Meet the Team

Doctors

Dr Paul J. Cook

Senior Partner

MB BCh(Wales)1995 Dip Paediatrics 1998(New Zealand) MRCGP 2002
Dr Cook trained and qualified as a doctor in Cardiff in 1995. His GP training continued in South Wales (including 18 months spent working in New Zealand) and was completed in 2000.  He came to Cornwall in 2001 and joined this practice in 2009 and then became a partner in 2010.

He has been involved for many years in local NHS development and management but is now back fully here at the surgery as Senior Partner. 

He is married with children and enjoys the challenge of his new hobby of marine aquariums.

Dr Kate F Embling

Partner and Clinical Lead for Coastal PCN April 2022/23

MB BS 1998, DRCOG 2001, MRCGP 2002, Dip Family Planning 2002
Dr Embling joined the practice in January 2014 and trained in London at St George’s Hospital Medical School. She subsequently moved to Plymouth where she trained and qualified as a GP in 2003.

She worked in Devon as a GP and as a part-time Staff Grade Psychiatrist in Plymouth until the birth of her daughter in 2009 when she relocated to Cornwall.

She is married with two children, she also has a border terrier who she loves taking for long walks in the Cornish outdoors.

Dr Gabriel Teff

Partner

MB BS (St George’s) 2004, MRCGP 2009, DRCOG 2007, DFFP 2007, MA(Cantab), BSc 1995
Dr Teff trained at St George’s in London, studying on the postgraduate programme, and qualified as a doctor in 2004, when he started work in Plymouth. He moved from there to Truro and completed his GP training at Bodriggy Surgery in Hayle in 2009.

Dr Teff joined our practice at the start of 2014. He is married and has two children, who seem to take up most of his time.

With his free time he enjoys reading, pottering around in the garden and following Liverpool Football Club.

Dr Matthew Cuff

Partner

BMBS (Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry) MRCGP 2016
Dr Cuff trained at Peninsula Medical School studying in Plymouth and Exeter, and qualified as a doctor in 2011.

He started work in Treliske Hospital in 2011 before starting GP training in Cornwall. He completed his GP training at Fowey River Practice in 2016, staying on as a GP before moving to Carnon Downs.

Dr Cuff joined the practice at the start of April 2017, he is married and has a young family who keep him very busy.

With his free time he enjoys sailing, being outdoors and cooking, whilst keeping an eye on the cricket .

Dr Sophie Heaton-Renshaw

Salaried GP (from Sept 2022)

MBBS 2010, DRCOG 2015, dip FRSH 2017, MRCGP 2017
Dr Heaton-Renshaw studied at Newcastle University before moving to Cornwall in 2010

She spent a year working in New Zealand as a doctor before settling back in Cornwall to complete her GP training.

She lives with her husband, mother, four young children and 3 dogs on a smallholding where they enjoy keeping pigs, sheep and chickens as well as growing lots of flowers and vegetables.

Dr Kate Fjelle

Salaried GP (from March 2024)

MBBCh 2009, BSc Hons 2007, MRCGP 2015
Dr Fjelle  studied at  Cardiff University qualifying in 2009 and went on to continue her training across South Wales before moving to Cornwall in 2018. 

After starting a family she has been working locally as a GP for the last 4 years and more recently has also been working in the Sunrise Centre at Treliske. 

When she is not busy with the family she likes to go cold water swimming, running trails or picking up a paint brush and getting crafty.

Dr Katie Davey

Salaried GP (from April 2024)

BSc 2011 MBChB 2015 MRCGP 2023
Dr Davey trained at Bristol University, studying on the postgraduate programme, and qualified as a doctor in 2015. She then moved back home to Cornwall and started work in Truro completing GP training in 2023 at our PCN partner surgery at St Agnes. 

She has covered locum shifts here at Carnon Downs and also has just completed maternity cover at another of our PCN surgeries at Chacewater. 

She lives with partner and young daughter and spends her free time completing and training her dressage horse. 

Dr Lessanie Rodrigues

GP Registrar (from August 2025)

MBBS (Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul) 2016
Dr Rodrigues joined the practice in August 2025, she is from Brazil but has now settled in Cornwall for the past 3 years.

