Experienced Local Doctors
Barrier Reef Medical Centre was established in 1978 and continues today with the same philosophy of individual patient centred care while keeping pace with progress in both modern clinical developments in a contemporary accredited care environment.
Our doctors have a strong commitment to their own individual medical education, all being certified with the Royal College of General Practice for Quality Improvement and Continuing Professional Development (QI & CPD). The medical centre is also accredited as a training practice, involved in the training of GP Registrars and medical students.
In June 2014, the medical centre transferred to their new state of the art premises at 356 McLeod Street, Cairns North. The new premises allow our clinical and non clinical staff to care for all patients in a relaxed, modern and friendly environment, ensuring the foundation philosophy is continued.
We have nine contracted Doctors and four Registered Nurses. All Doctors are individual contractors and will determine their own billing arrangements. Both Doctors and Nurses have a diverse range of interests being able to support each other as they provide care for all ages.
Apart from family medicine our Doctor’s interests include antenatal share care, children’s health, sports and physical medicine, travel medicine and immunisations, sexual health, skin care including digital dermatoscopy and on-site excisions, commercial and workplace medicine including DAME (Designated Aviation Medical Examiner), employment medicals, palliative care, nursing home and elderly home visits as well as “end of life” care.
We have specially designed an appointment for a full medical called Well Woman Check and a Man Overhaul appointment. Please see our Services page for further information.
OUR MISSION
Barrier Reef Medical Centre will endeavour, through attention to you as an individual and continuing staff development, to provide cost effective, quality medical care in a compassionate and holistic manner throughout life.
OUR DOCTORS
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Dr Ian Bennett (MBBS)
Since graduating in 1980, I have returned to Cairns where I grew up, to work intially at Cairns Base, then Mareeba Hospital and at BRMC in 1984. It is an honour to have cared for so many people and families, some times up to five generations in one family in my own community. It is wonderful to see a second and third generation of patients, including one of our doctors at the practice. I am continually challenged by the ever changing landscape of general practice, and changes in Medicine itself. Being involved in the training of medical students and GP registrars keeps me on my toes and engaged.
I believe strongly in close relationships with our patients to guide them to good health and best management for long term illness. With my special interests in Musculoskeletal and injury management, chronic disease, aged and pallative care, I am kept continually busy.
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Dr Katrina Marshall
Dr Katrina Marshall graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2004 and completed her general practice training in 2010. Originally from Tasmania – she relocated to Cairns in early 2011 from Alice Springs and has been a practice partner at Barrier Reef Medical Centre since 2016. Dr Marshall has also completed a diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a diploma in Child Health. Her special areas of interest are Women’s Health (including shared antenatal care), Sexual Health, Child and Adolescent Health and Ward Health.
Dr Marshall is married with two young sons. Appointments are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
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Dr Carl Vogler
Carl Vogler graduated from the University of Queensland in 2005 and immediately moved to what he says is the best part of Australia, Far North Queensland! He started his training at Cairns Base Hospital in 2006 and worked as a GP Registrar at the Barrier Reef Medical Centre in 2008, but left to complete his training in Cooktown. He returned after 3.5 years of work in general practice, SMO at Cooktown Hospital dealing with acute emergencies, in-patient management and Indigenous healthcare.
He has a certificate in Family Planning, Sexual Health, a special interest in travel and aviation medicine, chronic diseases, diabetes management and Indigenous health. He is currently studying a Masters in Forensic Medicine through Monash University. He has been one of the practice partners since 2016.
Carl is married with five young children and one senile beagle. The family has traveled extensively (including travel to developing countries) and he’s happy to give helpful advice for families travelling with young children.
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Dr Debbie Richards
Dr Debbie Richards graduated from London University in 1988 and completed general practice fellowship in 1995. Dr Richards is married with three young daughters and works part time. With a diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr Richards has an ongoing interest in women’s health including shared obstetric care and paediatrics.
Appointments are available Monday afternoon, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
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Dr Fiona Delaney
Dr Fiona Delaney joined Barrier Reef Medical as a Registrar in 1996 and has continued to enjoy being part of this wonderful practice. Her areas of interest are Women’s health, Antenatal care, Mirena/Implanon provider and travel medicine. She is married to Dr Jason Delaney of Mt Sheridan Medical Practice and has three children.
Appointments are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
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Dr Arden Dearden
Arden joined Barrier Reef Medical Centre in May 2019 after 31 years at Earlville General Practice.
Arden has an interest in Family Practice, Men’s Health, Tropical & Travel Medicine and HIV Medicine. He performs minor surgery for Skin Lesions & Vasectomies.
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Dr Bridget Hartslief
Dr Bridget Hartslief will be returning to Barrier Reef Medical Centre in 2023. She will be available for appointments from Monday 23/1/2023.
Graduated in 1997 at the University of the Free State, South Africa. Spent a year in Liverpool, UK in 2000 working as a Residential Medical Officer in a Private Hospital. Completed an Anaesthetic Diploma in 2000 in South Africa. After completion of the diploma, I started working in a Milatary Hospital as a Senior Medcial officer for four years rotating in various departments. Spent two years as a private GP Anaethetist before emigrating to Cairns in December 2011. While settling into Cairns, I had the honour of teaching the fourth year medical students at JCU from 2012-2019. In 2020 I returned to practice and spent two years at Cairns Base Hospital.
I am married and have a son and daughter who is currently in high school. Bilingual and speak English as well as Afrikaans. Happy to consult any patients speaking Afrikaans.
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Dr Natasha Crees
Dr Natasha Crees is currently away on maternity leave.
A Far North Queensland local, Dr Natasha Crees has lived and worked her entire life in North Queensland. She graduated from James Cook University in 2010 and completed her general practice training in 2015. She has a diploma in child health and a certificate in family planning.
Natasha has a special interest in womens health (including implanon and mirena insertions) and paediatrics.
When not at work, Natasha enjoys travelling and spending time with her family. -
Dr Carmon Guy
Dr Carmon Guy graduated from James Cook University in 2007 and has been living and working in Far North Queensland ever since. She completed her Advanced Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Cairns Hospital before moving to Cooktown in 2012 where she completed her General Practice Training. She has been working as a Senior Medical Officer at Cooktown Hospital providing a range of services including emergency and inpatient care, obstetric and gynaecology services and general practice clinics in Cooktown, Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal. Carmon enjoys all aspects of General Practice but has a special interest in rural and remote health, antenatal and postnatal care, Women’s Health and Indigenous Health. She holds a Diploma of Child Health and a National Certificate in Sexual and Reproductive Health. She enjoys the procedural aspects of general practice including skin cancer surgery as well as Mirena and Implanon insertion.
Carmon is a mother of two energetic girls and she enjoys adventurous outings with her family. Some of her favourite activities are bush walking, water-skiing, bike riding and camping.
She is very excited to be joining the team at Barrier Reef Medical Centre.
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Dr William Scholz
Dr Will Scholz graduated from Sydney University in 2014. He then worked in Sydney for 3 years, training in emergency medicine, before working in emergency departments across rural NSW until 2021.
He then trained in general practice, and completed his fellowship at the start of 2023.
He has moved to Cairns with his partner and toddler, and is looking forward to treating a large variety of patients at Barrier Reef Medical Centre.
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Dr Judy Wu
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OUR NURSES
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Sarah Jane Middleton
Qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1991 in the UK. I have enjoyed an extensive career in Paediatrics and Medical Nursing. I Joined Barrier Reef Medical Centre in 2017 and I’m passionate about nursing in General Practice, Valuing Patient-centered care. I continue to love life living here in Cairns with my husband and Pussycats.
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