Our Story
South Island Respiratory and Sleep was created to bring high-quality, specialist-led respiratory and sleep care to communities across Te Waipounamu.
We believe in accessible care, modern diagnostics, and treatment plans that genuinely improve people's lives.
Our Physicians
Dr Teurai Chikura
MBChB, FRACP
Respiratory and Sleep PhysicianTeurai is a Respiratory physician with a special subspecialty interest in sleep. After moving from Zimbabwe in 2007, Teurai undertook Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) accredited training in Respiratory and Sleep medicine at Dunedin and Christchurch Hospitals. He was awarded RACP fellowship in 2015. He has been a Respiratory physician at Christchurch Hospital since January 2016 and joined the South Island Respiratory and Sleep team in April 2017. He has broad experience in diagnosing and managing sleep disorders in both public and private healthcare settings. Teurai currently serves as a committee member on the executive team of the New Zealand branch of the Australasian Sleep Association (ASA).
Dr Mike Epton
PhD, FRACP, MRCP (UK), BM BS, B. Med Sci (Hons)
Respiratory and Sleep PhysicianMike undertook his basic medical training in Nottingham, UK, trained as a Respiratory Physician in Christchurch and subsequently completed a PhD in Perth, Western Australia. He is Director of the Canterbury Respiratory Research Group and is Adjunct Professor in the School of Earth and Environment, Faculty of Science at the University of Canterbury.
Dr Michael Hlavac
MBChB, FRACP, PhD
Respiratory and Sleep PhysicianMichael completed advanced training in Respiratory Medicine at Christchurch Hospital in 2003 before traveling to Australia to gain experience in Sleep Medicine. He spent 3 years at the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health in South Australia where he completed FRACP Level 2 sleep training and completed a PhD in the field of sleep medicine. He has previously served as the President of the New Zealand Branch of the Australasian Sleep Association. Michael is currently Clinical Director of Respiratory and Sleep Services at Christchurch Hospital.
Dr Kate Jones
BMedSci (Hons), BMBS, MRCP, FRACP
Sleep and Respiratory PhysicianKate is a respiratory physician with a special interest in both respiratory and non-respiratory sleep disorders and non-invasive ventilation. She graduated from the University of Nottingham in the UK and completed her respiratory training in Dunedin and Christchurch.
Kate worked as a Sleep Medicine specialist at Christchurch Hospital before becoming lead clinician in Sleep Medicine in York, UK. She returned to Christchurch with her family and has a wide range of clinical interests including sleep apnoea, restless legs syndrome, parasomnias, and insomnia. She is a trained CBTi practitioner and has completed the SCOPE certification in obesity management.
Dr Richard Laing
MBChB, FRACP
Respiratory and Sleep PhysicianRichard completed Respiratory Medicine training at Christchurch Hospital before gaining further experience in Sleep and Respiratory Medicine in Auckland and Toronto. His clinical interests include, supporting wellbeing, sleep-disordered breathing and integrated models of care for both respiratory and sleep medicine.
Richard brings a balanced, patient-centred approach to assessment and management, with a focus on clear communication and evidence-based treatment.
Our Clinical Physiologists
Emma Besley
PGDipMed Tech CSS
Sleep PhysiologistEmma trained in Christchurch before working as a Sleep Physiologist in Adelaide, London, Birmingham, and Manchester. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Technology (Sleep) and a Master of Public Health.
Brooke Carroll
BExPhys, Post Cert MedSci
Clinical PhysiologistBrooke has a Bachelor of Exercise Physiology and a Post Graduate Certificate in Medical Science (specialising in Respiratory Physiology). Brooke has worked in cardiac, respiratory and sleep physiology for more than 16 years in Australia, the UK and NZ.
Yvonne Epton
Grad Dip Resp Sci
Sleep PhysiologistYvonne trained as a Respiratory Physiologist in Christchurch before completing full Sleep Technologist training in Perth. She worked as Charge Sleep Technologist at the St John of God Respiratory and Sleep Centre, gaining extensive experience in sleep diagnostics and CPAP therapy.
Fiona McClymont
BSc. CRFS
Respiratory PhysiologistFiona has a Bachelor of Science and has worked in respiratory physiology for over 20 years, around both New Zealand and the UK.
Our Administration Team
Melissa, Sue, Viv, Danielle
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you're tired, breathless, or simply unsure what's going on, we're here to help you move forward.
Please note that SIRS is contributing to, and accessing healthcare information from HealthOne
What is HealthOne?
HealthOne is a South Island based secure electronic record that allows registered healthcare providers directly involved in your healthcare, to quickly access information such as your test results, allergies, medications, GP summaries and hospital information. HealthOne adheres to the principles of the Privacy Act 2020 as well as the Rules set out in the Health Information Privacy Code 2020. Access is only possible via an approved highly secure healthcare information network which is regularly audited and tested. Privacy auditing is used to check that only those directly involved in your care are accessing your information. To find out more about HealthOne please visit healthone.org.nz. Please note that you are entitled to restrict the sharing of your healthcare records by contacting 0508 837 872 or emailing HealthOne.privacy@pegasus.health.nz