The Team

Professor John Axford is a Consultant in Adult and Paediatric Rheumatology and Emeritus Professor of Clinical Rheumatology at St George's, University of London. He specialises in all aspects of musculoskeletal disease in adults and children ranging from joint and back pain to autoimmune inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Dr Syed Babar is a Consultant Radiologist at the Hammersmith, Charing Cross and St Mary’s Hospitals (Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust) and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London. Dr Babar has expertise in musculoskeletal MRI, CT and various ultrasound and CT guided injection techniques, and has links with many cricket, tennis, football and rugby clubs. He is also the imaging consultant for Isokinetic, the only sports medicine and orthopaedic rehabilitation centre recognised by FIFA in London.

Deborah Earl qualified from Brunel University in 2001 before taking up a post at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital where she specialised in treating musculoskeletal disorders. She remained there until 2009 and then made the move to the private sector and Parkside Hospital.

Debbie has since completed an Msc in Sports and Exercise Rehabilitation and is particularly interested in exercise based therapy and keeping people active whatever their age or ability. Her specialist area is lower limb injuries. Debbie loves watching and taking part in anything to do with sport and exercise. She has completed two marathons and cycles to and from work every day, whatever the weather! Debbie is very passionate about her role at Parkside Hospital and says that the best part of her job is seeing patients meet their goals and knowing that she had a part to play in this.

Lynda Mallinson, BSC Dietetics, PG Dip Diet, IFMCP

Lynda has worked with the London Rheumatology Clinic since 2012 as part of an integrated approach to patient care. Lynda uses her wide breadth of experience in dietetics and functional medicine to treat patients with a wide range of conditions including (but not exclusive to) hyperuricemia (gout), rheumatoid, osteoporosis, osteoarthritic, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

Lynda practices functional medicine which is a new scientific model of care, specifically suited to the management of chronic disease. It addresses the root causes which derive from lifestyle choices, environmental exposures, and genetic influences. It works on the premise that a whole host of chronic disease can stem from one imbalance in the body. When the root cause of chronic disease is treated, the symptoms will be alleviated, enabling positive patient outcomes and better ‘wellness’ for those who engage with their plan.

Sophie Roberts (nee Cox) qualified with a BSc (Hons) in 1998 from the University of Brighton as a podiatrist and completed her MSc in 2009. (After qualifying, Sophie worked in Canada at the University of British Columbia Sports Medicine Clinic for four years where her exposure to biomechanics gained her valuable experience.) Sophie is dedicated to her clinical work and has a wealth of experience in the podiatric management of biomechanical, rheumatological and neurological foot disorders. She lectures regularly in podiatric biomechanics, gait analysis and orthotic management, and has a special interest in hypermobility.

Matthew Flaherty provides the liaison between the patient and the insurance provider. She makes sure that everything runs smoothly and provides solutions when they are required.