RefHelp Team
Becky Cheesbrough
Lead Referral Advisor
I did several years of surgical training in different parts of the UK, and abroad, before moving to Edinburgh to do my GP training. I worked as a locum throughout Lothian before becoming a salaried GP at a practice in Edinburgh for 7 years. I have always maintained an interest in surgery and currently work for the Minor Surgery Service at Leith Community Treatment Centre and within Chalmers Sexual Health Service. I’m also the Clinical Lead for the Flow Navigation Centre and work for the Scottish Ambulance Service as a GP Advisor within their clinical hub.
I have a strong interest in the interface between primary and secondary care, particularly in strengthening communication and fostering collaborative relationships across both systems. I am also committed to developing pathways that support clinicians and improve patient care. Since joining the RefHelp team in June 2021, my varied clinical roles have given me valuable insight and experience to support and advance this work.
I enjoy living in East Lothian and at the weekend you’ll usually find me down by the beach.
Catriona Morton
Referral Advisor
I have been a GP partner at Craigmillar Medical Group, Edinburgh, since 1996, and an NHS Lothian Referrals Advisor from 2018. I have a long-term interest in interface working and am on both the Lothian Interface Groups. I am the Referrals Advisor representative on the Primary Care Laboratory Interface Group (PLIG). I am also a member of the Lothian GP Sub-Committee and Local Medical Committee.
My clinical interests include health inequalities, Realistic Medicine, mental health (including drug and alcohol dependence), laboratory and testing services, and sexual and reproductive health. These are reflected in the areas I cover on RefHelp. I previously undertook 2 years of more detailed work with ENT and retain a special interest. I am hoping to learn more about ‘greener’, more sustainable health care, which links with realistic medicine too.
I enjoy cooking and eating with family and friends (probably a bit too much!) but also spend time off reading and walking. In normal times, travelling is something I love. Travelling is something I love. I am attempting to learn how to play the ukulele, and to grow some of my own fruit and veg, but not doing that well on either count.
Mohammed Alshaikly
Referral Advisor
I have been working as a GP in Edinburgh since 2013. I graduated from Baghdad University in 2000 and completed my early medical and surgical training in Iraq, working across a range of hospital settings including emergency medicine during the Gulf War period. This experience gave me a broad clinical foundation and shaped my adaptability and resilience in practice.
I completed GP training in the Borders and Lothian and have since worked across Lothian in a variety of roles, including locum GP work, LUCS, and salaried GP posts. I am currently based at Restalrig Park Medical Centre.
I have a special interest in musculoskeletal medicine and diabetes, and I am particularly interested in improving clinical pathways and strengthening communication between primary and secondary care. I am passionate about using system improvement and digital tools to support clinicians and enhance patient care.
Having worked across diverse clinical environments, I have developed a strong appreciation of the value of clear, accessible referral guidance. I have long regarded RefHelp as an essential resource for clinicians in Lothian and am pleased to be part of the team.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family and pursuing creative interests including digital modelling, sculpting, programming, and playing guitar.
Jane Burnett
Referral Advisor
I have worked as a GP in Edinburgh since 2005. I have been a GP Partner, locum GP and I am currently a salaried GP at Braefoot Medical Practice. I have a special interest in Medicine of the Elderly and Care Home Medicine, and I have spent time working with East Lothian Hospital at Home and Stepdown services as a Specialty Doctor. Throughout all my posts I have been interested in the interface between primary and secondary care, and how improved communication and supportive relationships at the interface are beneficial for both patients and clinicians. Throughout my practice I have found Refhelp to be an exceptional resource and have found it helps to promote communication at the interface. I was delighted to join the RefHelp team in December 2021.
I live in Edinburgh with my family and a tibetan terrier. Our house is filled with music, my children’s baking and sand from trips to the beach. Outside of work I like to make up stories, and am studying creative writing with the Open University to get better at this.
David. R. Millar
Referral Advisor
I qualified as a GP in 2011 and have been living and working in Edinburgh since 2013. I’ve worked in different health boards during my training and have also worked as a speciality doctor in two different hospices in the past. Ever since moving to Edinburgh I have admired the Refhelp website and seen it as an invaluable resource for my work as a GP. I’m proud to be part of this project and was given a warm welcome by the team in December 2023 when I started in the post. I’m also Partner at Riccarton General Practice.
When not working, you will find me chasing around after 3 small children, coaching the kids football teams and running up and down some of the local hills!
Aparna Amanna
RefHelp Project Officer
My role is to provide project support to the development of RefHelp and assist in the planning and delivery of referral management projects. I also provide administrative and technical support to the day to day maintenance of RefHelp site. I work with a wide range of colleagues from primary and secondary care and some of the main projects I am involved in include Evaluating the Impact of RefHelp, Organising Educational Events such as RefTalks & RefBites, Advertising, Accessibility, and Website Analytics.
Besides work, in my spare time I enjoy cooking, sketching and nature walks.
Maria Mazoy Saavedra
RefHelp Project Assistant
My main priority is to maintain the RefHelp page so that it is kept updated and working well. I also provide the RefHelp team with administrative and technical support.
I have an interest in accessibility and technology, and I enjoy supporting others. Just like the rest of the team, I am delighted to be a part of RefHelp.
When I am not working, I enjoy listening to traditional music from all over the world and reading.
