LOUISE STUART MBE, MSc, FCPM, NMP
Senior Partner/ Musculoskeletal Specialist/Podiatrist
Thirty seven years in podiatry, Louise Stuart remains a passionate advocate of the profession. Prior to becoming CEO of Gold Standard Foot & Leg Clinics Louise was a diabetes specialist podiatrist at consultant level within the NHS. Louise was recognised for her contribution to the profession in 2008 when she was honoured to receive an MBE from the Queen.
Since 2013 Louise and the team have developed significant expertise in musculoskeletal medicine. Louise is a qualified Fascial Manipulation Therapist (Stecco method). She is also an experienced practitioner using Shockwave Therapy, High Intensity Laser Therapy as well as focussed electromagnetic treatments. Louise states that our team aim to provide non-invasive management of all forms of lower limb pain regardless of age. We aim to bring Harley Street treatments across Lancashire.
GAVIN SKEHAN BSc(Hons)
Associate Partner
Gavin Skehan is Associate Partner at Gold Standard & Leg Clinics. He is an experienced podiatrist having previously worked in the NHS for 5 years and privately for over 20 years.
Gavin is now an extended scope practitioner in Stecco Method Fascial Manipulation and Shockwave Therapy.
He has worked extensively with adults who have learning disabilities for over 20 years providing podiatry care.
Whilst working for the NHS Gavin was actively involved with diabetes teams providing specialist foot care. He also has provided valuable input to diabetes research projects at North Manchester Hospital and Chorley Hospital.
In addition to the above Gavin’s skills range from providing nail surgery, assessment and diagnosis of complex foot problems to biomechanical assessments.
NEIL WILLIAMSON BSc (Hons)
Associate Podiatrist
Neil joined Gold Standard after attaining a First Class Honours (BSc) in Podiatry at the University of Salford. As a cyclist, runner, and hiker, Neil is aware of how important your feet and legs are for movement: he’s keen to work with you on your foot and leg health issues to keep you moving too.
If he’s not out and about with his active hobbies, he might be found giving back to the community; supporting St Ann’s Hospice or the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. This support has involved Neil personally raising over £9,000 for local charities after riding 2000 miles across Europe in 20 days
JAKE YATES BSc (Hons)
Associate Podiatrist
Jake started his working career in the military serving with the Royal Military Police. Having spent time in Cyprus and Northern Ireland Jake specialised in weapons intelligence and served in Helmand Province Afghanistan imbedded within an EOD team. After Leaving the Army Jake studied Podiatric medicine at Salford university achieving a first-class honours. Having also completed courses in personal training alongside anatomy and physiology Jake has a keen interest in how and why the body moves and how to achieve pain free function.
Jake has over 4 years’ experience of working within the NHS and has a keen interest and experience in nail surgery. Jake also completed further training in Fascial Manipulation, Shockwave Therapy and Focused Electromagnetic Therapy in order to give his patients the best outcome measures for pain relief.
In his spare time Jake likes to spend time with family and play football in his home town of Morecambe.
KELLY AMPHLETT BSc
Associate Podiatrist
Kelly Amphlett graduated from Huddersfield university in 1999. She started work for the NHS and has 23 years of experience.
Kelly still practices within the NHS today, as an advanced specialist podiatrist, within the high risk and diabetic foot. Kelly is currently a team leader within the NHS and manages a team of 21 podiatrists; she offers support and mentoring to all staff. Kelly is extremely organised and efficient within all podiatry settings.
SHELLEY KENNEDY BSc (Hons)
Practice Manager
Shelley is our Practice Manager and Secretary. Shelley brings with her a professional background as an experienced medico legal secretary. She is your first point of contact, always willing to make time for others, efficient and personable. Shelley has an excellent rapport with our clientele and ensures the clinics run smoothly.
ALISON DEWHURST DPodM, BSc, MChS
Associate Podiatrist
Alison is an experienced podiatrist with over 30 years experience in the NHS. During this time she has developed skills in high risk foot care, health education, biomechanics and nail surgery.
Alison has been involved in the National Diabetic Foot Audit of the high risk diabetic foot, in order to improve patient outcomes and has led the diabetic team in Bedford delivering care in both a hospital and community setting.
Alison is friendly and personable and aims to provide effective care putting clients at the centre of care.
MOUSHUMI MIAH BSc (Hons)
Associate Podiatrist
Moushumi has been working as a podiatrist for over 6 years graduating from the University of Salford with a first-class honours. During this time she has worked in both the private setting and the NHS as a specialist podiatrist in diabetic wound care within the hospital and community clinics. Moushumi has a particular interest in managing and educating patients with renal failure and high risk diabetic foot care and also enjoys working collaboratively with various health care professionals in the management of vulnerable adults and elderly withing the nursing some setting. Moushumi has a great deal of experience and understanding working with patients with dementia and Alzheimers and enjoys providing a holistic approach towards their care, considering individual needs accordingly.
KATH PARNELL BSc (Hons)
Associate Podiatrist
Graduated in 2007 from Salford University, with a first class degree. Kath worked at the university until July 2023 as a clinical tutor, training podiatrist of the future, to carry out nail surgery, verruca needling, clearanail as well as routine and biomechanical assessments/treatments. Kath has worked with a multidisciplinary team providing medical care for high risk diabetic patients and the homeless population of Manchester.
