Tom is a Staff Specialist Gastroenterologist at John Hunter Hospital where he leads the IBD service, intestinal ultrasound service, paediatric inflammatory bowel disease transition clinic, and Faecal Microbiota Transplant service program. He remains actively involved in research and has published multiple papers in international peer reviewed journals. He is also active in multinational and local clinical trials. Tom is passionate about medical education and holds clinical lecturer positions at the University of Newcastle and University of Adelaide.  

Tom aims to deliver a high standard of patient focused care in a respectful, professional, collaborative and approachable manner. Tom lives in Newcastle with his GP wife and two daughters and enjoys being the household chef, family adventures in the Hunter and surfing at Bar Beach and Catho.  

Dr Halland, while born in Norway, has a longstanding connection with Newcastle. He arrived here in 2000 to study medicine and ended up staying 13 years before his career shifted to Mayo Clinic in the USA. There, he underwent two year-long subspecialty fellowships in esophageal and motility, completed a PhD and worked as a specialist for number of years before returning to Newcastle in 2022. 

Dr Halland has vast experience with both endoscopic and physiological assessment of luminal gut disorders. In addition to being a full-time clinician, Dr Halland is a recognised educator and researcher.

Dr James Lavender is a Gastroenterologist with advanced training in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). He completed an IBD fellowship and is undertaking a Master of Philosophy focused on optimising care for patients with complex IBD. He has expertise in intestinal ultrasound as a point-of-care tool to assess disease activity and guide management. Dr Lavender provides comprehensive general gastroenterology care including gastroscopy, colonoscopy and balloon enteroscopy, while maintaining a strong commitment to evidence-based, patient-centred practice. He is actively involved in research, teaching, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Dr Josh McCarthy is a specialist gastroenterologist and hepatologist. 

After earning his medical degree at the University of Newcastle in 2011, Josh has completed advanced training in gastroenterology across a various institutions in Port Macquarie, Lismore, Sydney, and Newcastle, refining his skills in complex clinical environments. 

As a former endoscopy fellow at John Hunter Hospital, Josh focussed on advanced endoscopic techniques, enhancing his ability to deliver comprehensive care in the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal and liver conditions. He continues to serve as a Staff Specialist Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at John Hunter Hospital, maintaining an active role in a busy tertiary healthcare setting and contributes to medical education.

Josh’s clinical interests include colorectal cancer screening, advanced polyp resection techniques, quality improvement in endoscopy, and the management of inflammatory bowel disease.

Having grown up in the Port Macquarie region, Josh is passionate about providing high-quality, patient-centred care to the Mid North Coast community. Josh provides diagnostic and therapeutic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy at Port Macquarie Private Hospital and Ramsay Surgical Centre Charlestown. 

Newcastle rooms: 

Hunter Gastroenterology
81 Chatham Street
Broadmeadow NSW 2291
Phone: 02 4942 2111
Email: contact@hgut.net.au

Website: Gastroenterologists Newcastle - Hepatologists - Hunter Gastroenterology

Dr Kate Napthali is a graduate of the University of Sydney. Kate undertook her training in the NT and finally at the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital. Kate moved to Newcastle in 2011 and is a Staff Specialist in General Medicine and Gastroenterology at the Calvary Mater Newcastle. She has played a key role in ongoing clinical trials and research through her involvement with the Department of Gastroenterology at John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle.
Dr Napthali has been involved in youth exchange programs and aid work in Indonesia. Furthermore, she is fluent in both Malay and Indonesian.

Dr Napthali enjoys being involved in medical education and is happy to contribute to the ongoing education of General Practitioners. Some suggested topics are:
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease – current treatments and diagnosis
• Coeliac Disease and Refractory Coeliac Disease
• IBS
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) and Motility Disorders
• Bowel Cancer Screening
• Capsule Endoscopy

Dr Napthali is happy to offer the ease of Open Access Endoscopy for GP’s and their patients in Newcastle and surrounds. This is a practical and efficient means by which your patients can have the GI investigations completed.
Low anaesthetic risk patients are welcome to be booked directly onto a theatre list at Lake Macquarie Private for timely investigations without the burden of an appointment in rooms (which can unnecessarily delay colonoscopy).
If you would like copies of the Open Access Endoscopy Referral Form please contact Dr Napthali’s rooms.

Dr Dan Oliver is a Staff Specialist Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist at Calvary Mater Newcastle, with active roles in clinical research, medical education and mentoring.

His interests include inflammatory bowel disease, gastrointestinal cancer screening, liver disease, and disorders of gut-brain interaction.

With extensive experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, Dr Oliver is dedicated to providing compassionate care, ensuring patients feel understood, supported and valued throughout their healthcare journey. 

Dr Oliver welcomes referrals at his consulting rooms located at Advance Care Specialist Centre, Cardiff.

Dr Michael Potter is pleased to be able to offer a wide range of gastroenterological services including open access endoscopy at Beechnut Medical Rooms. His interest and experience spans the breadth of gastroenterological practice, with a focus on coeliac disease, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease and liver cancer. He is approachable, and committed to delivering empathic and patient-centred care.

Dr Potter completed his medical training at the University of Sydney where he graduated with honours, and his physician training in Gastroenterology & Hepatology at the John Hunter and Calvary Mater Hospitals in Newcastle. He was awarded a PhD from the University of Newcastle for his work in one of Australia’s leading gastrointestinal laboratories, with a thesis examining the role of diet in functional and inflammatory bowel diseases. He is actively involved in medical research, illustrated by his ongoing role as a chief investigator on several local and national research grants.

He works as a staff specialist Gastroenterologist at John Hunter Hospital, and as a conjoint lecturer in the Faculty of Health & Medicine at the University of Newcastle, where he enjoys teaching medical students and junior doctors.