team image

Our Doctors

Our team is made up of 7 doctors who all work part-time. We also have registrars working with us. A registrar is a fully qualified doctor who is now specialising in the area of General Practice and are under the supervision of one of the doctors while they are here.

Because our doctors only work part-time, it may not always be possible to see the same doctor on each visit. However, if you book in advance you can usually choose who you would like to see. Our doctors and the days they work are listed below. Our usual appointments are 15 minutes long so if you feel you need a longer appointment please discuss with reception when booking. This may incur an extra fee. Read more about Appointments.

Doctors

Dr Alison Wooding

Dr Bernard Fanning

Dr Graham Whitaker

Dr Pat McIntosh

Dr Zita Descalzo

Dr Ajay Varghese

Dr Esther Tillson

staff image

Dr Pat McIntosh

General Practitioner

Dr Pat McIntosh

General Practitioner - MBChB (Edin 1977), FRNZCGP

Other qualifications:

  • Diploma in Child Health (UK)
  • Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (UK)
  • Diploma in Aviation Medicine (UK)
  • Previous member of the Faculty of Homoeopathy (UK).

General practice has always been my passion in medicine and I have practised in a wide variety of settings from city centres to expeditions, refugee camps and military bases. I like to take a holistic approach and have a particular interest in the management of chronic and long term problems.

Outside medicine I may be found tramping in the hills with my husband, kayaking on the estuary, and helping with conservation and environmental projects. I reckon this is still healthcare, even if in a wider sense.

Works: Works Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Languages: English

staff image

Dr Alison Wooding

General Practitioner

Dr Alison Wooding

General Practitioner

I qualified as doctor in the UK in 1984 and did my GP training there as well. I came to New Zealand in 1990 and settled in Christchurch in 1996 when I joined the Union and Community Health Centre. This service has now become Piki Te Ora Medical Centre.

As a GP, I am involved in the GP training scheme where we teach experienced hospital doctors how to make the move to general practice and teach 4th year medical students. I also work part-time for Nurse Maude hospice as a hospice doctor.

Works: Works Tuesday mornings, Wednesdays, Thursday mornings and Fridays

Languages: ENGLISH

staff image

Dr Graham Whitaker

General Practitioner

Dr Graham Whitaker

General Practitioner - MB BS ,BSc, MRCGP, MRCP, FRNZCGP

UK trained. Special Interests - Diabetes and Cardiology.

Married with two high school aged children, and enjoy most balls sports and the great NZ outdoors.

Works: Works Monday mornings, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

Languages: ENGLISH