Dr Jennifer Gaffney is a dual-qualified anaesthetist and intensive care specialist with clinical expertise spanning perioperative care, complex anaesthesia, and critical care medicine. She has 19 years of experience in practicing medicine, with 6 at specialist level, and has held senior appointments in both public and private hospitals across Queensland. Her practice has encompassed perioperative medicine and end-of-life care, informed by postgraduate training in palliative care and public health. Dr Gaffney has contributed extensively to health system preparedness and policy, notably through her leadership in establishing COVID-19 protocols at the Mater Hospital. She has also held supervisory and educational roles, and continues to be active in audit, quality improvement, and medical education.
She is currently a staff anaesthetist at STARS Hospital and holds a senior educator and training position.
Qualifications
2006 Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, St George’s University of London
2016 Master of Public Health (Biosecurity and Disaster Preparedness), James Cook University
2017 Clinical Diploma in Palliative Medicine, Royal Australian College of Physicians
2019 Fellow, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
2022 Fellow, College of Intensive Care Medicine of Australia and New Zealand
Current Positions
Staff Anaesthetist, STARS Hospital, Queensland Health Metro North
Supervisor of Training, STARS Hospital
Previous Positions
Staff Anaesthetist, Mater Hospitals South Brisbane
Staff Anaesthetist, The Prince Charles Hospital Brisbane
Provisional Anaesthetic Fellow, Mater Hospital
Anaesthetic Registrar, South Queensland Training Rotation
Areas of Clinical Expertise
- Adult anaesthesia across multiple surgical specialties including obstetrics, vascular, plastics, orthopaedics, and ENT
- Perioperative medicine and critical care
- Palliative care integration and end-of-life management
- Disaster preparedness and institutional response coordination