Dr Shepherd comes from this area having been born and educated in Lewes. After having obtained his medical qualifications at Guys Hospital in London in 1980, he came to Eastbourne to complete his training as a GP. He has been a partner in this practice since 1984 and senior partner since 2001.

His main medical interests include rheumatology and paediatrics. For the last year he has also been involved in the teaching of medical students from the new Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

Out of work he is married to wife Jan and has three sons and two step daughters. Jan has her own business as a greetings card designer and the children, rapidly growing up, are at advanced stages in their education.

His interests include all things sporting, travel, and he also holds a private pilots licence.

Dr Writer qualified from St Bartholomew's Hospital in London, in 1991. He completed his General Practice training in Somerset and worked in Australia, before coming to work in Eastbourne, at Park Practice, in 1997.

He is married with two boys, one dog, three guinea pigs, six fish (at the last count), and twenty-two chickens!

His interests include child health and psychiatry, as well as developing health services in the area, and work as a practice quality assessor.

His spare time is spent trying to train both dogs and children, as well as renovating an old house and garden.

Katya was born in Stuttgart, Germany, to a German father and an English mother. She qualified in Medicine in 1985 from the University of Munich, where any spare time was spent in the Alps skiing and hiking. After a year studying Music at the Academy of Music in Essen, Katya came to London as a Research Fellow at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children. Consequently she decided to make her future in Medicine in this country, and spent the next nine years in Paediatrics in a variety of hospital/community settings.

Married with two children, Katya completed her GP training in Eastbourne in August 2000, and joined Park Practice as a Partner in May 2001.

She enjoys playing the piano, looking after her garden and dog (Freddy), visits to family and friends abroad, and somehow survives the rigours of two children and two step children.

Dave Thomas trained at Southampton Medical School and Eastbourne District General Hospital, and joined Park Practice on completion of his GP Training in 2003. Married with three young children, Dave enjoys playing and watching most sports.

Jo was born and brought up in Warwickshire, and trained at Birmingham Medical School. She completed her GP Training in Coventry, subsequently moving to Salisbury, before coming to Eastbourne and joining a Hailsham GP Practice.

After 18 years in Hailsham, Jo resigned in 2000, in order to spend more time with her husband, Julian ( who runs a Tourism Business), and two sons, Daniel and Sam.

Jo joined Park Practice in September 2000, as a Associate Doctor, on a part time basis. This has enabled her to continue practising medicine, whilst pursuing other interests and hobbies. Amongst her hobbies, Jo lists music ( she belongs to a local choir), dogs ( 2 collies and a labrador), cooking and walking.

Dr Nicola Dorling has recently joined us. Nicola was born and brought up in Eastbourne. She graduated from Southampton Medical School in 2002, and qualified as a GP in 2007. Nicola joins us as Part Time Associate Doctor, currently working Monday & Thursday each week.

Nicola is married with a baby son. She enjoys walking, cooking and travelling.