Meet Our Doctors

Dr Adrian Ireland

I was born in Swansea, Wales and completed my undergraduate degree at Aberdeen University in 1988. I completed 4 years GP training in West Wales, 10 years single-handed GP in Leeds, UK and then emigrated to NZ in 2001. I worked as a GP principal in Matamata for 8 years and have been a director at Thames Medical Centre for 9 years. I'm married with two grown-up children, two grandchildren and a strange dog. I live in Thames and love it here. I don't have one specialty, it's the variety of General Practice that has always appealed to me, and the getting to know people over the years of seeing them. 

Dr Albert Poortier

I completed my undergraduate degree at The University of Pretoria in South Africa. I then completed my house surgeon years at Timaru and Hastings Memorial Hospitals here in NZ. I worked in anaesthetics before completing vocational training. I owned my own practice in South Africa before for 20 years before moving to Thames in 2017. I enjoy doing equestrian sport and outdoor activities with my wife and two sons. 

Dr Denise Stapleton

I have been a GP for 24 years. 

I also work in Hamilton at Hamilton Girls High School and am excited to also be working at Thames High School once a week.

Dr Margaret Parle and I are sharing a practice here at Thames Medical Centre. 
 

Dr Kerry Hennessy

I graduated from Otago University in 1983. I have worked all over NZ in various roles at various hospitals before settling here in Thames as a GP in 1988. I have been a director of Thames Medical Centre ever since. I have previously worked extensively in obstetrics. I enjoy the variety of general practice. When not at work, I enjoy mountain biking, music and spending time with my wife, three adult sons, and our two dogs, Hazel and Sprite.

Dr Margaret Parle

I have been a GP for 24 years. My areas of special interest are palliative care and post-natal depression. 

I also work at the horse races looking after jockeys. 

I am married with two daughters. 

Dr Denise Stapleton and I are sharing a practice here at Thames Medical Centre. 
 

Dr Stephen Gunn

I have been a general practitioner and director here at Thames Medical Centre for 10 years. I studied at Otago university before relocating my family to Thames, initially working at Thames Hospital and now full time in general practice.  I have a post-graduate diploma in child health and a Fellowship in the College of General Practitioners. I live in Thames with my wife and have six children of various ages.  My interests outside of medicine are boating and fishing, and enjoying time with family.

Dr Virginie Jouan

I went to Medical School in France and graduated with a Doctor of Medicine in 1993. I was first hospital based in a general surgery department and ED before opening my own General Practice in 2001. I left France with my family in 2014 to live and work as a GP in North Queensland, Australia where I specialised in skin cancer medicine. 

We moved to New Zealand 18months ago and we are happy with our choice. Thames was the right pick as we enjoy the country side, beaches, boating and scuba-diving. My husband and our oldest son have joined the local fire brigade and I think we have integrated well into our community.