
Conjoint Associate Professor Stephen Oakley
Conjoint Associate Professor
School of Medicine and Public Health
- Email:stephen.oakley@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:0249 223 500
Career Summary
Biography
Dr Oakley grew up in the Hunter Valley and Mid-North Coast of New South Wales. Following his graduation from UNSW medical school he completed physician training admitted to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians as a consultant rheumatologist in 1999. He then completed his doctoral thesis evaluating arthroscopic, biomechanical and histological assessments of articular cartilage in an animal model of osteoarthritis (UNSW).
From 2004 he worked as a Consultant Rheumatologist at Guy’s & St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust in London with an Honorary Senior Lectureship at Kings College London. He established an arthroscopic research unit performing targeted synovial biopsies in an interventional MRI scanner and became involved in cardiovascular research evaluating the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
In 2008 he took up a staff specialist position in the Department of Rheumatology at the John Hunter Hospital. He has continued research into the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatic diseases. He is an active member of the Australian Rheumatology Association and John Hunter / Royal Newcastle Hospitals Medical Staff Council.
Qualifications
- PhD (Medicine), University of New South Wales
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, University of New South Wales
- Graduate Diploma in Clinical Epidemiology, University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Rheumatology
Professional Experience
Academic appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
1/9/2004 - 1/4/2008 | Honorary Senior Lecturer | Kings College, University of London, UK United Kingdom |
1/5/2009 - |
Conjoint Associate Professor Research and teaching in the field of Rheumatology. |
University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health Australia |
Membership
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
1/1/1999 - | Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians | Royal Australasian College of Physicians |
1/1/1999 - | Australian Rheumatology Association - Member | Australian Rheumatology Association Australia |
20/5/2004 - | American College of Rheumatology - International Member | American College of Rheumatology United States |
Professional appointment
Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
---|---|---|
1/9/2004 - 1/4/2008 | Consultant Rheumatologist | Guy's & St Thomas's NHS Foundation Trust National Health Service, United Kingdom Australia |
1/5/2008 - | Staff Specialist Rheumatologist | Hunter New England Local Health District Rheumatology Department, Division of Medicine |
Awards
Prize
Year | Award |
---|---|
2002 |
ARA - Young Investigator of the Year Australian Rheumatology Association |
1998 |
Best Clinical Teacher in the Category of Registrar / Resident St George Clinical School - UNSW |
Scholarship
Year | Award |
---|---|
2000 |
NSW Branches Scholarship Arthritis Australia |
1999 |
NSW Branches Scholarship Arthritis Australia |
1998 |
Frank Spurway Scholarship Arthritis Australia |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (20 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
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2019 |
Jo SJ, Foley P, Oakley SP, Zhang J, Zheng M, Shin K, et al., 'Initial assessment of the early arthritis for psoriatic patients diagnostic questionnaire in dermatology clinics in Australia, Korea and China', International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, 22 1512-1520 (2019) [C1] © 2019 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd Objectives: To conduct initial assessment of the early arthritis for psoriat... [more] © 2019 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd Objectives: To conduct initial assessment of the early arthritis for psoriatic patients (EARP) questionnaire for Australian, Korean and Chinese populations using translated and linguistically validated versions. To measure the proportion of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) among patients with psoriasis who attended dermatology clinics. Methods: Questionnaires were translated and culturally validated into Australian English, Korean and Chinese. A multicenter, observational, descriptive estimate of the proportion of patients with PsA among patients with psoriasis attending dermatology clinics in Australia, Korea and China was conducted. Initial assessments included evaluations of floor and ceiling effects, internal consistency (using Cronbach's alpha), test-retest reliability (using intraclass coefficient), and correlations between EARP score and rheumatology findings. If the initial EARP score was =3, patients were assessed by a rheumatologist for PsA within 3¿months of their retest questionnaire. Results: Two hundred and fifty patients participated. Translated EARP questionnaires showed satisfactory internal consistency and test-retest reliability. A potential floor effect was observed for the Chinese and Korean versions. Cronbach's alpha was 0.885 (Australian), 0.776 (Korean) and 0.789 (Chinese), indicating acceptable internal consistency. Intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.89 (Australian), 0.86 (Korean) and 0.87 (Chinese), indicating acceptable test-retest reliability. EARP summary scores had weak to moderate linear correlation with the relevant PsA assessments. Overall, 32 (12.8%) patients were diagnosed with PsA based on Classification for Psoriatic Arthritis (CASPAR) score. Conclusion: The Australian, Korean, and Chinese versions of the EARP questionnaire are suitable for the early detection of PsA symptoms in patients with psoriasis by dermatologists working in specialist dermatology clinics. Trial registration: NCT02470481.