She has experience in psychiatry in Brazil and London before moving down to the southwest and working at Three Spire Surgery. 

She has a young family and enjoys being outdoors, gardening and the beach.

Dave White

Trainee Advanced Clinical Practitioner (Specialist Paramedic)

Dave qualified in 2012 from University of Plymouth and has worked with the local ambulance service on the front line.  He also has worked in the Ambulance Service education since 2021 and is now currently working towards Specialist and Advanced Practice.

He joined the Coastal Primary Care Network in November 2021 working at Perranporth Surgery and here at Carnon Downs.  He also continues to work as part of a Specialist Paramedic Team for the ambulance service and some local Out of Hours clinical cover.

Dave enjoys the great outdoors especially walking and mountain biking – he is recently engaged and has a wedding planned for 2024. 

The paramedics are on duty all day Monday, Thursday, Friday and Tuesday morning. They work alongside our Emergency Duty Doctor by providing a clinical assessment via the telephone for patients unplanned urgent health needs.  They can also:

  • Assess, diagnose and monitor complex health conditions
  • Visiting the housebound if they are unwell
  • Carrying out tests to assist with diagnosis
  • Performing thorough examinations
  • Carrying out emergency care if needed
  • Helping patients learn how to manage their own health

Nursing Team

Mrs Sarah Truen

Lead Practice Nurse

Sarah Truen is the Lead Nurse here at Carnon Downs Surgery. She qualified in 2002 at Southampton University and spent a year working there in the Cardiac High Dependency Unit.

Sarah moved back to Cornwall in 2005 having travelled throughout various countries including being an Au Pair in the USA.

Since moving back she has worked at Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske on various wards and the last four years have been spent working on the Coronary Care Unit.

She also gained a BSC Honours Degree in Healthcare at Plymouth University. Sarah is married with two young adults and loves to spend time outside getting lots of fresh air.

Miss Alex Whaley

Practice Nurse

Alex joined the practice in October 2025 having recently returned from Australia.
She qualified from Southampton University in 2016 and began her career in a Respiratory High Dependency Unit before working as a District Nurse in both the UK and Australia. After three years in Australia, she recently relocated to Cornwall and joined the team here at the surgery. She also holds an MSc in Primary and Community Care from the University of Surrey.

Mrs Georgina Williams

Nursing Associate

Georgina is our Nursing Associate and started work here in May 2014. She works closely with the nursing team, looking after our patients who need blood tests and our INR clinics, dressings and patients with long term health conditions.

During her time off Georgina enjoys spending time with her two energetic sons and the family out and about in Cornwall.


Mrs Claire Edge

Healthcare Assistant

Claire joined us in March 2018 as our new Healthcare Assistant.

She started in healthcare at the young age of 16 and worked her way up to a Senior Carer. Claire then started working at the Royal Cornwall Hospital as a Healthcare Assistant and then moved to the Phlebotomy department for two years before joining our nursing team here.

Miss Maya Dawe

Healthcare Assistant

Maya is also part of the reception team but has recently decided to study and become on of the healthcare assistants working alongside the nursing team.

She also works for Cornwall Ambulance Service and hopes to become progress her career within the NHS, hopefully here!

Management Team

Mrs Sarah McCammon

Practice Manager

Sarah McCammon is our Practice Manager for the surgery, joining the team in Nov 2022.
Sarah has worked in Social Care and Education settings over the last 15 years most recently as the Head of People Resourcing and Development for a large care company.

Sarah lives local to the practice in Scorrier with her family and enjoys coastal walking and spending time with her children.

Mrs Alison Hunt

Assistant Practice Manager

Alison is our Assistant Practice Manager and joined the Practice in 1998.

Alison joined started as the Evening Receptionist and then qualified and became one of the Dispensary Team. She has been in the role of Asst. Manager for many years here at the surgery and she looks after the whole Admin.Team, I.T. and our general day to day operations within the practice.

