Clark Avenue Surgery was created in 1970, albeit the original building was much smaller and situated where our current staff car park is today. Although small, the original building did hold the distinction of being the first architect designed general practice building in Gwent. This building replaced the old and inadequate terraced house accommodation in Richmond Road.
We used to have a branch surgery in Griffithstown.
In the mid-eighties the council sold the land which the surgery currently sits on (the site of a former fire station) to the Partners at the time Dr Peter Law, Dr Barbara Thomas and Dr John King.
Once the ‘new’ surgery was built, the Griffithstown branch site was closed.
In 1988, a fresh faced sixteen year old boy, spent his work experience placement with Dr King. The two remained in touch, while the sixteen year old went on to medical school and finally completed his GP training. In 2001, perhaps no longer as fresh faced, Dr Gareth Oelmann joined the practice as a Partner when Dr Law retired.
In 2003, in preparation for Dr Thomas’s retirement, Dr Bryan Hughes was employed as a salaried GP. Both Dr Oelmann and Dr Hughes were at medical school together and were members of the Cardiff Meds RFC.
Over time both Dr Oelmann and Dr Hughes have developed a portfolio of additional roles and interests. Dr Oelmann is involved with the Gwent Local Medical Committee (LMC). Gwent LMC provides representation, guidance and support to GPs and practices in the Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen areas. Dr Oelmann is also involved with the General Practitioners Committee Wales. GPC Wales is a standing committee of the BMA and represents all general practitioners working in Wales. Its remit is to consider and act in matters affecting those engaged in general practice in Wales, including contractual matters. Dr Hughes is a respected educator and has an Honorary Lecturer post at Cardiff Medical School. Dr Hughes can be found at Cardiff Medical School every Thursday during term time educating young minds and hopefully inspiring them to become medics in the future.
Clark Avenue Surgery is a training practice which affords us the privilege of spending time with medical students at differing stages of the medical school experience. We also have the opportunity to support doctors as they enter the final stages of their GP training. As GP registrars, they have an opportunity to further develop their consultation skills, whilst gaining an insight into life as a GP. Dr Hughes, Dr Oelmann and Dr Whyte are the GP trainers. Dr Hughes is also a CSA examiner for the RCGP.
Having trained and worked as a GP in Bristol, Dr Rhian Loudon opted for a change in career and spent time as a clinical researcher in Birmingham. In 2007, Dr Loudon joined us as GP on a returner scheme and on completion stayed with us in a salaried capacity.
Dr Alison Whyte and Dr Michael Carnell, both joined the surgery on placement as GP registrars. Upon completion of training, Dr Whyte joined the surgery in August 2013 as a salaried GP. Dr Whyte has an interest in Women’s Health and is the surgeries Child Protection Lead. Upon completion of training, Dr Carnell took up a salaried position in Pontypool for twelve months, before returning to Clark Avenue as a salaried GP in late 2017. Dr Carnell is our Palliative Care Lead.
Dr King retired at the end of August 2018 after spending 35 years at the surgery. In retirement, Dr King remains a close friend to the surgery.
Dr Whyte joined Dr’s Oelmann and Hughes in Partnership in September 2018. Dr Carnell became a Partner in January 2019.
We are also delighted that Dr Glesni Jones, also a former GP registrar at the practice, has joined the team in August 2019 as a salaried GP.
Our nurse team is led by Sister Penny Ridout, who joined the surgery in 1997. Penny is joined by Practice Nurse Lorna Boswell and two Healthcare Assistants Katie and Helen.
In Reception, you will find a team of six who provide cover across the week. Our team consists of Christine, Claire, Dee, Julie, Sue and Tracey. Our Reception team are very experienced and act as our first point of contact for our patients.
Our Administration team, consists of Nicola, Pamela and Sara and between them they provide repeat prescribing administration, patient registration support, manage incoming report requests and medical secretary work and much more.
David Fulker was appointed as Practice Manager in April 2016. David overseas the running of the surgery and reports directly to the Partners.
Through strong leadership and a dedicated team of staff, Clark Avenue Surgery stands ready to meet the needs of our patient population.