Emmerdale’s Doctor Surgery: A Haven of Doom
When you think of a GP surgery, you probably imagine a calm, professional environment where residents get proper medical care. Emmerdale fans, however, know that Brooke Cottage Surgery is anything but ordinary. Over the years, almost every staff member has been involved in shocking wrongdoing—making the surgery more like a haven of danger than a place of healing.
Currently, receptionist Claudette Anderson (Flo Wilson) seems to be the only staff member keeping a clean slate—but history tells us that’s rare. Let’s take a look back at some of the most notorious figures to walk the surgery’s halls.
Jermaine Bailey
Doctor Jermaine Bailey (Micha Balfour) proved that even the medical professionals aren’t above scandal. He lost his job after an affair with Belle Dingle (Eden Taylor-Draper), who was just 17 at the time. A career-ending blunder, and one of the earliest examples of the surgery’s dark legacy.
Emma Barton
Introduced as a nurse, Emma Barton (Gillian Kearney) quickly showed she was anything but kind-hearted. Her actions led to multiple disasters, including the Hotten Bypass crash, the death of her son Finn, and the murder of James Barton. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg—her tenure at the surgery was marred by tragedy.
Wendy Posner
Wendy Posner (Susan Cookson) spent years working at the surgery before her dark secret came out: she wasn’t even a qualified nurse. For years, patients trusted her with their care, unaware of the deception lurking behind her professional facade.
Meena Jutla
Meena Jutla (Paige Sandhu) is arguably the most infamous of all. Starting her Emmerdale journey as a seemingly normal nurse, she quickly revealed herself as a soap villain. Her crimes include murder, kidnapping, torture, and false imprisonment—leaving the village in fear of the woman who once dispensed care at the surgery.
Ella Forster
When Ella Forster (Paula Lane) arrived, she seemed harmless, but viewers soon learned her dark secret: she had killed her best friend as a child. Her past added another chilling chapter to the surgery’s reputation.
Manpreet Sharma
Even well-intentioned staff like Manpreet Sharma have been drawn into questionable territory. Earlier this year, she was blackmailed by Joe Tate (Ned Porteous) and manipulated into unethically sourcing blood from Caleb Miligan (William Ash) for his illegal kidney transplant scheme. Though coerced, her involvement highlights the moral compromises that often happen behind the surgery doors.
Liam Cavanagh
Liam Cavanagh hasn’t committed outright crimes, but he has a history of keeping dangerous secrets, including covering for Wendy’s deception and remaining silent about Manpreet’s risky actions. Add in his steamy office affair with Wendy, and you’ve got another morally compromised employee.
John Sugden: The Surgery’s Latest Criminal
The most recent addition to this rogue’s gallery is John Sugden (Oliver Farnworth). His actions have endangered countless villagers:
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Responsible for Nate Robinson’s death
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Caused Jacob Gallagher to have a severe allergic reaction
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Drugged Chas and Aaron Dingle
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Attacked residents including Liam and Robert Sugden
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Held Mackenzie Boyd hostage
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Tampered with the slurry tank at Butlers Farm, sending his nephew to hospital
John operates with a “hero complex,” orchestrating disasters he can later claim credit for, all while feeding his need for validation. His obsession with proving himself, dating back to comparisons with his long-lost brother Robert, has turned the surgery into the epicentre of chaos.
A Legacy of Mayhem
From unqualified nurses and murderous villains to blackmailed staff and secret affairs, Brooke Cottage Surgery has a long history of misconduct. John Sugden’s recent rampage is just the latest chapter in its legacy, proving that in Emmerdale, even the place meant for healing can be a hotbed of danger.