Meet the Team
Doctors
Dr Teresa McDonnell
GP Partner (f)
Teresa qualified in Dublin in 1983 where she did most of her postgraduate hospital training. She arrived in Telford in 1989 via North Shields and Stockport and joined Church Close Surgery in Oct 1994. She sits on the Shropshire Local Medical Committee.
Dr Navjot Kaur
GP (f)
Dr Kaur originally joined us as a locum, but later took on a salaried position with us in March 2025.
Dr Ciju Thomas
GP Partner (f)
Dr Thomas joined us as a salaried GP in November 2015 and become a practice partner in 2023.
Dr Christopher Godden
GP (m)
Dr Godden joined us in January 2026. He brings a wealth of knowledge from his experience as an Anesthetic Registrar at PRH, and also worked as a firefighter for Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service.
Dr Chahra Abbassi
GP Partner (f)
Dr Abbassi joined us initially as a locum doctor in 2019, but joined us on a salaried position in January 2020. She became a practice partner in 2023.
Nursing team
Jess Carpenter
Advanced Care Practitioner (f)
Jess joined us originally as a student nurse in February 2018. We employed her on a full time basis in September 2018 and Jess is now experienced in a range of treatment room duties and triage. She recently qualified as an Advanced Care Practitioner.
Lisa Taylor
Healthcare Assistant (f)
Lisa has recently taken on a new role and is continuing to expand her clinical skill set. She carries out NHS Health Checks, blood pressure checks and blood tests, as well as a range of vaccinations.
Georgie Eccleston
Practice Nurse (f)
Georgie joined us in September 2020. Georgie undertakes childhood immunisations, asthma checks, cervical smear examinations, as well as other treatment room duties and triage. She is also our cancer care nurse.
Kim Evans
Nursing Associate (f)
Kim joined us in 2024 as a Nursing Associate and has since expanded her skill set. Alongside treatment room duties, she also carries out childhood vaccinations and cervical smear tests.
Nesa Hurdley
Healthcare Assistant (f)
Nesa has undergone further training to undertake additional duties, including NHS Health Checks, ECGs, dressings, blood pressure checks, blood tests and spirometry checks.
Phil Henshaw
Nursing Associate (m)
Phil joined the team in 2025 on a full time basis after previously working one a day a week at Court Street as part of his role in the PCN. He carries out NHS Health Checks, blood pressure checks, blood tests and vaccinations.
Secretarial Team
Julie Johnston
Medical Secretary (f)
Julie joined us as Medical Secretary in August 2017 and brought a wealth of knowledge from her 18 years’ experience at Princess Royal Hospital (Orthopaedic department). She has an AMSPAR diploma in Medical Secretarial Services. She also trains new members of team in secretarial duties.
Nichola Johnston
Secretary & Facilities Coordinator (f)
Nic joined us as a full time receptionist in November 2021. In late 2025, Nic took on a new role at the surgery as a Secretary and Facilities Coordinator. As well as processing referrals, she also summarises and digitizes new patient records and oversees the Health & Safety of the building.
Reception Team
Our reception staff have training in signposting, meaning they are trained to direct you to the most appropriate clinician or service. They process prescriptions, register new patients, organise and distribute the practice post, answer queries and book appointments, as well as a range of other duties.
Katie Wale (f) (Supervisor)
Lynn Spice (f)
Keiley Witcombe (f)
Tasmin Pledger (f)
Lisa Gestal-Patino (f)
Katie Richards (f)
Mariah Williams (f)
Management team
Clive Elliott
Business Partner (m)
Clive Elliott joined the practice in April 2015 after many years in business. He project managed our new building in Court Street and now oversees practice development and finances.
Alex Richards
Assistant Manager (m)
Alex joined us in 2017 having graduated with a degree in English from the University of Birmingham. He manages clinics, books locums, oversees clinical coding, ensures our IT is working correctly, oversees HR as well as offering day-to-day support to the Practice Manager.
Maria Humphries
Practice Manager (f)
Maria joined us in Summer 2015 from Woodside Medical Practice where she gained a wealth of experience. Maria oversees the long term organisation of the practice and works with the Business Partner to ensure the smooth running of finance.