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2018 |
Davis JS, Young M, Lennox S, Jones T, Piera K, Pickles R, Oakley S, 'The effect of curing hepatitis C with direct-acting antiviral treatment on endothelial function', Antiviral Therapy, 23 687-694 (2018) [C1] ©2018 International Medical Press. Background: Epidemiological data suggest that chronic HCV infection (CHC) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but it is unknown if... [more] ©2018 International Medical Press. Background: Epidemiological data suggest that chronic HCV infection (CHC) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk, but it is unknown if it is associated with endothelial dysfunction. We aimed to assess the effect of antiviral treatment on endothelial function in non-cirrhotic adults with CHC. Methods: Self-controlled before and after study. All patients had genotype-1 CHC and were treated with 12 weeks of paritaprevir/ritonavir, ombitasvir and dasabuvir (PrOD), with ribavirin added for those with genotype-1a infection. Endothelial function was assessed at three time points before antiviral treatment, at treatment weeks 1, 4, 8 and 12, and 12 weeks after the end of treatment. The main assessment tools were reactive hyperaemia peripheral arterial tonometry (RHPAT) and serum concentrations of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and E-selectin. Results: A total of 16 patients were enrolled. Mean (SD) age was 51.4 (6.9) years and 11 participants (69%) were male. All 16 patients achieved a sustained virological response. The mean (SD) baseline RHPAT index was 2.05 (0.48), and there was no significant change during treatment (mean within-patient change from baseline to end of treatment =-0.23 [0.45]; P= not significant). There was a significant improvement in both mean Ang-2 (baseline 2.44 [0.79] ng/ml, within-patient change -0.60 [0.44]; P<0.001) and E-selectin (baseline 48.7 [21.5] ng/ml, within-patient change -14.4 [13.0]; P<0.001). Conclusions: Removing HCV viraemia is associated with a significant improvement in endothelial function as measured by serum markers, but not in bedside microvascular reactivity. Chronic HCV viraemia may be associated with endothelial cell dysfunction and therefore long-term cardiovascular risk.
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2012 |
Gullick NJ, Oakley SP, Zain A, Gibson T, Jones T, Mistlin A, et al., 'Goal-directed therapy for RA in routine practice is associated with improved function in patients with disease duration up to 15 years', Rheumatology, 51 759-761 (2012)
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Show 17 more journal articles |
Conference (42 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
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2016 |
Chiong F, Holliday E, Hancock S, Oakley S, Atria J, 'ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ELEVATED RHEUMATOID FACTOR AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE HOSPITALISATION IN A NON-CLINICAL POPULATION', INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL (2016)
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2014 | Oakley S, Esmaili N, Major G, Mathers D, Ratnarajah S, Van der Kallen J, et al., 'ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IS MOST STRONGLY INFLUENCED BY LIPID PROFILE AND DISEASE ACTIVITY IN ACPA-POSITIVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS', INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL (2014) [E3] | ||||
2014 |
Oakley S, Esmaili N, Major G, Mathers D, Ratnarajah S, van der Kallen J, et al., 'A Randomised Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effect of Humira upon Endothelial Function in ACPA Positive Rheumatoid Arthritis - an Interim Analysis', ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY (2014) [E3]
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Show 39 more conferences |
Thesis / Dissertation (1 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link |
---|---|---|---|
2004 | Oakley SP, Arthroscopic assessment of articular cartilage in an animal model of osteoarthritis, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales (2004) |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 6 |
---|---|
Total funding | $2,108,000 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20161 grants / $30,000
31P1H flexible surface coil for Siemens Prisma, Software version VE11B/C* coil for MRI$30,000
Funding body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
Funding body | NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council) |
---|---|
Project Team | Laureate Professor Roger Smith, Associate Professor Saadallah Ramadan, Professor Ronald Plotnikoff, Conjoint Associate Professor Stephen Oakley, Doctor Peter Lau, Doctor Christian Abel |
Scheme | Equipment Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2016 |
Funding Finish | 2016 |
GNo | G1601315 |
Type Of Funding | C2120 - Aust Commonwealth - Other |
Category | 2120 |
UON | Y |
20152 grants / $381,000
Humira and Endothelial Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis - 2 (HEART-RA-2)$229,000
Interim analysis in Hunter HEART-RA-1 confirmed that endothelial function correlates inversely with inflammatory burden in patients with anti-CCP positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it appears that other disease-specific but non-inflammatory mechanisms may contribute to cardiovascular disease in RA. This might include genetic factors, abnormalities of lipid transport and newly described immune mechanisms such as NETosis. HEART-RA-1 also only evaluated patients with anti-CCP positive RA.
