Our Doctors
Bishop’s Close Medical Practice provides Standard General Medical Services and holds a contract with NHS Northeast and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.
Dr Sarah Paul
MBBS | RCOG | MRCGP | Qualified 2001 India
Dr Paul joined the Practice 2 September 2011
Dr Sara Huntley
MBChB | DFFP | MRCGP(Distinction)
Dr Huntley qualified from Leeds Medical School in 2002. She worked in hospitals in Yorkshire and Peterborough including in Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Elderly Medicine. She completed GP training in 2006 and has worked as a salaried GP in the Durham area since 2007. She joined us as a salaried GP in May 2021 and become a GP partner from April 2022.
Salaried GPs
Dr Bejoy Madhavan
MBBS | DCH | MRCGP | Qualified Calcicut Medical College in India
Dr Madhavan qualified at the Calicut Medical College in India, and worked for a time in Paediatrics and A&E in South India. He has worked in hospitals in the UK since 2005, specialising in in Paediatrics and neonatal units. More recently he has worked as a salaried GP in Guisborough, Shildon and Bishop Auckland, before joining us in March 2016.
Dr Rut Espino
LMS | Qualified Oviedo
Dr Espino qualified in Spain and has worked in the UK since 2005. She has special interests in family planning and diabetes. Dr Espino joined the Practice in January 2017.
Dr Vicky Ip
BSc Neuroscience | MBChB | MRCGP
Dr Ip qualified from Leeds Medical School in 2016. She trained at Bishops Close Medical Practice as a GP Registrar, completing her training in October 2023. She has started working as a salaried GP from November 2023.
Dr Charles Limula
MBBS | MSc | MRCGP
Dr Limula qualified as a doctor in Malawi. He studied at Newcastle University for MSc in research and completed his GP training in 2025
GP Registrars
In February 2016 we became a Training Practice and now benefit from the services of a General Practice Registrar. Fully qualified doctors, Registrars join us for a six month period to gain experience in family practice. Dr. Paul is the appointed general practitioner trainer. Patient medical records are used to aid GP registrar training in accordance with practice guidelines.
As part of their training, registrars are required to video some consultations for assessment and you may be asked for permission to record your visit. You are under no obligation to do this and can decline without any effect on your care in any way.
From time to time, the Practice accommodates Medical Students in their training. Students from local universities may, with the patients consent, accompany our Clinicians during consultations or home visits