Dr Matthew Stokes

Dr Matthew Stokes is a General Surgeon with international sub-specialist training in Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgery, completed through the highly competitive AANZGOSA training program. He has advanced expertise in minimally invasive surgical techniques for oesophageal and gastric cancer, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), hiatus and diaphragmatic hernias, and metabolic and bariatric surgery, including revisional procedures. In addition to his Upper GI work, he manages a broad range of general surgical conditions, including gallstone disease, hernias and emergency general surgical disorders.

Dr Stokes graduated from medical school in 2013 and began his medical career at Austin Health before moving to Alfred Health, where he completed his General Surgical Training. In 2020, he was appointed Principal Surgical Registrar at The Alfred Hospital and obtained Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in 2021.

Following fellowship, he undertook three years of additional post-fellowship specialist training to sub-specialise in Oesophago-Gastric, Bariatric and General Surgery. His first year was at Frankston Hospital, Peninsula Health, where he worked as a Staff General Surgeon/Fellow, gaining significant experience in both elective and emergency general surgery. In 2023, he was selected for the AANZGOSA two-year post-fellowship training program. He completed his first year at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, developing extensive experience in minimally invasive surgery for reflux disease, hiatal and diaphragmatic hernias, and oesophageal and gastric cancers.

In 2024, Dr Stokes relocated to the United Kingdom and worked at The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he served as a Consultant General and Benign Upper GI Surgeon and Senior Clinical Fellow in Oesophagogastric cancer surgery. During this period, he performed a high volume of oesophageal and gastric cancer resections, further refining his expertise in managing both benign and malignant oesophagogastric conditions. He was awarded a Diploma of Membership of the International Postgraduate Deanery from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MIPDEd).

Dr Stokes is actively involved in clinical research in Upper GI and general surgery. His current research focuses on the role of bacterial species in the development of oesophageal cancer and early postoperative complications, with the aim of improving surgical outcomes and reducing peri-operative risk.

He is committed to delivering comprehensive, patient-centred Upper GI and General Surgical care across South East Victoria. Dr Stokes holds public appointments at The Alfred (Alfred Health, Melbourne) and Frankston Hospital (Peninsula Health), and consults privately at Peninsula Private Hospital in Frankston.