Our Staff
Nurse Betty
My name is Betty Thomas, I have recently moved to Christchurch from Rural Practice- Primary Care nursing on the West Coast. I have been nursing for 25 years with a special interest in Oncology and Paliative care Nursing, family nursing, and preventitive health education. I enjoy working in a dynamic Practice team and developing relationships with individuals and families. If you see me darting about at work with a big smile you will know it is Betty - make sure you say a big hello.
I have three daughters and a large extended family in Christchurch where I belong. keeping fit and healthy are big priorities in my family's life. My professional goal is to develop new skills at MEDIQUAL™ in order to be the best that I can be and help you to be the best that you can be.
Nurse Jane
Hi, I am the Ex Pat nurse who comes from Manchester in England.
My name is Jane and I emigrated here with my husband and son in early 2003. Like most Brits we choose New Zealand for a safer environment to raise our son and the warmer, brighter weather (we are from the north of England after all!!) I am enjoying living and working in New Zealand and now consider Christchurch home.
I graduated as a Registered Nurse in the UK in 1986 and worked as a staff nurse on an acute medical ward. I then went on to specialise as a Midwife graduating in 1989. I have 15 years Midwifery experience working in the delivery of all aspects of midwifery care from early pregnancy through to postnatal care.
Since arriving in NZ I have returned to Nursing, working in Primary Care as a Practice Nurse. Prior to working at Mediqual Doctors I have worked in a busy accident and medical center and a central city General Practice. I have found Practice Nursing extremely rewarding and challenging and although not practicing as a Midwife here in New Zealand, I am able to utilize my midwifery knowledge, skills and experience in a supportive role to the other team members and patients.
One of my main interests is in womens health and screening and I would be happy to advise on any issues you may wish to discuss. A few of my skills and interests include: pre-conceptual advice, registered smear taker, sexual health advice and screening, working with your GP to provide antenatal care, authorized vaccinator, liquid nitrogen application, suturing and wound care management.
MEDIQUAL™ Doctors is a busy vibrant practice with a good team working environment. We all receive and give each other support to enable us to provide the highest standards of care to our patients. I am a happy person with a good sense of humour, always have a smile on my face to welcome you to MEDIQUAL™ Doctors.
Nurse Margaret
Hello, my name is Margaret.
I trained at Auckland School of Nursing with my base hospital being Middlemore. I have practiced in various departments of the Public Hospital system within New Zealand and spent 5 years in Nursing Management. From there I specialised in Radiology as a C.R.I.S.P Nurse. What is a C.R.I.S.P Nurse you ask? Well, it stands for Cardiology, Radiology, Investigative Special Procedures.
Let me tell you how I became a Practice Nurse.
After spending 5 years in Radiology, I decided that I would retire from nursing and spend time at home enjoying my home and garden. I did this for 3 years feeling very pleased with myself and enjoying my lifestyle, until one morning the phone rang while I was reading my gardening magazine having a 'cuppa' and overlooking my lovely garden. "Did you want to be a Practice Nurse, it will only be a few hours a week" the caller said. "NO!" I replied "I'm enjoying my life as it is." But after some consideration, I thought wait a minute, maybe a few hours would not disturb my lovely lifestyle too much.
That was 6 years ago and from starting off at a "few hours" per week to full time for a few years, and now back to part-time, my Practice Nursing career took full flight. I only wish I had experienced Practice Nursing much earlier in my career as it has given me a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment in looking after my patients. I love the busy atmosphere, the unknown of who may walk through our doors needing our help, the variety of nursing procedures and the camaradarie of my work colleagues is just tops.
I have a special interest in travel medicine and as a grandmother, I just love the Well Child checks we provide for our children.
My garden patiently awaits and never complains that the time now spent with it is much reduced.
Nurse Prue
I am married with three adult children and three grandchildren. We have been living in Canterbury for 6 years. Previously we were from Wanganui where we owned a tamarillo and mixed citrus orchard. I have been working at MEDIQUAL™ since 2002. I find Practice Nursing challenging and fulfilling, and my particular interest is in teaching patients how best to look after their own heath - eg. how to lower cholesterol levels, weight control. It gives me great satisfaction to coach them and empowering them to take charge of their health and wellness. Playing mum is second nature to me.
It is a real privilege to be working in a team where I feel supported and encouraged. I am continually learning and appreciate that Dr Annie is very encouraging when it comes to extending our scope of practice and following our special areas of interest. There is always something new to learn, and never a boring moment.
Previous to working at MEDIQUAL™ I have worked mainly within the hospital system, both public and private, with a wide experience including Radiology, Operating Theatre, Medical, Surgical, orthopaedics and Oncology. This variety of experience has proven very helpful in Practice Nursing, and I love the ongoing relationships I can build with the patients and families. It is wonderful to work within the close and supportive team at MEDIQUAL™. I look forward to meeting you, and seeing what and how I can be a help to you. I have to say I am the joker in the MEDIQUAL™ bunch, so if you have a sense of humour and a good joke then come and share it with me. Laughter is the best medicine, after all.
Nurse Robyn
I am married with two children and a Border Terrrier called Benson. I have lived in Canterbury all my life and I'm a proud supporter of the Crusaders. I love to travel and have spent some time living in the UK.
Prior to nursing I worked in the banking and hospitality industry, but found my true calling in nursing. I have been a practice nurse for 15 years and love the challenge and diversity general practice offers. Working with people of all ages and from all walks of life is immensely rewarding.
It is a privilege to be involved in your lives. I have a keen interest in child health/development and the wellbeing of the elderly. Empowering you and your families, working together with you in partnership "health" makes it all worth while. I really enjoy working at MEDIQUAL™, with a dedicated, friendly and supportive team.
