Great Southern Specialist Centre

26/02/2026

Supporting our local Surf Club!

Great Southern Specialist Centre has proudly supported the Albany Surf Life Saving Club’s volunteer patrol service as a divisional sponsor since 2019.

The Albany Surf Life Saving Club plays an important role locally, particularly through its volunteer patrol service and wider club operations, made possible by a strong volunteer commitment.

What often goes unseen is the significant volunteer time that goes into every part of the club’s operations...from patrols, education and training to events, governance and behind-the-scenes work.

As the patrol season wraps up for another year, we wanted to share a short snippet from a recent visit with some of our GSSC team. The club looks great, and it’s clear how much leadership and volunteer effort goes into running a community organisation of this scale year after year.

Well done to everyone involved in another great season.

22/02/2026

Well done and congratulations to Dr Tom Bowles to be recognised for his dedication to providing specialist care in our community and for his time and commitment to educating our future clinicians.

As our Clinical Director of Surgery, the multi-talented Dr Tom Bowles provides statewide leadership in surgical governance, recruitment and service development across country WA.

On top of establishing the Great Southern as a leading training hub for up-and-coming rural surgeons, he’s served the region as a general surgeon for nearly two decades.

Thanks to his outstanding work, Dr Bowles is a finalist in the 2026 Rural Health Excellence Awards 🎉

Read more: bit.ly/46MtTvU

02/02/2026

Specialist care for Albany and the Great Southern

The Great Southern Specialist Centre (GSSC) supports both resident specialists living in Albany and regular visiting specialists to deliver a wide range of specialist medical services locally, so people in our region don’t always need to travel for specialist care.

Appointment types, including face-to-face and telehealth, are determined by individual specialists and may include one or both depending on the service available

💡 Specialty areas provided through GSSC include:

• Surgery (General & Bariatric)
• Ophthalmology
• Orthopaedics
• Urology
• Psychiatry
• Vascular
• Plastics
• Endocrinology
• Nephrology
• Radiation oncology
• Specialist Podiatry
• Dental Surgery
• Allied & supporting specialist services
… and more (subject to specialist schedules).

Our two buildings each play a role in serving you:

🏢 GSSC West – The original specialist centre opened in 2018, established to meet regional demand for local specialist consultations.

🏥 GSSC East – The expanded facility opened in 2022 to grow capacity, add more consulting and treatment spaces (including dedicated ophthalmology and telehealth rooms) and support current and future services as demand grows.

👉 To see full specialist lists and general appointment information, visit:

The Great Southern Specialist Centre connects you with medical specialists in surgery, psychology, medicine and associated services.

16/12/2025

🎄 Christmas Closure – Great Southern Specialist Centre 🎄

As the year comes to a close, the team at GSSC would like to thank our patients and community for your continued support throughout the year.

Please note that both our East and West buildings will close at 4:00pm on Tuesday, 23 December, and we will reopen on Monday, 5 January, resuming normal business hours.

During this time, our phones and emails will not be monitored. If you require medical assistance while we are closed, please contact your GP or attend your nearest Emergency Department.

We wish you all a safe and enjoyable festive season and look forward to seeing you in the New Year...be good, and don’t eat too much candy cane like our naughty elf!

09/12/2025

WE ARE HIRING - Ophthalmic Assessor – Join Our Team!
📍 Location: Great Southern Specialist Centre, East Building
🕒 Hours: Part Time, 7.45am – 1630hrs, Wed-Friday.
💼 Contract: Permanent

We’re looking for a proactive Ophthalmic Assessor to join our eye care team. You’ll carry out pre-assessment tests and diagnostic imaging to support our clinicians and provide an excellent patient experience – following our clinical protocols. You’ll be the first point of clinical contact for many patients, ensuring they feel informed, comfortable, and cared for.

What You’ll Do
🔹 Perform ophthalmic assessments including visual acuity, OCT scans, fundus photography, IOP checks, and visual fields
🔹 Ensure all findings are recorded clearly in electronic medical records
🔹 Operate and maintain diagnostic equipment safely
🔹 Work closely with clinicians, following their specific clinical protocols, to ensure smooth patient flow
🔹 Deliver excellent patient care and communicate procedures with clarity and empathy
🔹 Make patient Appointments

What We’re Looking For
✔ Experience in an ophthalmic, healthcare, or optical role (e.g., pre-screener, optical assistant, ophthalmic technician)
✔ Strong understanding of basic eye conditions and diagnostic tests
✔ Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
✔ Confidence using clinical equipment and IT systems
✔ A reliable team player who follows clinical guidelines with great attention to detail

What We Offer
⭐ Competitive salary and benefits
⭐ Training and development opportunities
⭐ Supportive, friendly clinical environment

👉 Any queries or to request Job Description please call 68348829 . Apply now with your CV and cover letter to Latrice Porter, Practice Manager, latrice@gsspecialistcentre.com

10/11/2025

DR ELAYNE OOI
Swan Urology

Dr Elayne Ooi commenced her visiting service to Albany back in 2020 and has been consulting monthly at Great Southern Specialist Centre.