HEART-RA-2 will consist of 2 parts:
Part 1, a randomised controlled trial will evaluate the effect of Humira upon endothelial function in anti-CCP antibody positive and anti-CCP antibody negative patients with RA.
Part 2 will evaluate non-inflammatory mechanisms of cardiovascular disease by taking inflammation out of the equation. This will be done by studying people with Pre-RA i.e. who have evidence of RA on blood test of on ultrasound but no clinical evidence of RA.
Funding body: Abbvie Pharmaceuticals
Funding body | Abbvie Pharmaceuticals |
---|---|
Project Team | Stephen Oakley |
Scheme | Abbvie Investigator-Initiated Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2015 |
Funding Finish | 2017 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Aust Competitive - Non Commonwealth |
Category | 1NS |
UON | N |
CHESS - Curing Hepatitis C: Effect on the Endothelium and cardiovaScular riSk$152,000
Hepatitis C is a serious viral form of hepatitis that causes cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and liver cancer. Effective treatment now exists for the treatment of Hepatitis. Decisions to treat are based upon a range of prognostic factors related to hepatic outcomes.
Hepatitis C is also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms of CV disease in hepatitis C are not understood but it is possible that it is directly related to the presence of the virus and liver inflammation. In this regard there may be similarities with rheumatoid arthritis.
This collaborative study draws upon the expertise and research interests of Dr Joshua Davis (Lead investigator, Infectious Disease Physician) and Dr Stephen Oakley (Clinical Rheumatologist) to evaluate the effect of Hepatitis C anti-viral therapy upon endothelial function.
Funding body: Abbvie Pharmaceuticals
Funding body | Abbvie Pharmaceuticals |
---|---|
Project Team | Joshua Davis |
Scheme | Abbvie Investigator-Initiated Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2015 |
Funding Finish | 2016 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Not Known |
Category | UNKN |
UON | N |
20131 grants / $161,000
Humira and Endothelial Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis (HEART - RA)$161,000
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a severe immune-mediated destructive inflammatory arthritis that affects the peripheral joints and affects 1% of the population. It is also associated with double the risk of cardiovascular disease and reduces life expectancy by 10-15 years. This effect is particularly pronounced in the anti-CCP antibody (ACPA) positive sub-group. Recent advances in the therapeutics of RA have greatly improved the treatment of arthritis. However, the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in RA are not fully understood and it is not known if these new treatments also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Hunter HEART-RA is a single-site randomised controlled trial of 60 patients with ACPA-positive RA being conducted through the Department of Rheumatology, John Hunter Hospital. The study will determine whether the drug adalimumab influences cardiovascular risk in patients with RA using a platform of cardiovascular biomarkers including endothelial function, central arterial pressure indices and aortic stiffness. The study will also explore a range of potential mechanisms of cardiovascular disease including genetic risk, lipid profiling and novel neutrophil-mediated mechanisms of immunity.
Recruitment for the study commenced in 2013. The final participant was recruited mid 2015. The study will conclude with final analysis in 2016.
