Meet the doctors and staff at Kings Meadows Medical

Dr Toby Gardner, a partner at Newstead Medical, works every second Tuesday at Kings Meadows Medical Centre.

Dr Gardner was raised and trained in Queensland, and spent a number of years working in rural Qld before relocating to Launceston in 2006 to raise his young family. He enjoys and works across all areas of Medicine, and is actively involved in the training and examining of young doctors at both an undergraduate and postgraduate level. He holds a part-time appointment with UTAS where he is involved in teaching Emergency Medicine, and outside work enjoys the wine, food and events that are unique to Tasmania.

Dr Daniel Kirk, a partner at Newstead Medical, works every Thursday at Kings Meadows Medical Centre.

Originally from Western Australia where he completed his medical degree at the University of Western Australia, Dr Kirk moved to Tasmania in 2018. Outside of his work as a GP, he enjoys spending time with his family, running and playing cricket.

Dr Pearson has worked in General Practice for over twenty five years, in a variety of settings. He has an interest is skin cancer surgery, though has a broad background including working as an Anaesthetist both in British city hospitals and remotely in Australia, in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Australia and New Zealand, and in Tropical Medicine, working in Africa and remote Australia, including a lot of work with Aboriginal communities.

Dr Pearson also has extensive experience in Emergency Medicine, and worked for the RFDS in Western Australia and Tasmania, the NT Aerial Medical Service, and with the QLD Air Ambulance Service.

He is a keen bushwalker, pack rafter, white water kayaker, and mountain biker. A lover of the natural world, Dr Pearson is a keen conservationist and has been active in climate change education for sixteen years.

Rebekah was born and raised in the Tamar Valley. She attended medical school at the University of Tasmania and has worked across all three major hospitals in the state since graduating in 2012. She has worked extensively in Emergency Medicine, including in far-north Queensland, which has given her a broad foundation. She is a proud Tasmanian and enjoys bushwalking, good food, and the company of friends and family.

Rebekah will be working Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Dr Amanda Clifford works at Kings Meadows Medical Centre on Tuesdays and also works at Newstead Medical and the Urgent Care Centre.

She completed her RACGP fellowship in 2018. She has a special interest in antenatal care, women’s health and paediatrics, mental health, but loves looking after everyone and is friendly in her approach, loves to have a chat and enjoys being able to see and get to know the family. Amanda is a mum to 3 young children and is often at the beach with them, her husband and family dog.

Dr Hopwood completed his medical training in Australia in 1978 before working overseas in the UK and in tropical Africa. He then returned to rural and regional practice in Australia, where he has worked for the past 28 years.

He enjoys teaching medical students, managing diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and is a keen swimmer and cyclist.

Dr James Pankhurst has commenced working with us this year at Kings Meadows Medical Centre. Originally from New Zealand, he migrated to Tassie in 2012, studying medicine at UTAS and working at the LGH from 2018-2023, primarily in surgical disciplines.

We’re thrilled he’s made the move into General Practice. Having bought a house with his wife in Kings Meadows 3 years ago, he plans to be with us for the long-term. and is accepting new patients.

Dr Sandra Newfield recently returned to Launceston. Originally from NSW, she obtained her medical degree from the University of Sydney in 1983 and enjoys all aspects of general practice. Sandra also speaks Russian and is accepting new patients.

Dr Ishita Banerjee completed her residency at the Launceston General Hospital prior to commencing at Kings Meadows Medical. After graduating, Dr Banerjee attained her Master of Public Health in Melbourne, and she also has a Graduate Certificate in Child Health from the Western Sydney University. Dr Banerjee enjoys the diversity and continuity of care in General Practice, and in her spare time she enjoys bushing walking, chasing waterfalls with her family and occasionally likes to kick back with a glass of Tassie wine.

Tamara joined our team as a medical receptionist in 2018, and in 2021 joined the finance team and worked as Finance Officer across Newstead Medical, the Urgent Care Centre, Kings Meadows Medical and NewWorkHealth. In 2022 she was appointed Practice Manager at Kings Meadows Medical.

Tamara prides herself on her attention to detail and her ability to support her team on a daily basis.

Natalie started her nursing carer at the LGH. She has been working for Newstead Medical as the Clinical Nurse Manager since Dec 2020 before this she was the Clinical Coordinator at Kings Meadows Medical Centre. Natalie enjoys playing netball and riding dirt bikes in her spare time. Natalie loves working in General Practice as she loves the interaction with the patients and getting to know them and their stories.

Nyssa joined our team in 2014 and has over 15 years experience working with General Practice. She completed her Bachelor of Commerce in 2004 and is a member of CPA Australia. She enjoys finding innovative ways to deliver the highest quality healthcare to our patients.
When she is not at work she enjoys spending time with her family, horses and spending time in the garden.