She is usually found in the back office area as she is responsible for all the duties involved with helping run the daily operations. She works closely with the Reception Team alongside her Head Receptionist Julie along with Tracy and Leanne the Senior Receptionists. Alison also looks after all the communications for the surgery, all the policy management, and every clinic and all the appointments for the surgery. With such a large team and with each clinician having special requests or needs, juggling room availability, equipment, holidays and meetings, managing the rotas is a massive task which she thoroughly enjoys. She hopes you are enjoying the new look website and please feel free to let her know if there is something missing.

Administration Team

Julia Bermingham

Head Receptionist

Julia is our Head Receptionist and has been here at the surgery since 2004 and helps look after the front office on a day to day basis, managing the clinics, telephone requests and working alongside Alison with the day to day operations. 

She is supported throughout the week by Tracy and Leanne our two Senior Receptionists.  

Tracy Brothers

Senior Receptionist

Leanne Fitzgerald

Senior Receptionist

Megan

Receptionist

Maya

Receptionist

Verity

Receptionist

Sam

Receptionist and Care Coordinator

Tracey

Receptionist

Samantha

Administration Assistant

Lisa

Receptionist

Michelle

Receptionist

Nicola, Sophie, Gemma

Secretarial Team

Nicola, Sophie and Gemma deal with all of the referrals and secretarial duties for the GP’. 

If you have any queries regarding your referral you can contact them each day from 9am until 4.00pm or go online direct to the department you have been referred to.

Nicola has been with the surgery for over 20 years and has a vast experience in General Practice helping run the secretarial department and look after all our correspondence and summarising of new patient records. Sophie completed Apprenticeship in February 2018 and has joined the administration team on a permanent basis helping Nicola with the increasing secretarial workload.

She also won Cornwall Apprentice of the Year Award for Health and Social Care at the end of 2017 so we are very pleased Sophie decided to accept our offer of a permanent position. Gemma joined us in 2021 after working for 9 years at another surgery. She joined us to cover some maternity leave but has now been offered a permanent role within our team which she also accepted.

Physiotherapists

Julie Hirst

Physiotherapist MCSP SRP

Julie qualified at Cardiff UHW 1984 as a basic grade physio she worked in Yorkshire, then Kent working with the spastic’s society at a secondary school.

After moving back to her home city of Bristol she worked for several years at Southmead hospital where she developed her love for treating MSk then studying at post graduate courses in London with the MACP.  This allowed her to climb the ranks where she eventually achieved post of Supt.

Physiotherapist Outpatients running a busy department.  Developing her skills over the years including Biomechanics and gait analysis, peripheral and spinal mobilisation, cranio-sacral therapy and sports injuries.
Working alongside an Orthopaedic Consultant she was one of the first Physiotherapist Clinical Assistants assessing Orthopaedic outpatient referrals and injecting joints under supervision. 

 After moving to Worcestershire as Supt Physio in Outpatients she continued her role as Clinical Assistant here and at that time fundholding was established and one of her roles was to set up in-house physiotherapy within a GP Surgery.  During this time she commenced her own Private Practice and after getting married she then moved back to the South West living on Exmoor working within GP surgeries as a private practitioner.
Having 3 children she worked part time and moving to Cornwall 2011, she took some time out to settle her family. 

 Recently re-registering with HCPC she completed the “Return to Practice” programme working at Truro Health Park Lander Surgery in the Physio department and recently started during the summer here at Carnon Downs. 

Julie adds “It’s great to be back practising my profession within a familiar setting treating MSk conditions again”

Suzy Hamilton

Physiotherapist

Suzy trained in Yorkshire, qualifying in 1989 and then moving to London, working through junior and senior roles before moving into private practice, working at the Princess Grace and Wellington Hospitals and then in private clinics in Harley Street and also setting up independently herself. 

Her love for sport lead Suzy to study an MSc at Nottingham in sports medicine and travelling with sport teams, notably the British Kayak squad around Europe and followed them to Sydney 2000.

She moved back home to Truro to bring up her daughter in the wonderful Cornish environment and at this time set up the NHS MSK interface service in line with the Cornwall orthopaedic hip and knee consultants, working within the multidisciplinary team, referring and assessing for investigations and surgical intervention and fitting braces.  Also, during this time studying for her prescribing exams and continuing to work within the private sector in Cornwall.  