Practice Co-ordinator, Chris
I have had the wonderful privilege of helping to establish MEDIQUAL™ in Belfast. In the 7th year of our operation I have worked full time covering business administrative and management tasks. It has been my job to make sure our systems are the best they can be to support the medical team to provide the best care with the best technology and systems in place. Helping to iron out problems, implementing updates, dealing with staff to ensure that the right hand knows what the left hand does and that as a team we move forward together in the forever changing medical environment has been my greatest challenge. We have recently undergone massive restructuring into PHO's, changed our IPA from Southlink Health to Pegasus, totally updated our computer software to Medtech 32 and undertaken Cornerstone Accreditation. Then came the arrival of 3 baby girls within 7 weeks - one of which is mine.
I am so grateful for the wonderful support from my husband Mike so that I can do this job. I am very grateful to Pegasus who have been absolutely amazing and supportive to our whole team, giving us the right tools to tackle the job. We want to acknowledge their role in our ability to be our best for you all.
I now work part time from home and also feel incredibly supported by the team at MEDIQUAL™. I am grateful for the opportunity to have achieved a good balance between work and home especially to enjoy my little girl.
So if you ask me in a nut shall what I do- it is to make sure everyone that works in MEDIQUAL™ feels safe and secure and empowered in their work; I help them to fine tune their job descriptions so everyone knows what they are meant to be doing; I cross the 't' and dot the 'i's and I check and double check!
If you think I can help you with any non-medical enquires you may have. Please feel free to contact me via email chris@bnmediqual.pegasus.net.nz
Clinical Co-ordinator, Debbie
I have had the pleasure of working as part of the MEDIQUAL™ team since February 01. They are a great team to be part of. I really enjoy the challenges of this busy practice.
You may see me working on the front desk, answering the phones, assisting the receptionists, nurses, and doctors or undertaking other activities necessary for a busy Practice.
You will also see my friendly face from time to time coordinating other community based activities such as our "Get Going Exercise Group" which is held weekly on a Wednesday afternoon in the Belfast Salvation Army church premises. This is aimed at the elderly and those with chronic conditions. This group is a pleasure to work with and I really enjoy our weekly get together for passive exercise and laughs.
I have a real heart for people and especially enjoy the personal contact with our patients. If there is any way that I can be helpful then give me a call. I look forward to meeting you.
Clinical Assistant, Ariel
My name is Ariel. I'm originally from Taiwan but have been in New Zealand for the last 13 years. I've been working with Annie and the MEDIQUAL™ team for almost two years performing a variety of tasks and gaining an amazing insight into what General Practice is all about.
My passion is to pursue a career in Medicine, and use my skills to serve poorer communities who have little or no access to health professionals overseas. I took a year off after completing High School in 2005 to work full-time with Annie and the team and have to say that it is such an enjoyable workforce to be a part of and will be sad to leave next year to go down to Otago to study. Watch out for me, you may well see me from time to time when I may well be back in the holidays.
Clinical Assistant, Kathy
Hi. I'm Kathy. I am a mother of 3 and grandmother of 6 ... loving every moment of working at MEDIQUAL™
I have a wide range of life experiences both in New Zealand and in a number of other countries. I have studied overseas and lived for long periods in developing nations where I had experience in dealing with tropical sicknesses and diseases. I lived through the worst of the SARS epidemic, riots, droughts and a Bird Flu scare in South East Asia, thus gaining a good understanding of the complexity of world health matters.
I teach art, am a keen gardener and I love cooking. I know it sounds weird but I have passion for caring for feet. I can't think of anything more relaxing than a bubbly foot spa, followed by a manicure and a nice foot massage. So come and see me for your foot and nail requirements. It is important to have your nails cut correctly and your feet checked out regularly.
Every Wednesday we run an exercise group for older folk who want to keep fit. I believe we all should all live and enjoy life to the max,
Why do I like working at Belfast MEDIQUAL™? It's hard work. It's challenging. It's rewarding. It's great to use some of the skills I've gathered over the years. But most of all I enjoy, and indeed count it a privilege, to be be part of the friendly MEDIQUAL™ team at Belfast Surgery, helping people in what ever way is needed.
Receptionist, Lizanne
Lizanne is currently on maternity leave until end of March 2006. She has a beautiful little girl, Kaitlyn, and is loving motherhood!
We introduce you to Kate and Dianne who are covering her leave....
Receptionist, Dianne
Hi, my name is Dianne. I am married to David and we have three teenagers; two sons and one daughter.
Previously I have worked at another medical centre and I have been involved with volunteer work at St John Ambulance, both Public and Ambulance duty. I am a member of the Community Group of Eldercare Canterbury and a Consumer Representative for Psychiatric Services for the Elderly. In 1998 I attended the first International Conference for Family Carers. This was held in London and brought together Carers from a dozen countries. It was such a time of great encouragement that I am keen to see carers supported and appreciated as I was. This is an area that I have a lot of time for, borne out of personal experience in caring for both my parents and father-in-law. I know this is such a challenging but rewarding aspect of family life, one to be faced head on. If you are in that position and need to have someone to talk to, let me know how I can help.
I joined Belfast MEDIQUAL™ in April as part of the Reception Team. It has been great working with such a dedicated team and I look forward to meeting you.
Kate, Receptionist
Hi my name is Kate and I am part of the Reception team here at Belfast North MEDIQUAL™ Doctors.
I came to New Zealand in December 2004 from the UK with my partner who is a Kiwi and absolutely love it here.
I joined the MEDIQUAL™ team in April of 2005 and thoroughly enjoy working with its team of dedicated health proffesionals; it's great to be a part of such a caring team and assist them to provide the best care and support possible.
It is my job,as a first point of contact for patients, to be as helpful as possible in assisting with bookings and I work closely with both Dianne and Debbie to help resolve any queries you might have.