Dr Aravinth Balachandran qualified as a doctor from University College London Medical School in 2002 and gained his GP accreditation in 2008 having spent time in various hospital medical roles. Dr Bala (as he is known) joined Oaklands Health Centre in 2014 as a Managing GP Partner. In addition to his role at Oaklands Health Centre, he is the Clinical Director for Folkestone, Hythe and Rural Primary Care Network for which he is accountable for the service delivery supporting seven GP practices within our locality. He is also Board Director for East Kent GP Confederation and a Peer Ambassador for Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board.
His clinical days at Oaklands are Monday evenings and Fridays with the other days of the week committed to his Director roles.
Dr Emma Harvey has worked for Oaklands Health Centre since 2015 as a Salaried GP. Dr Harvey works Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and joined the partnership at Oaklands in October 2022. Dr Harvey has an interest in women’s health. Dr Harvey has Prebookable appointments Wednesday, Thursday & Fridays.
Dr Lata Limbu
Gender: Female
Dr Limbu has Prebookable appointments Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday & Thursdays.
I am a General Practitioner with a strong interest in mental health, chronic pain management, and addiction medicine. My practice focuses on providing compassionate, holistic care that addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of health. I’m particularly passionate about supporting patients with complex, long-term conditions and helping them navigate the often-overlapping challenges of chronic illness, emotional wellbeing, and substance use, including prescribed pain medication. My approach emphasizes evidence-based treatment, continuity of care, and empowering patients to play an active role in their health journey. Dr Clarke has Prebookable appointments Monday,Tuesday & Thursdays.
Dr Banik is an experienced GP with special interests in Cardiology and Respiratory medicine. He is a member of the Primary Care Cardiology and Respiratory societies and has been a clinical advisor to both the East Kent NHS/HCP and the Kent/Medway ICB. He believes in a holistic approach to healthcare and practices mindfulness and Tai chi.
Dr James Boyle
Seasional GP
Dr Josie Field
Seasional GP
Nursing Staff
Nurse Practitioners
Claire Morgan
RGN
Claire has several years experience as a Nurse Practitioner and currently leads the nursing team at Oaklands Health Centre. Working with the GPs, she is able to see and assess patients as well as prescribed medication for certain conditions. She also supports the GPs for home visits.
Sue Mills
RGN
Sue is an experienced nurse practitioner and has had several years experience working at the minor injuries unit at Royal Victoria Hospital. She is able to see and assess patients with the support of the GPs and also able to prescribe medication for certain conditions.
Kate White
RGN
Assuntina (Tina) Heales
RGN
Tina has joined us from a district nursing background and supports the GPs seeing and treating minor illness conditions. She works closely with the nursing team and GPs and also supports the practice with home visits.
Paramedic Practitioner
Ben Wolstenhulme
Paramedic Practitioner
Ben grew up in Westgate and started working in the NHS in 2002 as a Health Care Assistant at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital. After graduating from Canterbury Christ Church University College with a BSc Honours Degree in Science he started in the Ambulance Service in 2003 and then completed his Paramedic Science Degree at St Georges Hospital in London in 2011.
After spending time in Operational, Clinical and Educational Management roles for the South East Coast Ambulance Service he took up a post as an Emergency Medical Practitioner in a local prison before working as a Quality Assurance Manager for Integrated Care 24 and a Disability Analyst for the Government.
Ben joined the Oaklands Team in 2020 and has been assisting the GP’s with the assessment and treatment of the Surgery’s housebound and nursing home patients for some considerable time. He has now moved on to triage patients contacting the Surgery and works in our Minor Illness Clinics each week.
Ben is now studying for his Advanced Clinical Practitioner role back at the Canterbury Christ Church University.
Tom Boreham
Paramedic Practitioner
Tom grew up in Hythe and first started working in healthcare when he joined the Ambulance Service in 2018. He has been a registered Paramedic for over 4 years, completing his BSc at Canterbury Christchurch University and joining the Special Operation Response Team, before moving into Clinical Management at NHS111. After developing interest in Frailty and Hospital Avoidance, Tom left the ambulance service and moved to Oaklands Health Centre in 2024, completing home visits and minor illness clinics on behalf of the surgery, with plans to start training into Advanced Clinical Practice in 2026. Tom is also a serving Officer within 256 City of London and South-East Multi-Role Medical Regiment, British Army Reserves, and is the surgery’s Armed Forces and Veteran’s Champion.
Nurses
Mrs Claire Hammett (f)
Practice Nurse
Claire specialises in the management and treatment of patients with COPD and can be seen for a pre-booked appointment on a Fridays and some Wednesdays.
Catherine joined the team in January 2024. She works at the surgery on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday during term time. As well as general nursing appointments, Catherine is available for diabetic reviews and can be seen in the travel clinic.
MsPhibi Maden (f)
Practice Nurse
Healthcare Assistants
Mrs Mechelle Jones (f)
Healthcare Assistant
More Information
Mechelle is an experienced HCA and can be seen for chronic disease pre-assessments (prior to an annual review), blood pressure monitoring, ECGs, ear syringing, dressings and health checks and her appointments are pre-bookable. She can be seen on Thursdays. Mechelle also runs our Dermascope clinic.
Mrs Jean Clatworthy (f)
Healthcare Assistant
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Mrs Nicky Sproston (f)
Healthcare Assistant
Ms Mary Hadley (f)
Healthcare Assistant
Practice Team
Miss Claire Hewson
Practice Manager
Mrs Penny Snow
Deputy Practice Manager
Secretaries
Joanne
Secretary
Marisa
Secretary
Our secretaries are responsible for arranging referrals under the direction of our GPs and also help collate medical reports.
