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Danielle was raised in Halswell and graduated from Otago Medical School in 1999. After graduation she worked in a wide range of hospital medicine specialities. During this time she gained postgraduate diplomas in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and in Paediatrics. Danielle commenced General Practice in 2006 and has been working at Halswellhealth since then. She is a Fellow of the RNZCGP. Danielle enjoys all aspects of General Practice, and has a particular interest in "women's health, children's health and skin cancer diagnosis". "Danielle and her partner have two children". Her interests include walking, tramping, cycle touring, skiing and gardening. Danielle is not currently enrolling new patients.

Philip Jacobs is from Christchurch and trained at Otago Medical School. He started his career in rural practice in Central Southland before moving to Halswell in 1998. He has a broad interest in all aspects of General Practice and enjoys minor surgery, palliative care, mens health and health care of the elderly. He enjoys the 'people' part of General Practice and believes in the power of a stable, long-term relationship between the patient and their doctor. His associate is Dr Clare Healy. Phil is not currently enrolling new patients.

Sarah graduated in 1998 in Edinburgh. She is a fellow of the RNZCGP. She moved to New Zealand in 2001 and joined Halswellhealth in 2005 after several years working in Christchurch Hospital in Oncology and Palliative Care. She enjoys all aspects of General Practice and maintains a special interest in Palliative Care and Child Health. She is also involved in teaching medical students and GP registrars. Sarah sits on several committees related to general practice. Away from work Sarah is mum to two busy boys and enjoys playing tennis, running, modern quilting and reading. Her associate is Dr Viv van Dam. Sarah is not currently enrolling new patients.

Having previously read English Literature at Durham University, Katharine returned to studying and went on to graduate from the University of Nottingham Medical School in 2010. After working in the NHS in the UK she moved to New Zealand in 2011. During her career Katharine has gained hospital experience in various medical and surgical specialties until joining Halswellhealth in early 2015. She is passionate about all aspects of General Practice with a particular interest in Paediatrics and Women’s Health. Outside of work Katharine is kept busy with two energetic young children and an unruly lifestyle block. When she finds the time she enjoys reading, painting, playing tennis, is a keen golfer and loves the outdoors. Katharine is not currently enrolling new patients.

Gaye works part time at Halswellhealth covering for staff on leave. She has been a GP in Christchurch since 1997 and is a graduate of the University of Otago Medical School. Working part time enables her to follow her interests outside of medicine: gardening, helping with conservation and community projects and having adventures.

Clare Healy has been a GP since 1987. She is married to Dr Phil Jacobs and they have three children. Clare works at Halswellhealth on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. She is the Clinical Director of the Cambridge Clinic where she sees patients who have been sexually or physically assaulted. Clare has a Masters in Forensic Medicine and enjoys teaching in this area of healthcare. She also has a role in planning health services for Canterbury. Clare is the associate for Dr Phil Jacobs, she does not have her own enrolled patients.

Joan Leighton has worked part-time at Halswellhealth since 1991. She enjoys all aspects of General Practice and has completed the requirements for Fellowship of the Royal New Zealand College of General Practioners. Outside medicine and family commitments, she enjoys tennis, walking her dog, and reading, especially New Zealand books. Joan is an associate for the Practice so is available to see any patients. She does not have her own enrolled patients.

Graduating from Otago Medical School, Caroline initially found herself attracted to rural General Practice working in Te Anau and Central Otago. Her horizons expanded to include Papua New Guinea, the UK and Nepal where her skills in High Altitude and Expedition Medicine were put to good use. Settling in Tai Tapu with her children, Caroline spent 15 years in semi rural practice in Lincoln. Since 2016 she has had a change of focus at Halswellhealth and is enjoying the cultural diversity of urban practice. Caroline’s particular interests include Older Persons’ Health and Palliative Care. Also enjoying women’s health, Caroline has skills in IUCD and contraceptive implant insertions as well as minor surgery. When she’s not at work Caro is very active sailing, skiing, tramping and swimming. Caroline is not currently enrolling new patients.

Robert Sweeney has been in General Practice since 1983, firstly in Brisbane before moving to Christchurch with his family in 1992. He practised at Papanui Medical Centre for many years and then worked as a locum around New Zealand and Australia, after the earthquake. He chose to settle at Halswellhealth in 2014. He considers himself an all-round General Practitioner, but has completed extra study in child health, healthcare of the elderly and tropical medicine. Rob is not currently enrolling new patients.

Born in Malaysia, Olivia graduated from Otago University in 2003, then worked across a broad range of medical, and paediatric hospital specialties before being drawn to general practice. She completed postgraduate qualifications in Women’s Health and Children’s Health and gained her Fellowship in the Royal New Zealand College of General Practice in 2016. She has been at Halswellhealth since 2010 and currently works part time. She enjoys all aspects of general practice especially working with families. Olivia is an associate for the Practice so is available to see any patients. She does not have her own enrolled patients.

Viv van Dam graduated from Auckland Medical School in 2002 and after 2 years of working in NZ she moved to the UK. There Viv worked in various hospitals jobs and obtained a Diploma of Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Following this time Viv completed a 3 year GP training scheme based in Bath, UK. Viv and her husband moved back to NZ in 2010 and she has been working part time in Christchurch since. Viv is a fellow of the NZ College of GP's. When not at work she looks after her two children and loves the outdoors. Viv is the associate for Dr Sarah Marr, she does not have her own enrolled patients.

Alex was born in Taiwan, her and her family made the big move to Whangarei when she was nine. She went on to complete Medical school with Otago University, and has lived in Christchurch since 2010. Since graduating in 2012, she has pursued various surgical and medical interest at the hospital, before deciding to train as a GP. Alex finds building relationships with patients and their families to be a very rewarding part of GP practice. She has a special interest in children's health, women's health, minor surgery and palliative care. Alex speaks fluent English, conversational Mandarin, Taiwanese, and small amounts of Japanese and Spanish. When she's not at work, she enjoys gardening, knitting/crocheting, surfing, DIY home renovation projects, and spending time with her young family. Alex is an associate for the Practice. She does not have her own enrolled patients.

Kimberley graduated from the University of Otago Medical School in 2012. She worked in Dunedin Hospital for several years before moving into General Practice. She has completed postgraduate qualifications in women's and children's health from the University of Otago, and is currently working towards her fellowship with the RNZCGP. While she was born in NZ, she spent most of her growing up years in Singapore, before moving to Dunedin for University. She has recently moved to Christchurch with her husband and young son, and joined the Halswell Health team in December 2019. When not at work. Kimberley enjoys sewing kids clothes, cooking and exploring Christchurch with her family.

Kurt graduated medical school from the University of Otago in 2014. Prior to this he completed a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Genetics. Since graduating, Kurt has worked in a wide variety of hospital specialties including Ear, Nose and Throat, Emergency, Gynaecology and Women’s Health and Paediatrics. Kurt started training in General Practice in 2018 and is working towards completing his fellowship, He has a post graduate diploma in Surgical Anatomy and is working towards completing his certificate in Women’s Health in 2020.

Gemma has worked at Halswellhealth since 2014. She is our deputy nurse manager. Her areas of interest are women’s health, spirometry, venepuncture, respiratory and child health. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with her young family

Jane is our Assistant Practice Manager and has worked at Halswellhealth since 2009. She is involved in the administration of the practice and any patient account enquires please contact her.

Claire has been at Halswellhealth since 2008 in which time she has had various roles in the practice. She now works as part of the administration team. If you need any help with the patient portal then you are more than welcome to contact her. Outside of work she is kept busy with her three children and renovating her house.