She consults both public and private patients in Albany. If a procedure is required patients may request to join the public waitlist at Albany Health Campus, or alternatively Dr Ooi offers privately insured surgery at SJOG Subiaco and Hollywood Private Hospital in Perth

Elayne grew up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and was awarded a scholarship to study medicine in the University of Adelaide from 1994-1999. Her love for working with her hands and in a team led her to pursue a surgical career. She chose urology as her specialty because of the broad range of conditions and operations, research, technology and flexibility. After completing a robotic surgery fellowship in 2012, she was appointed consultant at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital and started private practice at Swan Urology.

Special Interests: Procedures
Prostate cancer: Transperineal biopsy, Robotic prostatectomy, SpaceOar hydrogel implant, High dose rate brachytherapy
Benign prostate enlargement (BPH): Green light laser prostatectomy, Rezum water v***r therapy, transurethral prostate resection (TURP)
Male incontinence: Urethral sling, Artificial urinary sphincter
Kidney stones: Supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), Ureteroscopy and lasertripsy
Overactive bladder (OAB): Botulinium toxin injection, percutaneous nerve stimulation (PTNS), sacral neuromodulation (SNM)
Bladder cancer: Transurethral bladder tumour resection (TURBT), Intravesical therapies, Surveillance cystoscopies
Fertility: Vasectomy, Microsurgical vasectomy reversal

For all referrals, appointments and queries:
Swan Urology
Ph: 08 6555 6558 Fax: 08 6555 6578
Email: reception@swanurology.com Website: www.swanurology.com

31/10/2025

DR MATTHEW HENDERSON
General and Bariatric Surgeon

Dr Matt Henderson has been providing bariatric and general surgery service to Albany and the surrounds since 2019. He consults from Great Southern Specialist Centre every month and takes patients with private health insurance to Perth for their procedures.

Matt was born and grew up in South Africa. His parents were pharmacists, so he had early exposure to hospitals. He studied Medicine in Johannesburg at WITS University, training at Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. He has worked in the UK before moving to New Zealand where he completed his General Surgery Training with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons through hospitals all over the North Island, including the rural areas. He moved to Perth in 2013 to complete a two-year Fellowship in Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery at Sir Charles Gairdner and Fremantle Hospitals.

To view his credentials and experience please visit our GSSC website on www.gsspecialistcentre.com

Special Interests
• Bariatric Surgery: Sleeve Gastrectomy, Gastric Bypass, Gastric Band Removal
• Anti-Reflux/Hiatus Hernia Repair Surgery
• Gallbladder Surgery
• Abdominal Wall Hernia Repairs including complex reconstructions
• Upper GI Malignancy Surgery

Consulting locations:
Great Southern Specialist Centre, 55 Cockburn Road, Albany
New Me Surgery, Booragoon
Fremantle Hospital
SJOG Murdoch Hospital

Operating Locations:
Fiona Stanley Hospital, Fremantle Hospital. And SJOG Murdoch
* Dr Henderson does not operate in Albany but covers Dr Bowles public scope list monthly *

For all referrals, appointments and queries:
Ph: 08 6333 0370 Fax: 08 8490 55550
Email: admin@newme.com.au Website: www.newme.com.au

New Me provides a specialised surgical weight loss treatment service for people who struggle with overweight and obesity-related illnesses.

22/10/2025

DR MICHAEL LEDGER
Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr Michael Ledger has been providing a comprehensive orthopaedic knee and shoulder service to Albany and the surrounds since 2014. He consults from Great Southern Specialist Centre every 2 months.

With a focus on the relationships between form of movement, function and performance, Michael manages each case with a considered, and personal approach.

He has a team of physiotherapists and rehabilitation specialists whose priority is the best outcome for each patient, whether operative or nonoperative in the approach.

Surgically, Michael utilises the newest techniques including robotic knee surgery and patient specific instrumentation. Michael’s administrative team, who are based in Perth, will facilitate all investigations, urgent opinions and offer telehealth appointments where necessary. They are readily available to Albany patients to ensure local and Perth-based care is carried out with ease and minimal disruption.

