The Clinic:

The Exeter Headache Clinic is operated by St Thomas Medical Group, an NHS General Practice.  It has been in operation since 2002.

Clinic personnel:

Dr David Kernick is a GP with a special interest in headache.  He has a research interest in the area and has written a number of publications, including the Oxford University Press Manual of Headache.  He was the Royal College of General Practitioners Headache Champion and previous Chair of the British Association for the Study of Headache, and currently leads the Association’s Headache Specialist General Practitioner Group.

Dr Peter Miller is a GP with a special interest in headache and has an interest in homeopathy.  He is a member and former council member of the British Association for the Study of Headache.

Mrs Sam Hotton  is the Clinic Manager.

Clinics

Clinics are held at St Thomas Health Centre, and occasionally at Exwick Health Centre.

Referral criteria

We have a contract to take referrals from practices within the Devon CCG area for adults over the age of 18.  This should be done through the e-Referral Service – specify Neurology and choose Headache Clinic (Dr David Kernick).   Unfortunately we are unable to take referrals from outside Devon, due to pressures on the Clinic, and are unable to take private referrals.   Our current waiting list is around 3 to 4 months.

We are not set up to deal with urgent referrals, but are happy to discuss cases in adults or children with GPs; either by email: sam.hotton@nhs.net, or telephone: 01392 676679.

Educational Role

We undertake undergraduate and postgraduate education.  One of our primary aims is to improve the management of headache in primary care.  We welcome healthcare professionals who may wish to join us for a headache clinic and are always happy to talk to GPs’ surgery meetings.  Contact Sam Hotton as above.