ISOBEL SKEHAN
Part-Time Receptionist
Isobel is a part of the admin team at Gold Standard Foot and Leg Clinic. She is starting her A levels in September 2022 studying Maths, Physics and History. Isobel has a passion for ensuring patients needs are met and working with the rest of the Gold Standard team to ensure all patients receive the best outcome. Isobel really enjoys speaking with patients and finding out more about them.
DEBORAH RUFF
Vascular Nurse Specialist
Debbie Ruff is a lead nurse for vascular services in North Manchester, with a Masters degree in nursing and specialist qualifications in vascular nursing and leg ulcer management. She has 30 years experience within the NHS of with the last 25 years have been exclusively in the specialist treatment of complex wounds in the lower limb and foot. She specialises in the management of both venous and arterial disease undertaking lower limb arterial assessment and compression therapies.
Debbie has extended her scope of practice to include lower limb muscular skeletal problems and has extended her skills to include Shockwave Therapy and Focussed Electromagnetic Therapy.
Debbie lectures at the University of Salford and at National conferences on vascular /diabetes related complications.
TOM SANDY (BSc Hons)
Associate Podiatrist
Tom joined Gold Standard Foot & Leg Clinic after achieving a first-class honours degree in Podiatry from the University of Salford.
Tom previously undertook a degree in biology from Sheffield Hallam University giving him a strong baseline knowledge of pathologies, while studying podiatry Tom managed a small team in the co-op giving him great experience working with the general public.
Tom is very into Personal fitness and is keen to utilise podiatric strategies to help aid in sporting and musculoskeletal injuries. Tom is very friendly and approachable and always puts the patient first when providing care.
SARAH JACOBSON BSc (Hons)
Associate Podiatrist
Sarah joined the team at Gold Standard Foot & Leg Clinic as an Associate Podiatrist working at the Prestwich Foot Clinic. Sarah is an experienced podiatrist qualifying 17 years ago. Sarah specialises in the treatment of the elderly and of young children.
Sarah is no stranger to Gold Standard Foot & Leg Clinic as our Managing Director, Louise Stuart, was her lecturer as a student podiatrist. Sarah is a local Prestwich girl with a passion for podiatry.
Tom Casey BSc Hons
Tom has completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Sports Therapy in 2020 at the University of Central Lancashire. During his time at university he was able to accumulate a vast range of experience from sports therapy settings, including; working alongside physiotherapists at Blackpool Football Club, Wigan Warriors, Sale sharks. His degree work was recognised by the University of Central Lancashire as Tom received a course prize for his outstanding work. Tom has worked as a clinician for over 18 months and developed skills and tools to identify, diagnose and treat injuries, demonstrate and plan rehabilitation programmes and perform manual therapy techniques such as joint mobilisations and soft tissue release to help get the best results for clients. Tom not only treats sports clientele but treats everyone from adolescents to the elderly with a varied range of conditions.
Tom is really easy going, and instantly likable. He has a passion for football and maintaining a healthy active lifestyle attending the gym on a regular basis.
JACKIE BOLAM BSc (Hons)
Associate Podiatrist
Jacky qualified from Salford in 1986 and has worked for the NHS since then. Jacky is an advanced specialist podiatrist working with diabetic and High risk patients in varied settings home homes clinics and hospital. Jacky believe in a holistic approach to treating patients so they achieve the best outcome for their particular need. Out of hours she will be found either walking dogs or riding horses
MEGAN LAWRENCE
Part-Time Receptionist
Megan is part of the admin team at Gold Standard Foot and Leg Clinic. She is a second year medical student, studying to be a doctor. Megan is extremely happy to chat and help out where she can, and loves making the clinic a comfortable and professional environment for patients. She also enjoys occasionally shadowing the podiatrists when it is relevant to her studies.
Yescica Livesey MRCPod
Yescica Livesey MRCPod
Yescica started her career as a principal Dancer of the world famous Danza Libre dance company, Yescica performed at prestigious venues such as The Royal Opera House London and the National Theatre in Cuba.
At the turn of the century Yescica moved to England where she studied Podiatric Medicine, graduating from Salford University in 2008. As you would expect, Yescica’s understanding of balance and the importance of feet and lower limbs in unequalled following her glittering international career in dance and choreography.
While working for the NHS Yescica has gained 10 years of extensive experience in wound care, dermatology, diabetes, rheumatology, paediatrics, biomechanics, vascular and musculoskeletal foot conditions
In 2017 Yescica took a keen interest in musculoskeletal medicine and qualified as a Sports Therapist in 2019. This enables Yescica to treat and rehabilitate lower and upper limb muscle skeletal conditions.
Yescica established herself in the private sector in 2017 and is qualified in joint manipulation and mobilisation techniques. Yescica is also an experienced practitioner using Radial and Focused Shockwave Therapy, Laser Therapy and Focused Electromagnetic Therapy priding herself on giving patients the highest standards of care and treatment available.