Dispensary Team

Mrs Michelle Fernie

Dispensary Manager

Michelle joined the practice at the end of 2014 having worked in Falmouth.  Michelle qualified in NVQ level 3 in 2003/04 and with City in Guilds NVQ in Pharmacy Studies in 2005. 

Michelle was promoted to Dispensary Manager in Autumn 2020.

Angela

Dispenser

Carolyn

Dispenser

Carmen

Dispenser

Tamsyn

Dispenser

Jessica

Dispenser

PCN Team

Clare Tresidder

Frailty Co-ordinator

Samantha Matthews

Care Co-ordinator

Tarna Morrison

Dietitian

Sarah Fancett

Pharmacy Technician

Tiffany Fox

Mental Health Practitioner

Sarah Gittens

Mental Health Practitioner

Thea Hollebon

Employment Specialist

Thea can help patients to:
Explore their interests, strengths, and career goals

Access suitable job opportunities that match their skills and aspirations

Receive practical help with CV writing, applications, and interview preparation

Understand how employment may affect their benefits through personalised benefits support

Connect with employers within 4 weeks of engagement – even if the patient has been out of work for a long time

Settle into and sustain employment with continued support for both the individual and their employer



















Julie Thomas-Smith

Health and Wellbeing Coach

The team can work with patients on a regular basis either meeting in the surgery or out in the community, for 6-8 sessions. Referrals must be made by your GP who will send us a message to contact you.
We can support patients struggling with mental ill health by:
Offering personalised support to overcome barriers to mental wellbeing
Supporting individuals to access their own resourcefulness
Assist with finding coping strategies, tools and techniques for managing stress, anxiety and low mood
Support patients with improving sleep hygiene and relaxation
Empowering patients to take care of their mental health independently











Sophie Holmes

Health and Wellbeing Coach

The team can work with patients on a regular basis either meeting in the surgery or out in the community, for 6-8 sessions. Referrals must be made by your GP who will send us a message to contact you.

We can support patients struggling with mental ill health by:

  • Offering personalised support to overcome barriers to mental wellbeing
  • Supporting individuals to access their own resourcefulness
  • Assist with finding coping strategies, tools and techniques for managing stress, anxiety and low mood
  • Support patients with improving sleep hygiene and relaxation
  • Empowering patients to take care of their mental health independently

Sue Hooper

Social Prescriber





























































Bryony Short

Musculoskeletal Specialists – (Expert Physio Provision)

Bryony, Ruchika and Clare are our Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practitioners and are based on the North Coast at either Perranporth or St Agnes surgery.

They all have extensive expertise in the clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of MSK (muscle or joint) conditions.

They see patients, aged 16 and over, with (suspected or diagnosed) MSK conditions, as the first point of contact, without need for a GP referral.

‘Musculoskeletal conditions’ is a broad term, encompassing around 200 different conditions affecting the muscles, joints and bones.

These conditions are a big problem in the UK; with over 17 million people living with a musculoskeletal condition, more people suffer with disability from musculoskeletal conditions than anything else.

Good health of bones, joints and muscles underpins living life well. Musculoskeletal conditions affect nearly everyone at some point in their life. They can cause pain, fatigue, restricted mobility and activities of daily living. They impact people’s lives, their work and even people’s other health conditions.

Conditions of the bones, joints and muscles represent a significant cost to the individual, the economy and health and social care.

The receptionist will book a telephone appointment with one of the team if your condition is suitable for their assessment without you having to wait to speak with a GP first.

CRITERIA INCLUDED:

  • All soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains or sports injuries
  • Arthritis – any joint
  • Possible problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons or bone eg tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle sprains
  • Spinal pain including lower back pain, mid-back pain and neck pain
  • Spinal related pain in arms or legs, including nerve symptoms, eg pins and needles or numbness
  • Changes to walking
  • Post-orthopaedic surgery

CRITERIA EXCLUDED:

  • Acutely unwell patients
  • Children under 16 years of age
  • Medical management of rheumatoid conditions
  • Women’s health, antenatal and post natal problems
  • House-bound patients
  • Medication Reviews
  • Neurological and respiratory conditions
  • Headaches
  • Acute mental health crises
  • Patient who would prefer NOT to see a FCP

Clare Platt

Musculoskeletal Specialists – (Expert Physio Provision)

Bryony, Ruchika and Clare are our Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practitioners and are based on the North Coast at either Perranporth or St Agnes surgery.

