Meet the team

Meet the TVW and KSS team members

Kent, Surrey and Sussex Team

Natalie king

Dr Natalie King MBBS BSc MSc FRCP

Regional Clincial Director

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Dr King is the Head of School for the KSS School of PAs and Clinical Lead and Consultant in Acute and Geriatric Medicine at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH).  Natalie has helped to train PA students since 2008 and has employed and been the PA tutor for PAs employed at SASH since 2012.  She is also the RCP Fellow representative who sits on the Faculty of Physician Associates board at the RCP London.
Joanne Piper

Joanne Piper BSc (Hons)

Programme Manager

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Jo joined the HEEKSS PA Programme in April 2015 following many years working in IT in the banking sector in various roles, more latterly project manager and customer relationship manager.
Natalie king

Samantha Hughes

Preceptorship Programme Director

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Sam is an experienced PA who qualified from St George’s University of London Physician Associate Programme in 2012. She trained as a Biomedical Scientist before undertaking her Physician Associate training and found the role fit perfectly with her desire to practice medicine while giving the opportunity to be a pioneer with a new profession in the UK.
Sam started working in Geriatric medicine at Epsom and St Helier Trust initially before moving to Geriatric medicine at East Surrey Hospital where she remained for 8 years. During this time Sam worked in a novel split role post between Geriatrics and Primary Care with a local PCN, before moving full time to Primary Care as a Lead PA in 2021 leading a growing team of PAs and helping progression of the Profession within a local Federation. She continues to develop in her special interest of Geriatric Medicine undertaking a Master’s Degree in Clinical Geriatrics. 
At the end of 2021 Sam was appointed as the Kent, Surrey and Sussex GP PA Preceptorship Programme Director with the Programme having great success since its inception, providing a diverse teaching curriculum alongside mentoring PAs new to Primary Care.
Sam has also sat on the PostGraduate Education Sub- Committee at the Faculty of Physician Associates for the last 5 years. 
Natalie king

Chandran Louis

PA Director

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Chandran graduated from St George’s University of London (SGUL) PA programme in 2014. Previously he worked in NHS management. Since qualifying, he has worked clinically in urology at St George’s University Hospital. In 2017, Chandran joined St George’s University of London physician associate (PA) faculty as a Lecturer and is the written chief examiner for the MPAS Physician associate course. Chandran completed his RCP leadership accreditation in 2021 and has previously held roles for Health Education England as a PA ambassador. In August 2022, Chandran was elected as the Vice President of the Faculty of Physican Associates at the Royal college of Physicians.
 
In November 2022, Chandran joined the South East School of Physician Associates (KSS region) as their PA director. Additional roles that Chandran holds include: sitting on the question writing board for the physician associate national exam (PANE) and being an external examiner for the PA programme at Swansea University.
Dr Amna Ghafoor KSS

Dr Amna Ghafoor

GP Clinical Advisor

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Amna trained at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and qualified as a GP in 2021.  She is currently a salaried GP at Greystone House Surgery in Redhill and has a portfolio career which involves being an Associate Tutor at BSMS, locum work and also the role with SESPA. She has a special interest in dermatology having recently completed a PGCert in Dermatology from the Charles Institute of Dermatology. 
“I strongly feel the best patient care is provided by a multidisciplinary team, both in Primary and Secondary Care. I have seen first-hand how brilliantly PAs contribute to the workforce and hope to support and advocate for them in my new role with SESPA”.

Thames Valley and Wessex Team

Natalie king

Tahir Akbar MRCP (Gastroenterology), MSc (Medical Leadership), MBBS

Regional Clinical Director

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Dr Akbar is a consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist, currently working at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation trust. He graduated in 2009 from St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London medical school and did his Gastroenterology training the in the Wessex region. He Is currently Clinical Director for medicine and is clinical lead for PAs.

In 2018, he was awarded young Gastroenterologist of the year: emerging leader by the British Society of Gastroenterology. He was awarded a Masters of Science in Medical leadership by the Royal College of Physicians.

He was appointed Physician Associate advocate for Wessex in 2020 and more recently was appointed as the Regional clinical director to the Southeast School of PA ( Thames Valley/Wessex facing).

