Our Staff.

Great staff make for a great experience for you and ultimately better health because you get the service and the treatment you need. We have doctors, nurses, a physiotherapist, a dietitian and a fantastic admin and support team too.

Doctors Physiotherapist Nurses Health Care Admin

Our Doctors

Dr Miriam Martin

MBChB, DCH, DipObst, DipCEM, MBA

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Miriam is the managing director of Village Health and has a vast experience in Emergency Medicine and managing businesses. Miriam has a special interest in Urgent Care, Paediatrics (especially teenagers) and Women’s Health. Miriam really encourages all her patients to consider their lifestyle as a strong driver of their health, that is: diet, exercise and sleep and reducing smoking and alcohol. Being a mum herself and married to a youth worker, she really enjoys looking after babies, children and teenagers. You will no doubt see her if you book into an acute clinic and is available for “girlie” concerns if you are not comfortable with your normal doctor.

Dr. Emilene Galvin

MB Bch Bao

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Emilene migrated to the South Island of New Zealand in 2008 after completing her Medical training and working for a number of years in Ireland.

'The landscape of the south Island appealed to my love of the outdoors. Most of my experience has been on the medical wards in hospitals. I particularly enjoyed oncology, palliative care, cardiology and intensive care. I’m not fazed by a long list of medications and if changes need to happen I aim for one change at a time. My main focus is maintaining function.

When not at work I can be found pottering around the house doing my knitting, hanging out with my dog or in search of snow.'

Dr Isobel Platt

MBChB

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Isobel graduated from Sheffield University in 2012 and completed GP training in 2017 in the UK.

She is enjoying exploring New Zealand and getting outdoors whenever possible. Isobel enjoys most outdoors activities including running, biking, tramping and swimming.

Isobel has experience in psychiatry, elderly medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, palliative care and oncology giving her a wide range of experience to use in general practice.

Dr Janine Close

MBChB (Otago), DipObst, FRNZCGP

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Janine is a very experienced GP and is back from sabbatical now working part time. Janine is very particular about detail, ensuring nothing is missed and enjoys the vast variety that General Practice gives her. She especially enjoys dealing with families with babies and young children. Janine’s expertise is very much appreciated by all the other health professionals in the practice and especially those that are new to Christchurch’s quirky way of doing things post-Earthquake. Janine spends the rest of her time as a clinical editor writing expert GP advice for the Canterbury District Health Board’s online resources.

Dr Janine Searle

BSc, MBChB (Auckland), Dip Paeds, FRNZCGP

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Janine has been working on the North Side of Christchurch in General Practice for the last 4 years but has joined us to be more available to her school aged children. Janine loves the variety in General Practice and her experience ranges from paediatrics (2 years at Starship Hospital) right through to geriatrics and palliative care. Janine has also taken on the role as house doctor at Bishop Selwyn Lifecare as she enjoys the challenge that this older age group brings.

Dr Annette Walker

MBChB (Leeds), FRNZCGP

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Annette graduated in 1992 from Leeds University in the UK and came out to NZ in 1993 to travel and never went back. Annette has been a GP since 1997 and became a Fellow of the RNZCGP in 2014. Annette loves all aspects of General practice – she especially enjoys children and women’s health, minor surgery and the removal of skin lesions. Annette enjoys getting to know families providing care encompassing physical, mental health and social aspects of families. She was also a Police Medical Officer covering the Southern District – mainly forensic work (and is doing the same here in Christchurch, so if you find yourself in the police cells in Christchurch you might bump into her). Annette has moved back to Christchurch with her husband and 3 teenage boys who are all heavily involved in fencing. Annette currently has no space for more patients .

Dr Jennifer Walker

MBChB, PGDipOMG

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Jennifer has joined Village Health until December as a GP Registrar. Jennifer graduated from Otago University in 2014 and since then has worked in various hospitals including Nelson, Whangarei and Wellington. She has a particular interest in women's and child health.

Outside of medicine she enjoys running, mountain biking, skiing, tramping - almost everything active! She is also been kept busy organising her upcoming wedding in October.

Physiotherapist

Susan Saul, Dip. Phys. MNZSP; Dip, MT, Cred MDT

Susan comes to us from Arahura Health Centre and has postgraduate qualifications in Manipulative Physiotherapy and McKenzie training. This makes her an excellent first port of call for most musculoskeletal aches and pains. Have a look at the list below or ring our friendly receptionists if you are unsure.

Nursing Team Leader

Claire

Claire joins us from another busy surgery across town to take on the role of nursing team leader.

Claire settled in Christchurch in 2009, after emigrating from the UK with her husband and two children, and brings with her many years of experience in emergency nursing both in the UK and Christchurch.

Claire enjoys all aspects of practice nursing, especially the continuity of care that general practice provides, enabling close professional relationships to be built with patients and their families.

In her spare time, Claire enjoys getting outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

Our Nurses

Ria – Practice Nurse

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Ria has joined us from a large practice in the Hawkes Bay where she worked as a receptionist before she became a nurse. This experience in reception has given her “super-powers” when it comes to making sure you are up to date with all your screening.

Ria also loves babies, reading books and drinking coffees with her friends. Despite her love of babies, she is always keen to ensure that everyone is up to date with their contraception!

Sabina – Practice Nurse

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Health Care - Dietitian

Leanne

NZ Registered Dietitian, MDiet, BSc

Leanne has recently graduated as a dietitian from the University of Otago and is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the staff and patients of Village Health Lincoln Road. Born and bred in rural North Canterbury, Leanne loves getting outdoors, listening to music and visits to the beach.

Leanne is ready and able to address any dietary concerns including advice around weight and diabetes management, reduction of high blood pressure and cholesterol, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other gastro-intestinal diseases such as Ulcerative Colitis and Crohns Disease, food allergies and intolerances, pregnancy and paediatric nutrition.

Check out our monthly healthy eating tips here

Administration

Ali

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Mary-Ann

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Born and bred in Tokoroa, a small forestry town in the middle of the North Island, my husband and I left there in 1987 and have moved around the country with our six children (all adults now, some with their own children).

We have moved back to Christchurch, having lived here twice before, to support and enjoy time with our son and daughter in-law and three of our 13 grandchildren.

I love the flat plains of Christchurch that enable me to cycle/walk longer distances than normal, although I have found the odd hill to struggle up!

Karen

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Moving from Southland in 1998 to start work at Lincoln Road Medical Practice has been both rewarding and enjoyable. I enjoy the variety of people and work that General Practice brings, being able to assist with patient requests brings me great satisfaction in my work. I am from Ngai Tahu decent, married to Michael with three adult children. My interests include the outdoors, camping, spending time with whanau and my wonderful wee grandson.

General Manager

Brendan Canton BSC, GradDipMgt

Brendan has vast experience in practice management and works to keep the whole ship sailing in the right direction. He most recently was awarded the "Practice Manager of the Year"by PMAANZ too. Brendan is also experienced in IT which means that he is pretty handy around the place. Brendan’s main job in the next couple of years is to help Village Health plan, build and move into our new building planned for 30 Lincoln Road. A big job to be sure, but we think he is up to it.