{{title}}

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 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.

Jane grew up on a farm in Mid Canterbury. Prior to studying medicine, she completed a degree in Speech-Language Therapy and worked in the area of stroke rehabilitation. She graduated from The University of Auckland School of Medicine in 2014 and relocated back to Canterbury to work in a range of specialities at Christchurch Hospital before entering General Practice. Jane has been working at Halswellhealth since 2017 and enjoys getting to know patients and their families, and the variety that general practice offers. She has postgraduate diplomas in women’s and children’s health. When not at work she enjoys spending time with her family, travel, outdoor activities and cooking. Jane is not currently enrolling new 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.

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 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. Kimberley is not currently enrolling new patients.

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. Kurt is not currently enrolling patients.

Helen graduated from the University of Otago in 2012. She worked in a wide range of specialties at Dunedin Hospital before living in Germany for 3 years, returning to start General Practice in 2019 in Dunedin. She has recently moved up to Christchurch with her young family and joined the Halswell team in December 2020. She enjoys the variety of general practice and getting to know patients and their families. When not at work she is enjoying time with her two little kids and getting to know Christchurch. She is currently working towards her RNZCGP fellowship. Helen does not have enrolled patients.

Originally from Auckland, Emily is a South Island convert and recently moved back to Christchurch. She studied in Dunedin and Christchurch, graduating in 2014. She has completed postgraduate study in Women's Health and in Clinical Ethics, and took a break from clinical medicine to do an internship with WHO. Emily has a passion for preventative healthcare and keeping people well. She has interests in the areas of mental health, family planning (contraception and fertility), sexual health, LGBTQI+ health, and dermatology/skin conditions. Mostly she enjoys getting to know patients and their whanau, and helping them achieve their health goals. Outside of work she enjoys crafting (knitting, sewing, pottery), tramping, cooking and playing with her two dogs. She is also learning te reo and enjoys keeping her skills and knowledge of medicine up to date. Emily is not currently enrolling patients but has taken over the care of Jane Lilley's patients while she is on maternity leave.

Ben has worked in the health and fitness industry for over 10 years in a variety of positions, predominately as a Strength & Conditioning Coach and Tertiary Tutor. He has an interesting academic and experiential background, completing a Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science (2010) and Graduate Diploma in Physical Conditioning (2012). Additionally, he served several years in NZ Army as a Fire Fighter attached to the Royal New Zealand Engineer Regiment and is a passionate writer for Rod and Rifle Magazine NZ. He is available to see patients at the practice to help develop knowledge, understanding and tools in the following areas of health; physical activity, nutrition, sleep hygiene, lifestyle modification, posture, weight loss, stress management, motivation, and management of long-term health conditions. Appointments with Ben are free of charge. Patients can be referred by their GP or practice nurse.

Ros is a registered Occupational Therapist and has worked in Mental Health for the last 12 years in NZ and in Melbourne. She is experienced in Acceptance and Commitment therapy and has a particular interest in how people interact within their environments. She is available to see patients with a variety of issues including managing your mood, sleep issues, work or school stress, parenting issues, relationship difficulties, or managing long term physical health conditions.

Meeting with a Health Improvement Practitioner is often the first step in making small changes towards improving your sense of overall wellbeing.

Appointments with Ros are free of charge and referrals can be made via your GP or practice nurse.

I have worked at Halswellhealth since 2013. I am a diabetes nurse prescriber and run a weekly diabetes clinic. I enjoy working with people with Type 1 and 2 diabetes to achieve their health goals. I also enjoy working in woman's and family health within the practice. Outside of work I enjoy my e-bike, paddle boarding and walking.

Gemma has worked at Halswellhealth since 2014. She is our 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.

Odette joined Halswell Health in 2019 and looks after the payroll and financials for the practice. With a background in Business Management she originally comes from South Africa and has been in NZ since 2012, loving the Kiwi way of life. When not at work, she loves to upcycle furniture and re-decorate her home, her 4 grandchildren keep her busy the rest of the time.