At the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine – BCRM, our aim is to be the first choice in Bristol and the South West for Fertility treatment, investigations (tests) and advice. BCRM is built on a foundation of trust and integrity with transparency at the heart of all our treatments. All treatments offered are evidence based and personalised to you.
Our highly-skilled team, led by internationally recognised Fertility expert Valentine Akande, has already helped thousands of couples achieve their dream of starting or growing their family – and it’s part of our mission to help many more.
We believe those facing Fertility treatment or reproductive problems deserve the highest standard of care from experienced medical professional that understand the stress and emotional impact these issues can bring.
We are friendly, discreet and the key to our outstanding success is putting our patients first. As such, each member of our dedicated team is carefully selected and highly valued.
We are recognised for continuously improving and innovating. We are also committed to sharing our expert knowledge with our patients, peers, colleagues and the public.
Dr Valentine Akande MBBS PhD MRCOG
Medical Director & Lead Clinician
Valentine is a Consultant Gynaecologist, Fertility Specialist & Reproductive Surgeon.
He has been treating couples with Fertility and reproductive problems since 1995 and has personally helped several hundred fulfil their dream of having a baby.
Dr Amanda Jefferys MRCOG BMBS BMedSci
Medical Director
Amanda is a Consultant Gynaecologist and Subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine & Surgery.
She qualified in 2003 and has worked in the field of gynaecology for the last 13 years. Amanda has undertaken specialist training in the field of fertility and is an accredited subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery. She has a broad research portfolio with a particular interest in fertility surgery and the impact of obesity on reproductive health. She has published research articles and book chapters on these subjects. She is an organiser and trainer on the prestigious British Fertility Society Reproductive Surgery Masterclass and teaches on the University of Bristol MSc in Reproduction and Development. She is also an active member of the British Fertility Society and British Society for Gynaecology Endoscopy. Amanda prides herself in providing a personalised and holistic approach ensuring the highest standards of care for all her patients.
Dr Andrina Louisy MBBS MRCOG
Fertility Consultant
Andrina has had a 30-year career in obstetrics and gynaecology with the last 15 of those years dedicated to fertility. She has gained a wealth of experience all of which has equipped her to manage the challenges which exist in this field. Andrina has a compassionate, thorough and calm approach. She has worked in pioneering units which have developed important advances in the care of fertility patients. During a previous role as clinical director within a fertility group, her clinic’s success rates were consistently highest. Andrina leads the service for single women and female couples, has a role in providing quality assurance and supports the male fertility team.
Prof Enda McVeigh MB BcH MPhil FRCOG
Consultant Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist
Enda is a Consultant Gynaecologist and Subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine & Surgery at BCRM as well as being an Associate Professor of Reproductive Medicine at the University of Oxford.
He qualified in 1988 and has worked in the field of gynaecology for the last 25yrs years. He is a world-recognised expert in Fertility treatments such as IVF and has a broad research portfolio with a particular interest in fertility surgery and fertility preservation following for young cancer suffers. He was one of the founders of the Future Fertility Trust to support children going through cancer treatment. He has published research articles and books including the Oxford Handbook for Reproductive Medicine. As well as his work in Reproductive Medicine he is also on the board of the Oxford University and Mayo Clinic (USA) collaboration. He has been an advisor to the UK All Party Parliamentary group on fertility and is currently on The Department of Health’s working group on funding for IVF. Internationally he has worked for USAID / WHO and set up a clinical and research clinical facility in China as part of a joint venture between The University of Oxford and Tongi University in Shanghai.
Dr Oliver O’Donovan BSc MBBS MRCOG
Consultant Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist
Oli qualified in 2006 and has been working in Gynaecology since 2008. He is a consultant gynaecologist working at both BCRM and for the NHS at St. Michael’s Hospital, Bristol. He is a specialist in Reproductive Medicine, advanced laparoscopic (key hole) and hysteroscopic (womb cavity) surgery and endometriosis. He is also the lead consultant at The St.Michael’s Endometriosis Centre and is experienced in management of all aspects of this disease, but is particularly interested and qualified in treating those endometriosis patients with fertility issues.
Assisted conception and IVF
Oli was a specialist fellow in Reproductive Medicine jointly at the University College London Hospital Reproductive Medicine Unit and the Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health (CRGH). During this time he became skilled in all aspects of diagnosis and treatment of women/couples with difficulty getting pregnant, including ovulation induction (OI), intrauterine insemination (IUI) and IVF/ICSI.
Surgery
Oli was awarded one of only five posts nationally in advanced laparoscopic surgery, which he completed at University College London Hospital. This equipped him with expertise to manage all benign gynaecological conditions through laparoscopic surgery, including endometriosis, fibroids, and subfertility.