Funding body: Abbvie Pharmaceuticals
Funding body | Abbvie Pharmaceuticals |
---|---|
Project Team | Stephen Oakley |
Scheme | Abbvie Investigator-Initiated Grant |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2013 |
Funding Finish | 2016 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Aust Competitive - Non Commonwealth |
Category | 1NS |
UON | N |
20062 grants / $1,536,000
DIORAMA: 3-Dimensional Integration of images using Optical Remote-sensing technology to evaluate Arthroscopic and MRI Assessments$816,000
Funding body: Guy's & St Thomas's Charity
Funding body | Guy's & St Thomas's Charity |
---|---|
Project Team | Stephen Oakley 1/1/2006 - 31/04/2008 |
Scheme | Guy's & St Thomas's Charity |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2006 |
Funding Finish | 2009 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Not Known |
Category | UNKN |
UON | N |
Knee Osteoarthritis in Twins$720,000
This study is was conducted through the Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology Unit under the Lead of Prof Tim Spector. This cross-sectional study evaluated differences in phenotype and gene expression in twins discordant for knee osteoarthritis. Twenty pairs of twins discordant for knee osteoarthritis underwent a range of assessments including knee MRI, arthroscopic assessment and synovial biopsy. Dr Oakley's role was to develop the protocol, obtain ethical approval and to perform knee arthroscopic assessments and obtain synovial biopsies. This study was completed without significant findings and no publications were produced.
Funding body: Merck Sharpe and Dohme - Investigator-Initiated Grant
Funding body | Merck Sharpe and Dohme - Investigator-Initiated Grant |
---|---|
Project Team | Tim Spector |
Scheme | Merck Sharpe and Dohme - Investigator-Initiated Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2006 |
Funding Finish | 2008 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Not Known |
Category | UNKN |
UON | N |
Research Projects
T-BIRD: Tissue Biomechanics and the Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases 2016 - 2019
CHESS - Curing Hepatitis C: Effect on the Endothelium and cardiovaScular riSk. 2015 - 2016
This longitudinal observational study evaluates whether anti-viral therapy for hepatitis C improves endothelial function. Dr Oakley (rheumatology) and Dr Davis (infectious diseases) are collaborating due to the likely shared pathogenic mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis and in hepatitis C and to share resources.
Grants
CHESS - Curing Hepatitis C: Effect on the Endothelium and cardiovaScular riSk
Funding body: Abbvie Pharmaceuticals
Funding body | Abbvie Pharmaceuticals |
---|---|
Description | Hepatitis C is a serious viral form of hepatitis that causes cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and liver cancer. Effective treatment now exists for the treatment of Hepatitis. Decisions to treat are based upon a range of prognostic factors related to hepatic outcomes. Hepatitis C is also associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms of CV disease in hepatitis C are not understood but it is possible that it is directly related to the presence of the virus and liver inflammation. In this regard there may be similarities with rheumatoid arthritis. This collaborative study draws upon the expertise and research interests of Dr Joshua Davis (Lead investigator, Infectious Disease Physician) and Dr Stephen Oakley (Clinical Rheumatologist) to evaluate the effect of Hepatitis C anti-viral therapy upon endothelial function. |
Scheme | Abbvie Investigator-Initiated Grant |
Humira and Endothelial Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis 2 (HEART RA - 2) 2015 -
Hunter HEART-RA will answer many questions regarding cardiovascular disease in ACPA-positive RA. However, it will not evaluate ACPA-negative RA patient group and cannot answer the question of when, at which stage in the development of RA, cardiovascular risk becomes elevated and which inflammatory and non-inflammatory processes may be responsible. Hunter HEAT-RA-2 has been designed to investigate these questions in greater detail.
Hunter HEART-RA-2 is an extension of Hunter HEART-RA consisting of 2 parts.
Part 1: Randomised Controlled Trial evaluating the Effect of the TNF-Inhibitor drug Humira (adalimumab) upon cardiovascular risk as measured by a platform of cardiovascular assessments. This second study will include ACPA-negative RA patients and more comprehensive assessments of cardiovascular function and inflammatory burden.
Part 2: Cross-Sectional Study evaluating cardiovascular risk in First Degree Relatives of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Healthy Unrelated Controls and people with immunological markers of rheumatoid arthritis without clinical disease.
In both parts of this study there will be a platform of assessments of articular inflammation, cardiovascular function and laboratory assessments. In addition to the routine assessments of inflammatory burden (clinical joint counts, ESR and CRP) musculoskeletal ultrasound will be used to detect subclinical joint inflammation. The platform of cardiovascular assessments include endothelial function (EndoPAT), central arterial pressure indices, aortic stiffness (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity) and carotid ultrasound (carotid intimal medial thickness and carotid plaque measurement). Participants will have a range of genetic and immunological tests and a sub-group will participate in studies of NETosis.
