosed, or at risk of, long-term conditions, or who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation.

The Wellbeing and Self Care Service can support patients with:

  • Long Term Conditions e.g. Hypertension, Anxiety, Depression, Asthma, Obesity and Diabetes
  • Lifestyle issues e.g. diet, physical activity, weight management
  • Money issues, relationships, housing, employment
  • Loneliness/social isolation
  • Caring issues

To make an appointment, you can self-refer by:

  • contacting 0161 249 8290 Monday to Friday, between 9am – 5pm.
  • use our online system

Care Coordinator

Our practice Care Coordinators Caroline, Hayley, Claire, Katie are available to support patients with

  • Cancer
  • Dementia / Frailty
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Safeguarding
  • Hospital Discharge & Acute Care

They provide cover across GP Practices within Stockport East & South Primary Care Network (SES PCN).

We can put you in contact with our Care Coordinator and you can do so by telephoning the practice or by emailing them directly at: via.sescc@nhs.net