Ultrasound
Oli is experienced in all aspects of gynaecological ultrasound, but has particular skill in scanning for endometriosis, including the identification of deep infiltrating disease (such as that effecting the bowel, bladder and ureters).
Research and teaching
He has published and presented (nationally and internationally) on many topics related to fertility, endometriosis and minimal access surgery, and is regularly invited to teach on courses. He is keenly involved in research and teaching (both at undergraduate and postgraduate level), and is active within the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy, currently working on the information and guidelines committee.
Personal commitment
Oli is committed to collaborating to the highest level with both patients and colleagues to provide outstanding quality patient-centred care.
Further information:
Dr Alex Price MBChB MRCGP Dip (TLHP)
Fertility Consultant
Alex is a Fertility Specialist, qualified in 2001 and has worked in the field of gynaecology since 2003. She also works at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM), Southmead Hospital. Her academic training has involved working as an Obstetric and Gynaecology Registrar, and a Research Fellow in medical education with the University of Bristol. She is also a fully qualified GP and has been specially trained in ultrasound scanning. Further qualifications include a diploma in medical education and family planning and sexual health.
She has always been complemented on her listening skills and compassionate nature towards patients.
She is a keen musician, enjoys singing with Bristol Choral Society and playing the violin. She also enjoys the outdoors and skiing.
Dr Abhiruchi Paisal M.D, Fellow Reproductive Medicine
Fertility Consultant
Dr Paisal obtained her M.D in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2006 and completed her fellowship in Reproductive Medicine in 2011. She has since been practicing in the field of fertility. In addition, she also holds a diploma in ultrasonography.
Dr Paisal joined BCRM in 2015 bringing her vast experience in all aspects of Reproductive Medicine to Bristol. She has gained experience at some of the renowned Fertility centres such as the Yale Fertility Centre in the United States. She is a member of the British Fertility Society and has taught at the MSc in Reproduction and Development at the University of Bristol. She believes in providing high standards of care through compassion and individualized patient approach.
Dr Caroline Chebsey, BSc MBBS MRCOG (part I) MRCGP
Fertility Consultant
Caroline has joined BCRM as Fertility Consultant. She qualified in 2007 and has worked in the field of gynaecology since 2009. She also works as a General Practitioner in Bristol. Caroline spent 7 years working as a Specialist Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology within the Southwest and during this time was involved in Research and Teaching internationally. She spent two years as a Clinical Research Fellow in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, publishing research articles and book chapters and was a keen educationalist.
Bringing together her specialist training and skills gained in primary care she has been complemented on her empathy, understanding and communication, which help her to provide individualized, and comprehensive holistic care.
Dr Frederica von Hawrylak MBChB, MFSRH, DipGUM
Fertility Consultant
Freddie is a Consultant in Sexual and Reproductive Health having qualified in 2012 and working within the field here in Bristol since 2016. Alongside fertility, she also specialises in complex contraception, early pregnancy and sexual health and utilises these skill sets to provide holistic, patient centred care. She is an honorary teaching fellow at Bristol University and Co-chairs the regional AVON CASH training group. Freddie won the International ESC Young Scientist of the year award in 2018 for her work on VTE risk assessment in early pregnancy and she constantly strives for the highest quality standards of patient care.
Freddie prides herself on delivering individualised, empathetic guidance throughout the reproductive journey.
Mr Hajeb Kamali BSc MBChB MRCOG
Consultant Gynaecologist, Recurrent Miscarriage Lead and Fertility Specialist
Hajeb is a Consultant Gynaecologist and Specialist in Recurrent Miscarriage and Reproductive Medicine at both North Bristol NHS Trust and the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM). With over a decade of experience in Gynaecology, he has completed advanced specialist training in both recurrent miscarriage and reproductive care
Recurrent Miscarriage
Hajeb’s passion and area of specialist interest is in helping couples with recurrent miscarriage realise their dream of having a child. He has years of experience in this field and is the lead for the recurrent miscarriage service at Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust.
