Our Staff

Doctors

  • DR PERVEZ MUZAFFAR

    MBBS, MRCGP - GMC 5083713

    Dr Muzaffar is one of our GP Partners at the practice and has been with Darwen Healthlink since 2004. Dr Muzaffar trained as a GP locally and has held various positions in PCT and the CCG as Executive Member and Communication Engagement Lead. He is currently the Director of Darwen PCN and the Clinical Lead for ELMS Out of Hours Service provider for East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen. Dr Muzaffar also supports and gets involved in Health Improvement Project, Social Integration and Raising the Awareness about Immunisations, Organ Donations and Screenings. Dr Muzaffar’s aim is to serve patients and the Community with the best possible care which they deserve, and he is proud to be working for the NHS. Dr Muzaffar works Monday-Friday. Spoken Languages - English, Urdu and Punjabi.

  • DR SUNIL JESTHI

    MBBS, DGM, MRCGP, DPD - GMC 5207056

    Dr Jesthi is one of our GP Partner's and has done the Diploma in Dermatology at Cardiff University and has trained in Dermatoscopy and Skin Cancer Diagnosis. Dr Jesthi works Monday-Friday and is happy to see anyone with any worrying Moles or Skin Lumps. He is also trained to administer joint injections. Spoken Languages - English, Hindi and Urdu.

  • DR NAYLEA CHOUDRY

    MBBS, MRCGP, DRCOG, Distinction DFFP and PGDDERM - GMC 6027718

    Dr Choudry is one of our GP Partners. Dr Choudry qualified in London, is a Lead in Medical Education, GP Trainer and an Undergraduate Training Lead for Medical Students. Also, she is the lead in Medicine Audits, Quality and Improvement and Safeguarding Lead. Dr Choudry works Tuesday-Friday and has special interests in Women's Health, Child Health Surveillance and Minor Surgery. Spoken Languages - English, Punjabi and Urdu.

  • DR AADIL PATEL

    MBBS, MRCGP - GMC 7487593

    Dr Aadil Patel is one of our GP partners at the Practice. He works Monday to Wednesday. Dr Patel Graduated Medical School in 2014 and completed GP Training locally in East Lancashire. He joined Darwen Healthlink initially as a Trainee GP in 2020 before joining as a salaried GP and more recently becoming a GP partner. His interests are Child's Health, Women's Health and Medical Education. Spoken Languages - English, Guajarati and Urdu.

  • DR NADIA KAUSER

  • DR SAHDIA CHOUDRY

    MBChB MRCGP DFSRH

    Locum GP - Dr S Choudry, Graduated from The University of Manchester in 2007. She completed all her training in Blackburn and East Lancashire and has been a qualified GP since 2012. Dr Choudry's special interests are Family Planning & Sexual Health, Child Health Surveillance, Women's Health, and Teaching/Mentoring. She is also qualified to train FY2 doctors and medical students, undertake minor surgery and fit contraception devices. Languages spoken: English, Urdu and Punjab.

  • DR CHARLOTTE POLLARD

    BSc (Hons), MBChB (Hons & Dist.), GMC 7489953

    Dr Pollard is a Salaried GP who joined the Practice in 2025. She was raised in East Lancashire and studied Medicine and Pathology at the University of Manchester, graduating in 2015. After this she commenced rotational training in Liverpool and returned to East Lancashire during the pandemic where she went on to complete her GP training in 2022. In her spare time she enjoys walking her dog. Dr Pollard's clinics are on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

  • DR SOLEDAYO ALO

    Dr Alo is one of our newest Salaried GP’s at Darwen Healthlink. Dr Alo, obtained his M.B.B.S in 2009 and trained in General Practice in East Lancashire. His Medical Interests are Men’s Health and Dermatology. Dr Alo works Monday and Tuesday.

Medical Trainees

Darwen Healthlink is an approved training practice that provides training for GP's, FY2's, Student Nurses and Medical Students.

  • DR MAHWISH RIAZ

    Dr Riaz is one of our newest members to the Healthlink Team. Dr Riaz is a Trainee GP at the Practice replacing our previous Trainee GP Dr Shamraiz. She qualified in Pakistan and has been working at Royal Blackburn Hospital since 2017, working in different departments such as A&E, ENT, Medicine, Paediatrics and Psychiatry. Dr Riaz’s working days are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

  • DR ROSHEEN KHAN

    ST3

    Dr Khan is a GP Registrar currently training at the Practice. She graduated from Manchester Medical School and has interests in Mental Health and Women's Health. Dr Khan works Wednesdays-Fridays and her spoken languages are English and Urdu.

