Our Mission Statement
Waihopai Health Services strives to provide a people focused, comprehensive primary health service of exemplary quality. Our Service will be provided by a well-educated team of health professionals involved in continuous quality improvement.
We will encourage health promotion and disease prevention in a calm, courteous, compassionate and caring environment helping you make informed decisions about your health.
We will provide this to our patients in partnership with our medical, nursing and administrative team, Maori, contractors and other stakeholders.
Our Doctors
Dr Bryan Stout - Director
I worked as a GP at Waihopai Health Services since 2011 when I shifted south from Tauranga. I became a WHS director with Drs. Mulvany and Vermunt in 2016.
Having grown up on the North Shore of Auckland, I graduated from Auckland Medical School in 1994, and worked in hospital placements in Thames, Auckland and Tauranga.
I began my GP career in 2000 at Te Puke Medical Centre and obtained full GP registration (FRNZCGP) in 2005.
I completed a Diploma in Sports and Exercise Medicine in 2017, through Otago University. Other areas of particular interest in General Practice include cardiovascular health, and children’s health.
Outside of work and study I enjoy spending time with my wife and 3 children/teenagers and involvement with our local church. Leisure pursuits usually involve fitness and sport, particularly running, cycling, swimming and waterskiing.
Dr Matthew Sloane
After training in the UK with my first degree from the University of St Andrews, Scotland I qualified as a doctor from the University of Manchester and worked in the UK for a short while before deciding to travel. I originally came to work in Southland at Kew Hospital for one year, before deciding on making a permanent move. After a number of years of medical and emgergency department roles, I decided to specialise in General Practice. I also work with Prison Clinics, Youth Clinics and regular Rest Home Clinics.
In my spare time I enjoy mountain biking and snowboarding.
Dr Dayna More
My name is Dayna More and I work part-time at Waihopai Health Services as a GP.
I am originally from the Waikato and attended the University of Otago, graduating in 2005. After working in Hawke’s Bay and Lower Hutt I moved to Invercargill in 2014 along with my husband and young family.
I love being a GP and particularly enjoy the diversity of my job. I have a special interest in paediatrics (having completed a Post-graduate Diploma in Child Health) and also a particular interest in Older Person’s Health and chronic condition management. In my spare time I enjoy gardening, cooking and travelling.
Dr Rebecca Short
I have been a GP for over 20 years, most of that time in NZ. Before that I did hospital runs in medicine, surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics, gynaecology, palliative care, psychiatry, dermatology and geriatrics. I chose general practice because it is my medical specialty that allows the doctor to continue all of those skills and have the privilege of getting to know people and their families over many years. I love my job.
I am English though I would definitely say I’ve embraced the kiwi way of life – I’m married to a kiwi farmer and have done my time in the milking shed! We have 3 boys, 2 at local schools and one at Otago University.
At the weekends we are to found elbow-deep in cat litter or dog biscuits at the SPCA and we go tramping with the Field Club. We have 3 dogs (occupational hazard of volunteering at the SPCA) a cat, rabbit, and guinea pig plus a lame sheep.
Dr Lara Temple - Doig
Waihopai Health wish to inform
you that due to a change in personal circumstances, Dr Lara Temple-Doig has
relocated to Christchurch as of January 2024.
Dr Lara has been a valued member
of the team at Waihopai Health Services. We wish her and her family well for
the future. Her departure leaves a gap in the community and the services
she has provided. She will be sadly missed.
Waihopai Health Services is
actively recruiting for a new permanent GP to join our team. We expect that we
will be able to offer you greater appointment availability within the next few
months. If Dr Lara was your preferred GP, please be assured that you will be
able to see one of our other doctors as required.
We appreciate the anxiety that
the departure of your GP may cause. Waihopai Health Services is confident that
your medical needs will continue to be met by the team.
We are actively working towards
securing a long-term replacement for Dr Temple-Doig.
Thank you for your
understanding.
Dr Raphael Escovar
We are excited to welcome Dr Raphael Escovar to the Waihopai Health Services team.
Our Nursing Team
For many of our patients, our nurses are the first point of contact for information and guidance about their health.
Consultations will incur a fee.
Karen Russell - Registered Nurse / Nurse Manager
Karen is a Registered Nurse, and she is a born and bred Southlander.
Karen has previous clinical nursing experience in various areas including; medical, emergency, critical care and most recently neonatal care. She enjoys the change and challenge of primary healthcare nursing and strives to give a personal and professional service.
In her spare time she enjoys travelling, reading, concerts and tramping.
Bridie Agate - Registered Nurse
Bridie originates from Tapanui. She qualified from Otago Polytechnic in 2004 with a Batchelor of Nursing, and has worked in a variety of hospitals, predominately in emergency departments, as well as nursing up skifields and on a super yacht.
Bridie has completed a post graduate in Emergency Nursing.
She has worked in primary health care since 2015 and has particular interest in sexual health & women’s health.
Sara Gentle - Registered Nurse
Sara is originally from the seaside town of Riverton. She studied in Southland at SIT completing the Bachelor of Nursing. Her Nursing background is within the Aged Care Sector.
Sara enjoys community nursing and promoting positive health outcomes. As part of her role she manages the patient notice board and monthly health focus.
In her free time she can be found spending time on the farm running dogs, surfing or horse riding.
Pam Meredith - Enrolled Nurse
Pam is our Enrolled Nurse. A support nurse for whoever needs help. Often found assisting with minor surgery or removing your sutures post surgery. Checking your observations and doing ECG’s. She may be called to chaperone and is often informing you of what you have overdue. If you haven’t had your flu vaccine she will be looking for you to protect you for the upcoming winters.
Occasionally she will be found in reception to allow the receptionists time to have their meetings. She will be ordering stock, setting up the rooms and sending out letters to you.
Karen Williams - Registered Nurse
Our Administration Team
Dr Sier Vermunt – Director
Dr Vermunt is one of the directors of Waihopai Health Services. Dr Vermunt initially practiced in the Gladstone Medical Centre. Since a traumatic brain injury in 2001 he has not been able to return to clinical practice but has a role in managing the overall functioning of Waihopai Health Services. His special interest is in Health Information and Security. He works to ensure the security of your health information but is also aware that this information needs to be shared with other health care providers with the patient’s consent. Dr Vermunt works with the team at Waihopai Health to provide our patients with the highest quality of care that is available.
Lyn Clark - Administrator Manager
I have been employed in Primary Health since 2001. The ever changing environment is exciting if not a challenging role. In 2012 I gained NZIM Certificate in Practice Management (Health).
