Herefordshire Remote Health
Herefordshire Remote Health (HRH) provides additional capacity for practices to refer patients who decide their problem or issue can be managed remotely. It recognises that many patients value the convenience of a telephone consultation and that this can deliver high quality care when used well. Our aim is to support patients to choose their own practice team when this is important for their condition/situation and to choose additional services when it matters less. HRH provides the capacity to enable this to happen.
The HRH service comprises a team of GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Physician Associates (plus admin, operations and clinical leadership teams) who are highly skilled in their professional area and can support different practices at the same time.
Are you interested in joining our HRH team?
If you have great communication skills and enjoy providing care on the phone or over video to patients, we would love to hear from you.
As a member of the Herefordshire Remote Health (HRH) team you will have (or be provided with) a good knowledge of the Herefordshire health and care system and the nuances of our practices and networks and the opportunities and challenges of our county. You will provide telephone or video consultations on behalf of our surgeries – for patients who feel their issue can be managed remotely.
Herefordshire is a fantastic place to work – even if you don’t live here. We have simple pathways for patient care (with one mental health provider, one community services provider and one hospital) and a joined up electronic record. All surgeries and out of hours general practice, hospice and community services are on EMIS and the hospital system is visible on our shared care record.
To meet some of our team members, please explore the below links.
For further information, please Contact Us
GPs
- Dr Paula Adams
Paula has been a GP for a number of years, having worked as a GP partner and a locum. She has worked for Taurus Healthcare since it was first founded.Paula has a special interest in MSK and is the Clinical Lead for the HRH service.
- Dr Christina Arokiasamy
Christina has worked in General Practice since 2015, after moving to Hereford. She has also worked in A&E as a clinical fellow prior to working as a GP.She currently works for Taurus and enjoy being part of the team.
Christine has a special interest in acute medicine and care of the elderly.
- Dr Anuja Balakrishnan
Anuja graduated from Kasturba Medical College in India and completed her GP training in Worcestershire. She is passionate about preventative medicine and believes in using lifestyle measures to prevent illness.She has a special interest in female health and cardiology.
- Dr Kevin Benson
Kevin graduated from the University of Dundee during 2003. He is also registered with the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and registered with the Royal College of General Practitioners during 2014.He has a special interest in acute/unplanned care and palliative care.
- Dr Emily Crosse
Emily completed her GP training in South Worcestershire in 2014.She was featured on Channel 5's 'GPs Behind Closed Doors' during 2020 – her claim to fame!
As a GP, Emily has a particular interest in women’s health, especially menopause, and all issues to do with mental health.
- Dr Sally Fox
Sally trained in London in 1992 at the Royal Free Hospital and subsequently
obtained the MRCP qualification in 1996, MRCGP qualification in 2006 and the DRCOG in 2012. She is currently working in Farnborough where she has been both a Partner and a Salaried GP. She is now working as a Locum as she is hoping to move to Herefordshire within the next year. Sally really enjoys Elderly Care as it gives her the opportunity to provide holistic care and make a real difference to a person, not just from a medical perspective, but also considering the social and personal wishes of the individual.
- Dr Maame Hammond
Maame completed her medical degree at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Ghana during 2007. She completed her GP training with the Northwest Deanery during 2017 and in 2019 she completed a two year MSc in Clinical Dermatology with the University of South Wales.
Maame's special interest is in dermatology
- Dr Huma Khatoon
Huma graduated from King Edward Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan. She worked in renal medicine and acute medicine before joining general practice.Huma completed her training in general practice within Herefordshire and has a special interest is renal medicine and dialysis.
- Dr Lauren Parry
Lauren is passionate about the importance of General Practice for the health and resilience of the population, local communities and the wider NHS.As well as being a practising GP, Lauren is Medical Director at Taurus Healthcare, a role she has held since 2021.
Prior to joining Taurus, Lauren had been director of a GP Federation in London. Whilst in London, Lauren undertook a two year bespoke leadership training programme for GPs and practice managers. Using the expertise she gained, Lauren was instrumental in leading large scale change projects, representing General Practice in a system partnership with other health and care providers.
- Dr Loretta Shoderu
Loretta is a GP who currently works across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. She is a 'portfolio' GP, which means she has varied roles including working as a locum, GP in A&E, and GPwSI heart failure in hospital. Loretta also has a keen interest in promoting flexible-working within general practice and retaining the workforce.
Advanced Nurse Practitioners
- Anne Pengelly
Anne holds a DipHE Nursing Adult Diploma which she completed during August 2008.She has completed qualifications in cancer care; physical assessment and reasoning and non-medical prescribing.
She has a general interest in all conditions.
- Alex Perry
Alex qualified as an ANP whilst working at a local practice in Herefordshire. Since then she has worked as an ANP in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. She has an interest in women’s health.
Physician Associates
- Natalie Essien
Natalie holds a PGDIP in Physician Associate Studies and has experience of working alongside GP surgeries.Her special interests include diabetes.
- Sitara Khan
Sitara has been qualified for over six years as a Physician Associate, having
graduated from St George’s University.In the last three years, she has worked across general medicine, A&E, and general practice and has an interest in cardiology
Administration and
Operations Team
- Sally Cruise - HRH Administrator
Sally helps to prepare the clinician audits and carries out general tasks and answers enquiries, including registering patients to ensure clinicians have access to the patient records.Sally says: “I like the office and the relationships I’ve formed. I enjoy managing the requests promptly and liaising with the practices and working to a deadline.”
- Jenna Evans - HRH Administrator
Jenna answers general queries from clinicians and patients with regard to the HRH service. She helps to prepare the audits for new clinicians and liaises with Finance to ensure accurate invoicing for purchased slots.Jenna says: “I love my role within Taurus and supporting patients access healthcare. I have built strong relationships in the team I work in.”
- Leanna Jones - HRH Administrator and Business Support Officer
Leanna supports HRH clinicians with putting on appointment books ensuring the slots are proportionally distributed across all practices. She also answers general enquiries, undertakes various tasks and referrals throughout the day.Leanna says: “I enjoy doing a varied range of tasks and the people I work with."
- Jane O'Donoghue - Operations Manager
Jane has many years' experience in management and since leaving university has worked within the field of healthcare. She is service lead for the HRH Service and works alongside the team to deliver a high standard of remote healthcare.Jane says: “I am passionate about equality and access to healthcare for all.”