  • DR ALEXANDER LOMAX

    FY2

    I am currently a Foundation Year 2 Doctor. I was born and raised in East Lancashire. I am also a long - suffering Blackburn Rovers supporter and season ticket holder! After completing my A levels I studied Medicine at the University of Exeter, graduating in July 2023. Since my graduation from medical school, I have worked as a Doctor in the Royal Blackburn Hospital rotating across 5 different departments. I look forward to meeting the people of Darwen during my 4-month placement at the practice. I will be running clinics every week on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Advanced nurse practitioners (ANP) are specialist nurses who have undertaken additional qualifications in addition to their nursing training which allows them to assess and treat patients and be accountable for their decisions.

  • LISA MURRAY

    Dip HE Registered Nurse in Adult Health, RCN advanced Nurse Clinical Practitioner, Masters Advance Patient Assessment and diagnostic skills, Cert V300 Non medical prescribing, QNI Queens Nurse

    Lisa has been a Nurse since 2006 and has worked as an Advanced Nurse Practitioner since 2014. Lisa is also, a Queens Nurse. As an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Lisa is able to undertake comprehensive and sophisticated Physical and/or Mental Health Assessment of Patients with Complex Multiple Needs and/or in crisis. She is also, able to interpret the results of multiple different assessments and investigations in order to make a diagnosis, and plan and deliver care. Lisa is able to prescribe and work with individuals to manage their medicines. Lisa's working days are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Clinical Associates

Clinical Associates are Health Professionals who have received intensive training in other types of clinical practice. They have then undertaken further intensive training to allow them to compliment the range of skills within general practice

  • HAROON PATEL

    Clinical Pharmacist

    Haroon is a Clinical Pharmacist based at the Practice. Haroon has worked as a Community Pharmacist for many years starting his career as a Pre-Registration Pharmacist and then Community Pharmacist at Boots The Chemist in Darwen. Thereafter, he has worked at various Independent and Multiple Pharmacies in the Blackburn and East Lancashire area. Along with Community Pharmacy, he has also worked as a Medicines Management Pharmacist for Blackburn with Darwen CCG Medicines Management Team for a number of years, supporting various GP Practices within the area. Haroon's current role as a Clinical Pharmacist is to support the Practice team and patients with Medication related advice and guidance. Haroon can see patients for Medication Reviews and Medication related queries along with supporting medication use for Chronic Conditions. Haroon's appointments can be accessed via the Practice's Medication or Reception team. Haroon's working days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Spoken Languages - English, Gujarati and Urdu.

  • SUMAYYA PATEL

    Pharmacy Technician

    Sumayya is our Pharmacy Technician at the Practice. Sumayya qualified as a Pharmacy Technician in 2013, she has worked across Community and Hospital Pharmacies. Her current role involves her working closely with Haroon our Senior Clinical Pharmacist by dealing with Medication Queries, Helping in Quality, and Improvement Projects within the Practice. Sumayya is also a Qualified Holistic Therapist which helps her greatly in advising patients on Leading a Healthy Lifestyle. She enjoys helping patients and is a Proud Member of the Darwen Healthlink Team. Sumayya's working days are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Spoken Languages - English, Guajarati, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.

  • VICTORIA ROBERTS

    Mental Health Practitioner

    Vicky is a Mental Health Practitioner based in the GP Surgeries across Darwen. Vicky is a Mental Health Nurse, and her role is to Triage, Assess, Complete Formulations, Support Treatment Plans and Educate individuals on their Mental Health needs. Vicky, also supports Discharges from Secondary Care Services, such as the Community Mental Health Teams, to reduce the risk of relapse in the Community. Vicky's appointments can be accessed by contacting Reception or speaking to your GP. Vicky's working days are Monday and Thursday.

  • SALIM RAVAT

    Clinical Pharmacist

    Salim is a Clinical Pharmacist based at the Practice. Salim is passionate about Healthcare and has dedicated his career to helping people live Healthier Lives through the proper use of Medications. His experience has been developed working in Community-based Pharmacies. Salim has extensive Medicines Management Skills which he has developed whilst working with the many Professionals who make up the NHS. His role in this Practice is to help deal with Medication Queries, undertake Medication Reviews and offer other services which will help patients understand their condition better and help make the most of their medications they have been supplied with. Salim's working days are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Trainee Pharmacist

  • OREMEYI JACOB

Nurses

Our highly qualified nurses deal with a range of conditions and health concerns. They examine patients, make a diagnosis and plan care, including prescribing certain products.They are experts in many areas of disease management such as diabetes and asthma. They can be seen during normal surgery hours – by appointment where possible – and at specific clinics.