Michelle Chapman

Laura Taylor

PA Director

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Laura Taylor is a Physician Associate (PA) with over 15 years of healthcare experience. 

Laura was part of the first cohort of PAs to graduate from the University of Reading in 2017.  Laura works in Rheumatology at the Royal Berkshire Foundation Trust (RBFT) and has been a key driving force for the introduction and development of the PA profession within the Trust. She worked with colleagues to launch a training programme for qualified PAs within the RBFT which is now a regional programme, has supported job planning and recruitment of almost 40 PAs and provided mentorship across the Trust and at the University of Reading. 

Laura was appointed as Health Education England (HEE) PA Ambassador in 2019 and PA Development Director in early 2021. She has worked closely with numerous employers to support recruitment and retention of PAs in the region. 

More recently she was appointed as PA Director covering the Thames Valley and Wessex (TVW) hub of the South East School of PAs (SESPA).  Laura is responsible for the overall success, vision, and leadership of the TVW geography and promotes leadership that is inclusive, inspires, motivates, and empowers staff. 

Emily Harrison

Emily Harrison BSc (Hons) PGDip PA-R

Programme Manager

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Emily is a Programme Manager for the Thames Valley and Wessex Hub at SESPA.   She is currently undertaking a BA (Hons) in Applied Management at Henley Business School.  Emily is also an experienced Physician Associate currently working part-time in the Ears, Nose and 

Throat Department at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.     

Joanne Piper

Zoë Mawle BSc (Hons)

Programme Manager

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Zoë is a Programme Manager for the Thames Valley and Wessex Hub at SESPA. She has worked in the NHS under Medicine managing rota for the past 5 years.  Zoë has a Marketing & Events background.

Andrew Kilby

Andrew Kilby BSc (Hons)

Administrator

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Andrew is the administrator for the Thames Valley and Wessex hub of the South East School Of Physician Associates. Andrew has 8 years experience working within the Patient Experience team at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading. Andrew joined the team in September 2022 and helps to assist the team and Physician Associates across the region covering a range of administrative and clerical tasks.

Joanne Piper

Dr Kate Avery

GP Clinical Advisor

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Kate is the TVW GP Clinical Advisor.  She is a GP in South Buckinghamshire working part time clinically.  She has a specialist interest in medical education and training the wider healthcare workforce.  Kate also works with the Primary Care School providing support on education in the workplace.

PA Ambassadors

Joanne Piper

Eleanor Harrison

Physician Associate Ambassador

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Eleanor Harrison is a qualified PA working in Cardiology at St. Marys Hospital Isle of Wight.
Ellie completed a PGDip in PA studies at the University of Surrey in 2020. Prior to this she completed a BSc in Biomedical Science from Cardiff University.
Ellie was one of the first PAs employed at St. Marys Hospital and the first in Cardiology and is passionate about advocating the role of PAs across all medical specialities and career development and progression for practicing PAs. Ellie has examined OSCEs at the University of Portsmouth as well as undertaking teaching at the university. She also has experience in supporting prospective students and first- and second-year students on placement at St. Marys Hospital involving timetabling and takes an active role in mentoring and teaching the PA students.
Ellie was appointed as a PA Ambassador in May 2022. She looks forward to working closely with the existing PA ambassadors within the Hampshire and Isle of Wight region to promote the PA role and help with recruiting and retaining Physician Associates.

Joanne Piper

Ffion Harrett

Physician Associate Ambassador

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Ffion is a Physician Associate at Hampshire Hospitals working in Cardiology as part of an Arrhythmia specialist team.
Ffion completed her PGDip in PA studies at the University of Surrey in 2020. Prior to this she studied for a BSc in Human Biology at Loughborough University. Ffion’s previous healthcare experience includes working as a medical laboratory assistant within Biochemistry and Haematology.
She has previously worked as a PA in General medicine and Stroke within the trust, Ffion has been heavily involved in promoting the PA role, with the aim of expanding the PA workforce. In addition, Ffion has arranged PA student placements as well as mentoring and organising teaching.
Ffion was appointed as an HEE SE PA Ambassador in August 2021. Over the next year she is looking forward to working with other Ambassador’s with the goal of further promoting the PA role and helping with recruiting and retaining PAs within the Hampshire and Isle of Wight region.
Joanne Piper

Francine Olivero

Physician Associate Ambassador

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Francine Olivero is an experienced PA currently working within the Endocrine & Diabetes team at the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Originally from Gibraltar, Francine moved to the UK to read Biomedical Sciences followed by completion of postgraduate study.