They all have extensive expertise in the clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of MSK (muscle or joint) conditions.

They see patients, aged 16 and over, with (suspected or diagnosed) MSK conditions, as the first point of contact, without need for a GP referral.

‘Musculoskeletal conditions’ is a broad term, encompassing around 200 different conditions affecting the muscles, joints and bones.

These conditions are a big problem in the UK; with over 17 million people living with a musculoskeletal condition, more people suffer with disability from musculoskeletal conditions than anything else.

Good health of bones, joints and muscles underpins living life well. Musculoskeletal conditions affect nearly everyone at some point in their life. They can cause pain, fatigue, restricted mobility and activities of daily living. They impact people’s lives, their work and even people’s other health conditions.

Conditions of the bones, joints and muscles represent a significant cost to the individual, the economy and health and social care.

The receptionist will book a telephone appointment with one of the team if your condition is suitable for their assessment without you having to wait to speak with a GP first.

CRITERIA INCLUDED:

  • All soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains or sports injuries
  • Arthritis – any joint
  • Possible problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons or bone eg tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle sprains
  • Spinal pain including lower back pain, mid-back pain and neck pain
  • Spinal related pain in arms or legs, including nerve symptoms, eg pins and needles or numbness
  • Changes to walking
  • Post-orthopaedic surgery

CRITERIA EXCLUDED:

  • Acutely unwell patients
  • Children under 16 years of age
  • Medical management of rheumatoid conditions
  • Women’s health, antenatal and post natal problems
  • House-bound patients
  • Medication Reviews
  • Neurological and respiratory conditions
  • Headaches
  • Acute mental health crises
  • Patient who would prefer NOT to see a FCP

Ruchika Dewan

Musculoskeletal Specialists – (Expert Physio Provision)

Bryony, Ruchika and Clare are our Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practitioners and are based on the North Coast at either Perranporth or St Agnes surgery.

They all have extensive expertise in the clinical assessment, diagnosis and management of MSK (muscle or joint) conditions.

They see patients, aged 16 and over, with (suspected or diagnosed) MSK conditions, as the first point of contact, without need for a GP referral.

‘Musculoskeletal conditions’ is a broad term, encompassing around 200 different conditions affecting the muscles, joints and bones.

These conditions are a big problem in the UK; with over 17 million people living with a musculoskeletal condition, more people suffer with disability from musculoskeletal conditions than anything else.

Good health of bones, joints and muscles underpins living life well. Musculoskeletal conditions affect nearly everyone at some point in their life. They can cause pain, fatigue, restricted mobility and activities of daily living. They impact people’s lives, their work and even people’s other health conditions.

Conditions of the bones, joints and muscles represent a significant cost to the individual, the economy and health and social care.

The receptionist will book a telephone appointment with one of the team if your condition is suitable for their assessment without you having to wait to speak with a GP first.

CRITERIA INCLUDED:

  • All soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains or sports injuries
  • Arthritis – any joint
  • Possible problems with muscles, ligaments, tendons or bone eg tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ankle sprains
  • Spinal pain including lower back pain, mid-back pain and neck pain
  • Spinal related pain in arms or legs, including nerve symptoms, eg pins and needles or numbness
  • Changes to walking
  • Post-orthopaedic surgery

CRITERIA EXCLUDED:

  • Acutely unwell patients
  • Children under 16 years of age
  • Medical management of rheumatoid conditions
  • Women’s health, antenatal and post natal problems
  • House-bound patients
  • Medication Reviews
  • Neurological and respiratory conditions
  • Headaches
  • Acute mental health crises
  • Patient who would prefer NOT to see a FCP