Dr Barrett completed his medical training at the University of Newcastle following undergraduate studies in economics, and continued his prevocational training within Hunter New England Health. Throughout his dermatology training Dr Barrett worked at the Skin and Cancer Foundation, Westmead Children’s Hospital, and the Royal Newcastle Centre. He has completed rural rotations throughout NSW including Lismore, Port Macquarie, Walgett, Dubbo, Orange and with the Aboriginal Medical Service.

Dr Barrett is a qualified Mohs Micrographic Surgeon, offering consultations at Frontier Dermatology and Mohs surgical procedures at Ramsay Surgical Centre Charlestown.

Dr Barrett manages all conditions involving the skin, hair and nails including eczema, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, hyperhidrosis, acne, and paediatric dermatology. 

Dr Scott Cairns is a Plastic Surgeon registered with the Royal Australian College of Surgeons. He qualified as a specialist in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the United Kingdom in 2014 and remains a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, making him Newcastle’s only double fellowed Plastic Surgeon. He undertook an MD research degree in Wound Healing during his training and continues to present his work internationally. He has an interest in reconstructive surgery, undertaking Fellowships for microsurgery, hand surgery and cosmetic surgery.

He is committed to his ongoing research, publications in scientific journals, and education of the next generation of specialists as a conjoint lecturer at the University of Newcastle.

In 2016, He moved to Newcastle with his family to begin work at the John Hunter Hospital. He continues to work at the John Hunter Hospital, The Calvary Mater Hospital and Belmont Hospital as a Plastic Surgeon. He currently regularly performs reconstructive surgery in the public system, including breast surgery, head and neck surgery, skin cancer surgery and genito-urinary reconstruction.

Dr Cairns operates regularly at Warners Bay Private Hospital and participates in the on-call hand surgical roster in support of the ED at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital. Dr Cairns’ wife works as a GP locally and his son attends school in Newcastle. They enjoy all that Newcastle has to offer as a family and feel very fortunate to be able to live and work here.

Dr Cairns says,’ I feel that plastic surgery is a course of treatment that we go through together rather than a ‘one and done’ procedure. You are not paying for a dispassionate technician, but instead consulting with a specialist to make decisions with you, and to travel alongside you to achieve your goal. Many conditions require more than one operation, such as after weight loss, following cancer treatment, or for gender issues and my philosophy and medical practice is one of continued, collaborative, empathetic care.’

After graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 2003, Louise completed her general surgical training in Brisbane. She undertook
colorectal CSSANZ fellowships in Newcastle and Christchurch, plus an additional fellowship year training in advanced colorectal cancer at Basingstoke in the UK. She also has a Masters in Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Louise performs many types of colorectal surgery including minimally invasive surgery for inflammatory bowel disease, bowel cancer and diverticulitis, as well as hernia surgery. She is also an experienced endoscopist with advanced skills in gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and haemorrhoid treatment.

Louise is passionate about improving healthcare systems and has authored publications on open access endoscopy, bowel cancer management and enhanced recovery after surgery.

Louise works at a number of public and private hospitals locally.

Dr Galal is a consultant and a conjoint senior lecturer in Obstetrics & Gynaecology who is passionate about providing the highest level of care to his patients.

He believes that knowledge, experience and dedication to work positively influence patient care and outcomes at all times.

Dr Galal has vast experience in all aspects of obstetrics and gynaecology in both Australia and the UK. He obtained the fellowship of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in Australia and New Zealand as well as in the UK.

He obtained PhD and Master’s Degree (MSc) in his speciality and the joint RCOG/RCR Diploma in advanced obstetric ultrasound from London.

Dr Galal worked as a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at John Hunter Hospital and a conjoint senior lecturer at the University of Newcastle for many years.

While at the University of Newcastle he had a significant role in the teaching of medical students and training of doctors and regularly participated in GP teaching.

Dr Galal is an instructor in a number of training courses for management of obstetric emergencies and has several publications in medical books and journals.

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 Gupta qualified from the University of Liverpool, UK in 2001 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery. He worked as a General Dental Practitioner around the North East of England until 2004, undertaking further training in orthodontics, oral surgery and dental sedation. He accepted a post as a Senior House Officer in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham.

Dr Gupta then accepted a job at Westmead Hospital, Sydney Australia. Subsequently he then completed a Bachelor of Medicine at the University of Newcastle in 2009. He undertook medical, emergency, critical care and surgical rotations within the Hunter junior medical officer network.

He successfully completed his surgical training in 2016 within the NSW and ACT network working in Sydney and Canberra hospitals. He then accepted a Fellowship position back at Queens Medical centre in Nottingham. He furthered his skills in Temporomandibular Joint Surgery and surgical correction of sleep apnoea and complex facial deformity including cleft and distraction osteogenesis.

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 Costa Karihaloo grew up in Newcastle and completed medical training at Sydney University and surgical training based in the Hunter region.

Dr Karihaloo returned to practice in Newcastle having completed the Ramsay Fellowship in advanced laparoscopic surgery on the Gold Coast. He has appointments in the private and public sectors and is a former Director of General Surgery at the John Hunter Hospital. He is the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital and has been performing bariatric surgery for fifteen years.

Dr Karihaloo performed the first laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in the Hunter region in 2008 and has successfully performed over 1000 cases since then. He performed the first laparoscopic gastric bypass in the region in 2009, the first laparoscopic mini-gastric bypass in 2013 and the first laparoscopic post pyloric bypass in 2018. He has been a regular contributor at national and international meetings and has a particular interest in body composition post bariatric surgery as well as adjuvant medical therapies post weight loss surgery.

Dr Karihaloo is committed to lifelong follow up of bariatric surgical patients and ongoing research and quality improvement to optimise patient outcomes. Dr Karihaloo operates at Belmont and John Hunter Hospital and at Lake Macquarie Private Hospital and Warners Bay Private Hospital.

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 Mistry is a fully qualified Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience in both Australia and New Zealand. He is Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS).

Dr Mistry graduated from the University of Auckland in Medicine in 2001. He completed 10 years of specialist plastic surgical training in 2012. He has undertaken fellowships in aesthetic surgery, burn surgery, hand and micro surgery.

Dr Mistry moved with his family to Newcastle in early 2015 to focus on hand surgery at the John Hunter Hospital. He then established his own plastic surgical practice.

Dr Mistry believes in delivering the highest quality of care for his patients. His mix of warmth, humour and honesty makes his patients feel at ease. Dr Mistry takes the time to ensure his patients are well informed and understand their condition and planned treatment.