She has a keen interest in ensuring quality training of PAs, as well as educating others about the role. She is involved with student admissions, has organised several educational conferences for PAs in the region and has presented at regional & national events to promote the profession.

Together with a colleague she submitted a poster about Physician Associates working in innovative “Joint Working Roles” which was shortlisted and displayed at the RCGP Conference. Francine was appointed as a PA Ambassador in 2019 and hopes to build on all of her previous work to ensure PAs are a resounding success and a necessary part of the medical workforce for years to come.

Natalie king

Jess Plail

Physician Associate Ambassador

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Jessica is a qualified, experienced PA working at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells [MTW] in the Trauma and Orthopaedic Department.
Jess graduated as a PA from the University of Birmingham in 2017. Prior to this she worked for a number of years in the sport and health arena following her completion of her BSc in
Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Exeter. Jess was the first PA employed at MTW and has been passionate in promoting the role and integration of PAs within the Trust, where she has held the role of Lead PA for the last three years. Jess has instigated and helped develop a teaching programme for Trust PAs and has
been instrumental in setting up PA specific policies within Clinical Governance. She has also been involved with appraisals and recruitment of PAs. Jess was appointed as a PA Ambassador in August 2021 and has worked closely with her fellow
ambassadors to promote the PA role within the region and support the existing PA workforce.

Joanne Piper

Kirstie Douglas

Physician Associate Ambassador

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Kirstie is a qualified, experienced PA and has been working as a member of the profession for 4 years. She graduated from the PA Studies programme at St Georges, University of London in 2018.

Kirstie previously worked for University Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. She was the first PA employed by the Trust and has worked in both Neonatology and Paediatric Surgery. She was integral to changing attitudes and awareness of the role. She has also been teaching and guiding the PA students at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, is involved in the integration of new PA roles in different specialties and briefly worked as Lead PA in Brighton, developing policies and forums for PAs.

She was also previously employed to teach PA students at the University of Portsmouth. This allowed her to further advocate for the profession and inspire the next generation of PA colleagues.

Kirstie currently works clinically in primary care. She sees patients of all ages with a wide variety of conditions, both acute and chronic. She enjoys diagnosing and treating patients, and had many a conversation about the PA role with patients!

Kirstie has been a PA Ambassador since September 2021. This role allows her to continue advocating for PAs in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area. She hopes that with her input, the knowledge and awareness regarding PAs in both primary and secondary care will be increased. This will hopefully lead to PA progression and improved workforce transformation in the NHS.

Joanne Piper

Leisha Nair

Physician Associate Ambassador

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Lesha Nair is in her eighth year of being a Registered Physician Associate after gaining her BSc degree in BioMedical Science. Since her graduation from St George’s University of London in 2015, she has since been working at Farnham Road Medical Group. At the time of her graduation, Physician Associates were a rare breed. She strived to ambassador the role across her placements and was officially appointed as a Health Education England PA Ambassador in 2019 which now lies in the heart of the Thames Valley South East England School of Physician Associates and leads of the PA Preceptorships in Primary Care. Since she has strived to trailblaze locally and nationally and has been more recently known for her work as a GMC Medical Associate and Health Education England Primary Care Fellow. She aims to continue to build strong relationships in the primary care sphere and grow with her practice
Joanne Piper

