Meet the Team

My first degree was in chemical engineering. Following a short time in industry, I entered medical school and trained to be a General Practitioner gaining qualifications in paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology and anaesthetics. During over 40 years as a GP I gained a research degree in medical physics (MD) and developed interests in health economics, complexity theory and more latterly headache. For the last 25 years I have led the NHS Exeter Headache Clinic as a General Practitioner with an extended role in headache.

I have published widely in all the above areas, most recently the second edition of The Oxford University Press Manual of Headache.  A previous NICE Fellow, I have been closely involved with the British Association for the Study of Headache including the role of chairman, and with the Royal College of General Practitioners as headache champion. I enjoyed ten years as medical officer in the Royal Naval Reserve and a similar time as Medical Officer to Exeter’s professional football team as they languished in the lower divisions of the football league. I have a long association with Exeter Medical School where I am an academic tutor.

I am interested in more holistic approaches to headache that complement the medical model. More information on these approaches can be found on our website.

 I have been fortunate to meet many inspiring thinkers and teachers throughout my career, and count David amongst them. My path into headache medicine and general practice has been a serendipitous one. I worked in neurosurgery, ENT and ophthalmology before changing to general practice. Having seen many people with migraine in emergency departments struggling to access good care, and a gap in education in primary care, I became increasingly interested in how we could do better for people living with headache conditions. My approach to care has been shaped by a love of people’s stories and a simple, Socratic philosophy that we all have much to learn from each other. 

Over the past decade, I have developed extended roles in headache medicine and menopause care whilst maintaining my general practice work. I work as an Associate Specialist in Headache Medicine at Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital and Senior Clinician at the National Migraine Centre. I am Joint Honorary Secretary for the British Association for the Study of Headache (BASH) and work with Myla Health, providing menopause care. Much of my work focuses on the relationships between women’s health and migraine. Like David, I find myself increasingly drawn to approaches that complement traditional medical treatment, and I am a firm believer in the power of listening. 

I have worked as a Personal Assistant to Dr Walker for over two years, supporting her in the development and growth of the practice. During this time, we have worked collaboratively to establish a patient-centred service that integrates migraine care, menopause care and general practice. We have a strong focus on clinical excellence and continuity of care.

I am extremely proud of the loyal and valued patient community we have built and I am delighted to continue delivering the highest standard of support alongside David and Rebecca at Exeter Headache Care.

As the first point of contact by telephone or email, I provide administrative support, assist with treatment-related queries and ensure patients feel welcomed, informed and supported throughout their care journey.