  • SUSAN GRAHAM

    NMC 92J0112E

  • CHLOE LINNELL

    NMC 12G1087E

    Chloe qualified as a Registered Nurse in 2013 and joined the Practice in 2019 after working at Royal Blackburn Hospital. Chloe sees patients in clinic for Chronic Diseases such as Diabetes, Asthma & COPD, Childhood Immunisations, Travel Vaccinations & Cervical Screening. Chloe works Monday - Wednesday and is also a Mentor for Student Nurses.

  • JULIA MCCLELLAND

    NMC 93D0063E

    Julia has been Qualified as a Nurse for over 10 years and worked at Royal Preston Hospital before joining the Practice. Julia has special interests' in Promoting Healthier Eating, Healthier Lifestyle and Weight Management. Julia sees Patients in Clinic for Chronic Diseases such as: Asthma and COPD and she also undertakes Cervical Screening. Julia's working days are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

  • RIZWANA GORJI

    Rizwana is our newest Practice Nurse at the surgery. Rizwana qualified in 2014 in Adult Nursing. She worked in Secondary care mainly in Haematology and Oncology before going to do agency work, which involved working in various different wards at both Royal Prestion Hospital and Royal Blackburn Hospital. Rizwana is currently learning to be able to see patients for Asthma, COPD, Diabetes and Hypertension reviews. She will also undertake training for Immunisations and Vaccinations as well as Cervical Screening. Rizwana works Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

  • UZMA IQBAL

    Uzma qualified as a Nurse in 2019. She has a background of Hospital Care especially Surgical Wards. Uzma sees patients for Childhood Vaccinations, Diabetes, Long Term Conditions and Smears. She is currently doing her Asthma Diploma. Uzma works Monday - Wednesday.

Healthcare Assistants

  • SHARON DAVIES

    Sharon has been with the Practice for over 16 years. She started off on Reception for 11 years then became a HCA in 2016. Her job consists of doing Blood Pressure Monitoring, Blood Tests, Hypertension and CHD reviews and Urine Testing. Patient care is her priority. Healthcare assistants support Practice Nurses with their daily work and carry out tasks. They may act as a Chaperone when a Patient or Doctor requests one. Sharon's working days are Monday-Friday.

Practice Management

  • FRANCES PROCTER

    Practice Manager

    Frances has worked in General Practice since 1999. She has previous experience of working in a Patient Facing Role as an Assistant Practitioner and has been a Practice Manager for Dr S Ahmed's Practice from 2015 and more recently Darwen Healthlink from 2016. Frances works alongside the GP Partners and oversees the day to day running of the Practice. The Practice Manager is involved in managing all of the Business Aspects of the Practice such as making sure that the Right Systems are in place to provide a High Quality of Patient Care, Human Resources, Finance, Patient Safety, Premises and Equipment and Information Technology. The Practice Manager supports the GP's and other Medical Professionals with Delivering Patient Services and also Helps to Develop Extended Services to Enhance Patient Care. Frances works Tuesday-Friday.

Practice Operations Administrator

  • TALITHA KILLALEA

Office Supervisor

  • KAREN DUDLEY

Administration

  • CHRISTINE STOCKLEY

  • BEN PROCTER

  • GEORGIA BANCROFT

  • NATASHA BOSTOCK

Senior Receptionists

  • ANTHONY ASHFAQ

    Senior Receptionist

  • ZOWIE WHITEHEAD

    Senior Receptionist

Reception

The Reception Team are the first point of contact for the Practice and can help you find out about the services we provide. They are trained in Care Navigation and can direct you to the most appropriate Clinician to meet your needs

  • JAMES KNELL

  • HARRY TURNBULL

  • WILLIAM ROLLO

  • SHARON SMITH

Prescriptions Team

  • TRACY KILBURN

    Senior Prescription Clerk

  • MELISSA BELLUSCI

  • REBECCA SMITH

  • JANET HUSSAIN

Patient Wellbeing Champion

The patient wellbeing champions role is to assist the practice in promoting, identifying and sign post patients to local wellbeing support offers

  • JANET BOWKER-BULL

Secretaries

  • JANET BOWKER-BULL

  • BECKY SEDDON

  • SAMANTHA HAWORTH

Community Midwives

The midwives are available to provide ante and post natal care.

Health Visitors

A health visitor is a registered nurse who has received training particularly related to babies, children and pregnant women. Their role is to provide families with children under five years old with support and advice around the general aspects of mental, physical and social wellbeing.
Page last reviewed: 08 April 2020
Page created: 08 April 2020