Our staff together Staff at the front desk Ear examination Testing hearing Checking blood pressure Helping with breathing Administering an injection Preparing for a sample Caring for a hand Reception staff Physiotherapy Baby care Reception READ about our staff
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Introducing our MEDIQUAL™ 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.


Physiotherapy Practice Manager – Jo McKay

Hi, I'm Jo and I manage the MEDIQUAL™ Physiotherapy Clinic. I have been a physiotherapist for over 16 years working in Private Practice and Hospitals in NZ, America and England. I enjoy working with people and gain great satisfaction from restoring people to full function.

I have vast experience in the musculoskeletal field having worked with amateur through to professional athletes, and those injured at home or in the work place. I am also able to offer acupuncture treatment.

I have managed the MEDIQUAL™ Physiotherapy Clinic since February 2001 and many of you may have been treated by me around this time. I now have three young children so have employed Bonnie to offer full time hours at Belfast, while I continue to operate my other clinic (Palms Physio) on a part-time basis. You may find me filling in for Bonnie during periods of annual leave, or brought in for a second opinion on your problem.

I have found the team at Belfast a pleasure to work with and have thoroughly enjoyed my contact with the diverse range of patients at MEDIQUAL™.

Bonnie and I hope you will see us as part of the MEDIQUAL™ team, and take advantage of what physiotherapy can offer. Please phone us if you have any queries regarding whether we can help you.

Physiotherapist - Bonnie Yang

Hi, I'm Bonnie, the full time Physio at Belfast North MEDIQUAL™. I am originally form Taiwan, moved to NZ 8 years ago, attended High school in Christchurch, and then studied Physiotherapy at Otago University. I returned to Christchurch to finish my final year of study, and have since stayed on to work.

It has been a great pleasure to work with the friendly and caring MEDIQUAL™ team, and I am enjoying contact with the diverse range of patients. My job here is to provide the best physiotherapy service I can to anyone who has had an injury and would love to get back to work, sports, or have every day function restored for a better quality of life. Feel free to phone in if you have any queries, and I'll be more than happy to help you and look forward to meeting you.


Acupuncturists - Adam and Jessie

We welcome Adam and Jessie to MEDIQUAL™.

Their hours are:
Tuesday 8.30am - 12.30pm br>Thursday 8.30am - 12.30pm
Saturday 8.30am - 12.10pm

Adam Ren

Trained in Western medicine, and specialising in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) China, Adam has a Masters’ degree of TCM (China). He is also a Member of the NZ Register of Acupuncturists and is a ACC Treatment Provider. With eight years full-time training, and 10 years clinical experience, Adam held the position of consultant surgeon and lecturer at the hospital affiliated to the Fujian College of TCM, China, before coming to New Zealand in 2002.

Jessie Xiao

Also trained in Western medicine and specialising in Traditional Chinese Medicines, Jessie has a Masters’ degree of TCM (China). She is a Member of the NZ Register of Acupuncturists and is an ACC Treatment Provider. She also underwent eight years of full-time training, and has done 10 years clinical experience. She was a consultant physician and lecturer at the Hunan Medical University and The Fujian College of TCM, China, before moving to New Zealand in 2002.


Practice Co-ordinator, Kate

I began working at MEDIQUAL™ in 2005 shortly after arriving from the UK with my Kiwi partner. I have now settled and married, so I'm sticking around! Its my job to support our team and ensure that they have all the resources they need to get on with the important job in hand - looking after you! .

My focus is on ensuring we have good systems in place to keep each other up-to-date and of course up to play with what’s happening in terms of the wider healthcare context. I'm also here to troubleshoot and help staff achieve their goals. If you think I can help with any non-medical enquiries you may have please don't hesitate to contact me via email kate@bnmediqual.pegasus.net.nz. Or phone the surgery on 323 6789.


Support, Chris

I have had the wonderful privilege of helping to establish MEDIQUAL™ in Belfast. I worked full time as Practice Coordinator up to our 7th year of operation before having my first child. Covering business administrative and management tasks, my role was to make sure our systems were the best to support the medical team to provide the best care. Helping to iron out problems, dealing with staff to ensure that the right hand knew what the left hand did, and that as a team we moved forward together in the forever changing medical environment was my greatest challenge.

I continued in my role part-time from home for the next 3.5 years before having my second child and now with two children and still keen to work from home, I have returned from maternity leave to provide support to the management and administrative team. My work is behind the scenes and my interest remains in HR and selecting the best systems to support the very wonderful team we have.


Administrator, Nelly

Hi my name is Nelly, I immigrated to New Zealand 18 years ago and I am married with a little boy. My background is financial and accountancy work so my strong points are attention to detail and making sure everything adds up !.

I have been at MEDIQUAL™ for a year now, working mainly 'behind the scenes' in my role as Office Administrator.Our team here at MEDIQUAL™ is fantastic and very supportive, I don't think I could ever find nicer people to work with, it is a great team to be working with.

I do get out of the office though !, taking the excersise group at the Salvation Army every wednesday afternoon, keeps me in tune. It is nice to meet and get to know some of our patients in the community and make a real difference to their health and mine too.

Being a Mandarin speaker I can help if you have any questions or need help in understanding more about the New Zealand health system.

Clinical Co-ordinator, Debbie

I have worked at MEDIQUAL™ since February 2001 and the years have gone very quickly .

I enjoy the challanges of a busy practice. You will have seen me working in most areas from reception to assisting the doctors so every day is a different day. You may see my friendly face here or there, sometimes through the week and other times in the weekends. 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 you should give me a call.

It is my job to make sure that you are cared for in the most appropriate manner. Because we are all so different I want to make sure that you get the best care from our team.

I look forward to seeing you and seeing what we can do as a MEDIQUAL™ team to help.


Receptionist, Lizanne

I joined the MEDIQUAL™ team as a Receptionist in February 2004 after returning from my five year OE in the UK where I worked for MEDAS as a Team Leader in the Account Query Department. In 2005 I took maternity leave and I have now rejoined the team part-time from home covering administration tasks and system maintenance to support the receptionists, nurses and GPs at the practice.

My main focus is to ensure our database is as up to date as it can be, from reminder systems to enrolment information. This role has complimented my work-life balance as I am able to remain in the workforce while caring full time for my daughter Kaitlyn. I am enjoying the new challenge and feel grateful to be part of a supportive team.

In my spare time I enjoy playing touch rugby, cross-stitch, reading and playing with my little girl and of course eating chocolate!

I may contact you from time to time to confirm your enrolment details with us and ensure your details are up to date. I look forward to being of assistance to you.

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.

Receptionist, Tricia

Hi, I'm Tricia, one of receptionists who many of you will know, as I started with Dr Annie when the surgery first opened. I have since come back to work within a "family environment" which I am thoroughly enjoying.

I have a beautiful grandson, Cohen who is the apple of my eye. Life is very busy as I enjoy the garden, have overseas students (long and short term) and spend as much time as possible with my daughter, Pip and Cohen.

I'm the loud one who enjoys a joke and calls everyone "dear" so please don't take offence. I love this job as you meet so many different people.

If I can help any of you please let me know as I love been able to assist people.