Liz Goudie

Physician Associate Ambassador

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Liz Goudie is an experienced, qualified PA working in the Care of the Elderly department at East Surrey Hospital, part of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust where she has worked since 2018.
Formerly she worked for a pharmaceutical company as part of her undergraduate studies in Biology at The University of Bath where she developed a keen interest in medicine. She later volunteered in a care home where she enjoyed talking with older people and became inspired to pursue a career in healthcare.
Liz trained in PA studies at St George’s, University of London and after qualification, joined East Surrey Hospital in the Orthogeriatric team where she worked for over 3 years. For the past 6 months she has further developed within the care of the elderly speciality by working in the rapid access frailty clinic, The Pendleton Unit. Here she helps diagnose and manage medical conditions in older people referred via GPs or areas of secondary care for speciality advice. Key parts of her role include providing continuity of care for patients, families and staff in a busy hospital and facilitating the induction of new doctors settling into clinical teams. She has continued the development of a follow-up clinic for patients who have had a neck of femur fracture on behalf of the National Hip Fracture Database and she has been involved in several quality improvement projects. She has experience teaching and presenting at grand round, speciality meetings to doctors and other Physician Associates in the region.
Since starting as a PA ambassador for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight region in August 2021, Liz has facilitated discussions with employers in mental health, secondary care and cancer care providing information around the training, recruitment and development of PAs. She has helped develop job descriptions and job plans working with medical directors and clinical nurse specialists across the region. In addition she has hosted and coordinated several webinars to support newly qualified PAs, employers exploring PA deployment into specialty areas and has presented alongside other allied healthcare professionals about the value of multi-disciplinary teams.
Liz enjoys educating patients and employers about the role and value of PAs and is happy to be contacted to provide guidance to prospective or current PA students, working PAs and employers.

Joanne Piper

Rochelle Breen

Physician Associate Ambassador

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Rochelle Breen is a qualified, experienced Physician Associate currently working across Integrated Medicine at Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

She completed a PGDip in Physician Associate Studies at the University of Reading in 2019. Prior to this she gained a BSc in Biomedical Science at the University of Surrey. Her previous healthcare experience includes working as a Medical Laboratory Assistant for West Hertfordshire Hospital Trust.

Rochelle was one of the first Physician Associates employed at Buckinghamshire NHS Health Trust and the first in Integrated Medicine. Since commencing employment, Rochelle has completed rotations with Acute Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Rheumatology, Gastroenterology and Respiratory.

Rochelle was appointed Lead Physician Associate in January 2022. She is leading on expansion of the role across the trust, increasing awareness of the role, monthly teaching to promote CPD, and the mentoring and teaching of Physician Associate students.

Rochelle joined the Physician Associate Ambassador team in November 2020. She is looking forward to the opportunity to continue promoting the Physician Associate role and support recruitment across the Thames Valley region, to support HEIs and to work with them to arrange student events and create a SESPA Student Calendar.

Michelle Chapman

Sarah Vigor

Physician Associate Ambassador

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Sarah is a qualified, experienced PA currently working with the Kent and Medway ICB as their PA Lead.
Sarah graduated with the first cohort of PAs from St. George’s PA programme in 2010. Following qualification Sarah worked in Trauma and Orthopaedics at St. George’s hospital, where she led on enabling integration of the PA role into the trust, PA development and trust wide PA support and teaching. Sarah has also spent time at East Surrey Hospital working within Acute Medicine and was Lead PA for the Trust from 2018 – 2020, as well as PA Representative for the Society of Acute Medicine’s Council from 2017-2019.
Sarah moved into primary care as Lead PA for Tunbridge Wells Primary Care Network in 2020 where she developed the role and supported the local GP Federation with PA role creation. She now works two days/week for the Kent and Medway ICB as the PA Lead.
Sarah has been involved in various aspects of the PA profession including the UK Association of Physician Associates (UKAPA – the predecessor of the Faculty of PAs) as Director for Legislation and then Director of Communications. Sarah was also Secretary for the Managed Voluntary Register during her time on the UKAPA Board between 2010-2014. Sarah has examined OSCEs at several PA programmes and is also a PA National OSCE examiner. Sarah has been a PA Ambassador in KSS since 2019 and has used her in-depth experience and understanding of PAs to develop strategies around PA utilisation across the area, supporting students, working PAs and PA supervisors.

Joanne Piper

Zoe Neale

Physician Associate Ambassador

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Zoe is a Physician Associate working at East Sussex Health Trust in Acute Frailty and was one of the first cohort of PAs who qualified
from the University of Surrey in 2018. She chose to work in Acute Frailty as she enjoys the complexities of elderly care. She is now the Lead PA for the Trust.

Zoe started as a KSS PA Ambassador in January 2023 and wants to focus on secondary care roles, upskilling in mental health and preparation for practice.

Contact us

To contact a member of the KSS team, please email ks*************@nh*.net
To contact a member of the TVW team, please email se************@ro************.uk