Grants
Humira and Endothelial Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis - 2 (HEART-RA-2)
Funding body: Abbvie Pharmaceuticals
Funding body | Abbvie Pharmaceuticals |
---|---|
Description | Interim analysis in Hunter HEART-RA-1 confirmed that endothelial function correlates inversely with inflammatory burden in patients with anti-CCP positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it appears that other disease-specific but non-inflammatory mechanisms may contribute to cardiovascular disease in RA. This might include genetic factors, abnormalities of lipid transport and newly described immune mechanisms such as NETosis. HEART-RA-1 also only evaluated patients with anti-CCP positive RA. HEART-RA-2 will consist of 2 parts: Part 1, a randomised controlled trial will evaluate the effect of Humira upon endothelial function in anti-CCP antibody positive and anti-CCP antibody negative patients with RA. Part 2 will evaluate non-inflammatory mechanisms of cardiovascular disease by taking inflammation out of the equation. This will be done by studying people with Pre-RA i.e. who have evidence of RA on blood test of on ultrasound but no clinical evidence of RA. |
Scheme | Abbvie Investigator-Initiated Grant |
Collaborators
Name | Organisation |
---|---|
Professor John Richard Attia | University of Newcastle |
Professor Phil Michael Hansbro | University of Newcastle |
Humira and Endothelial Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis (HEART-RA) 2013 -
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a severe immune-mediated destructive inflammatory arthritis that affects the peripheral joints and affects 1% of the population. It is also associated with double the risk of cardiovascular disease and reduces life expectancy by 10-15 years. This effect is particularly pronounced in the anti-CCP antibody (ACPA) positive sub-group. Recent advances in the therapeutics of RA have greatly improved the treatment of arthritis. However, the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in RA are not fully understood and it is not known if these new treatments also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Hunter HEART-RA is a single-site randomised controlled trial of 60 patients with ACPA-positive RA being conducted through the Department of Rheumatology, John Hunter Hospital. The study will determine whether the drug adalimumab influences cardiovascular risk in patients with RA using a platform of cardiovascular biomarkers including endothelial function, central arterial pressure indices and aortic stiffness. The study will also explore a range of potential mechanisms of cardiovascular disease including genetic risk, lipid profiling and novel neutrophil-mediated mechanisms of immunity.
Recruitment for the study commenced in 2013. The final participant was recruited mid 2015. The study will conclude with final analysis in 2016.
Grants
Humira and Endothelial Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis (HEART - RA)
Funding body: Abbvie Pharmaceuticals
Funding body | Abbvie Pharmaceuticals |
---|---|
Description | Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a severe immune-mediated destructive inflammatory arthritis that affects the peripheral joints and affects 1% of the population. It is also associated with double the risk of cardiovascular disease and reduces life expectancy by 10-15 years. This effect is particularly pronounced in the anti-CCP antibody (ACPA) positive sub-group. Recent advances in the therapeutics of RA have greatly improved the treatment of arthritis. However, the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in RA are not fully understood and it is not known if these new treatments also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Hunter HEART-RA is a single-site randomised controlled trial of 60 patients with ACPA-positive RA being conducted through the Department of Rheumatology, John Hunter Hospital. The study will determine whether the drug adalimumab influences cardiovascular risk in patients with RA using a platform of cardiovascular biomarkers including endothelial function, central arterial pressure indices and aortic stiffness. The study will also explore a range of potential mechanisms of cardiovascular disease including genetic risk, lipid profiling and novel neutrophil-mediated mechanisms of immunity. Recruitment for the study commenced in 2013. The final participant was recruited mid 2015. The study will conclude with final analysis in 2016. |
Scheme | Abbvie Investigator-Initiated Grant |
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Research Collaborations
The map is a representation of a researchers co-authorship with collaborators across the globe. The map displays the number of publications against a country, where there is at least one co-author based in that country. Data is sourced from the University of Newcastle research publication management system (NURO) and may not fully represent the authors complete body of work.
Country | Count of Publications | |
---|---|---|
Australia | 23 | |
United Kingdom | 15 | |
Belgium | 1 | |
China | 1 | |
Italy | 1 | |
More... |
Conjoint Associate Professor Stephen Oakley
Position
Conjoint Associate Professor
School of Medicine and Public Health
College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
Contact Details
stephen.oakley@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | 0249 223 500 |
Mobile | stephen.oakley@hnehealth.nsw.gov.au |
Fax | 0249 223 214 |
Office
Room | Rheumatology Department |
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Building | John Hunter Hospital |
Location | New Lambton , |