To view his credentials and experience please visit our GSSC website on www.gsspecialistcentre.com

Special Interests
• Knee Arthroplasty
• Shoulder Arthroplasty
• Knee & Shoulder Sporting Injuries

Consulting locations:
Great Southern Specialist Centre, 55 Cockburn Road, Albany
Hollywood Orthopaedic Group
Midlands Orthopaedics
Joondalup Health Campus – Specialist Medical Centre WEst
Operating Locations:
Joondalup Private Hospital, SJOG Mt Lawley, Hollywood Private Nedlands.
** Dr Ledger does not operate in Albany

For all referrals, appointments and queries:
Telephone: (08) 9389 3811
Email: ledgeradmin@hogwa.com.au

10/10/2025

DR MEG HENZE
Endocrinologist

Visit https://gsspecialistcentre.com/ to view Dr Meg Henze profile

Dr Henze has been conducting regular Endocrinology clinics in Albany since 2018, having worked at the Southern Regional Medical Group as a Junior Doctor in 2011.

Special Interests:
Dr Henze is interested in all aspects of Adult Endocrinology and Diabetes.

Private Consulting locations:
Great Southern Specialist Centre, 55 Cockburn Road, Albany
Geraldton Podiatry, Geraldton

For all referrals, appointments and queries:
Telephone: (08) 94688293
Fax: (08)61023662
Email: info@henze.com.au

01/10/2025

DR ADAM GAJDATSY
Ophthalmologist

Previously living in Perth and working from Lions Eye Institute, Dr Adam Gajdasty now resides in Albany and only works/consults from Great Southern Specialist Centre - three (3) weeks out of every month.

To view his credentials and experience please visit our GSSC website on www.gsspecialistcentre.com

Dr Gajdatsy accepts referrals to see public, DVA and private patients at Great Southern Specialist Centre. Patients may request to join the public waitlist, or he offers prompt privately insured surgery at Albany Day hospital.

Special Interests
•Cataracts
•Respected general ocular surgeon, including Pterygium surgery
•High Level expertise in all lid surgery
•Local anaesthetic lid procedures
•Sub-specialised trained in ocular plastics – eg blepharoplasty, brow lift

Consulting locations:
Great Southern Specialist Centre, 55 Cockburn Road, Albany

Operating Locations:
Albany Health Campus (public), Albany Day Hospital (private)

For all referrals, appointments and queries contact GSSC Admin:
Telephone: (08) 98413500
Email: admin@gsspecialistcentre.com

23/09/2025

DR MARK HANIKERI
Plastic Surgeon

Dr Mark Hanikeri has been visiting, consulting and operating in Albany since 2006 and has built a strong bond with the community.
To view all his credentials and experience please visit his website www.markhanikeri.com

Dr Hanikeri accepts referrals to see public, DVA and private patients at Great Southern Specialist Centre. Patients may request to join the public waitlist, or he offers prompt privately insured surgery in Albany and Perth – Locations below.

Special Interests
Breast aesthetic surgery
* Augmentation (can be done locally at Albany Private Day Hospital)
* Reduction
* Lift and;
* Reconstructive Surgery
* Abdominoplasty and Body Contouring Surgery

Consulting locations:
Great Southern Specialist Centre, 55 Cockburn Road, Albany
Subiaco - Suite 215, 25 McCourt Street, Subiaco
Murdoch - Suite 51, Wexford Medical Centre, 3 Barry Marshall Parade, Murdoch

Operating Locations:
Albany Health Campus (public), Albany Day Hospital, St John of God Subiaco, West Leederville Private and Bethesda Hospital (private)

For all referrals, appointments and queries:
Telephone: (08) 9380 0311
Email: cskewes@plasticsurgerycentre.com.au
Website: www.markhanikeri.com

18/09/2025

A flashback to the 2025 Albany Surf Craft Challenge

Held in June, this iconic event run by Albany Surf Life Saving Club brought together surf lifesaving athletes, ski paddlers, volunteers, and the wider community for a big day on the water (and the beach), with strong competition, great community spirit, and picture-perfect Albany conditions.

As the major sponsor of Albany SLSC’s volunteer lifesaving and patrol services, we’re proud to support such a vital part of our community and events like this that celebrate it.

At GSSC, we believe in a connected, active community and we’re proud to stand behind the volunteers who make that possible.

Well done to ASLSC for delivering yet another fantastic event 👏

Check this out!