More recently, Hajeb established a new and bespoke Recurrent Miscarriage clinic at the BCRM. This has enabled him to further expand his scope of care, to provide patients with the highest quality patient centric care, as well as extensive and contemporary investigative and therapeutic options for couples suffering with pregnancy loss and infertility
Surgery
Hajeb has advanced specialist skills and experience in minimal access reproductive surgery, including laparoscopic (keyhole) myomectomy (removal of fibroids) and tubal surgery. This experience allows him to provide personalised expert counselling for patients with these conditions in the context of miscarriage risk and infertility
He also has additional training and expertise in hysteroscopic (womb cavity) procedures, which he uses to undertake fertility optimising hysteroscopic procedures such as resection of fibroids, division of uterine septum and division of adhesions (scar tissue) at the BCRM
Ultrasound
Hajeb has undertaken advanced training and qualification in fertility focused ultrasound scanning which he utilises in his daily care of patients with recurrent miscarriage and infertility to provide real time diagnosis of subtle abnormalities and tailored management options
Teaching and Research
Hajeb is heavily involved in teaching on topics relating to miscarriage and infertility, as well as leading on regional and national level training on laparoscopic surgery. He has undertaken research in both recurrent miscarriage and assisted conception, having presented his work at both national and international level as well as publishing book chapters on related topics
Dr Rebecca Davies BA (Oxon) BMBCh MRCOG
Clinical Fellow Reproductive Medicine
Rebecca qualified from the University of Oxford in 2011. Her passion for women’s health led her to pursue advanced training in obstetrics & gynaecology. She has been working in this field since 2013 obtaining membership with the Royal College for Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (MRCOG). During this time, she developed an interest in reproductive health, endometriosis, teaching and quality improvement of patient experience. In the later years of training, she specialised in endometriosis care and minimally invasive surgery.
Rebecca has held several leadership roles including serving for 3 years as the Trainee Representative for the Oxford area at the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. She was also a lead reviewer for their Guideline Development Committee and was Vice Chair of the Trainee Advisory Committee for Health Education England Thames Valley. Her interest in teaching has led her to design and deliver several training courses for junior doctors in the field of obstetrics & gynaecology. She has participated in research, presented at international conferences, and has overseen positive change in patient pathways to enhance experience. She believes in providing compassionate and individualised care by empowering patients to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and treatment.
Dr Jessica Leese BMBS MCROG
Clinical Fellow Reproductive Medicine
Jessica graduated form the University of Exeter (PCMD) in 2014. She is currently a senior registrar in obstetrics and gynaecology with The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists having started her specialist training in 2016. During this time she has developed a keen interest in reproductive health and laparoscopic surgery. She has therefore decided to undertake additional training in subfertility and IVF to further her knowledge and experiences and undertake research.
During her training she has been actively involved in teaching and research and has presented her work internationally.
She hopes that her time here at Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine will equip her to become a well rounded consultant gynaecologist with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the area of subfertility and IVF to continue to provide holistic care for her patients for years to come.”
SCIENTIFIC DIRECTOR
Paul Wilson BSc, Dip Clin Embryol, Dip RCPath
Head of Embryology and Andrology
Paul is the Scientific Director for Fertility Bristol as well as Consultant Embryologist/ Andrologist.
He is a Nationally recognised expert in the field of Embryology and has nearly 25 years on direct hands-on experience in IVF labs and, in addition to being part of the Fertility Bristol team, is also the Head of Embryology & Andrology at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM). He previously led the Laboratory team as Laboratory Director and Person Responsible at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Reproductive Medicine. Paul has extensive leadership experience in the delivery of clinical Embryology & Andrology services, including laboratory design, quality management to international standards and is actively involved in the formal training of new Scientists entering the Reproductive Medicine field.
Paul’s research interests include the optimisation of embryo culture, the timing of embryo replacement and embryo cryopreservation processes. His objective is to ensure that the very highest possible success rates are obtained for patients.
Carrie Lomax
Director of Nursing & Clinical Services
Carrie has been working in the field of gynaecology and fertility since 1992. As the Clinical Nurse Manager Carrie attained further qualifications including a diploma in Gynaecology, Nurse prescribing & has undertaken a Masters of Science Degree in Advanced Practice. Carrie has also been specially trained in ultrasound scanning and the investigation process for new fertility patients. She is a member of the British Fertility Society (BFS) & the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) forums for Fertility & Gynaecology. Carrie enjoys being part of a dedicated team and is personally committed to ensuring that patients are fully informed and supported through their fertility journey.
Louise Mitchell
Fertility Nurse Manager
Anne Dickerson
Fertility Nurse Practitioner
Jane Burton
Fertility Nurse Specialist
Nicola Robbins
Fertility Nurse Specialist
Dr Karine Zander
Dr Claire Fouque
Dr Judith Nolan
Corrina Gibbons
Laboratory Manager
Karla Turner
Senior Embryologist
Jennifer Nisbett
Senior Embryologist
Joanne Sayers
Senior Embryologist
Lesley Lunn
Senior Embryologist
Heather Griffith
Senior Embryologist
Victoria Bithrey
Embryologist
Bonnie Dickinson
Senior Embryologist
Megan Atkinson
Embryologist
Kim Donaldson
BSc, Dip RC Path, PGCert Healthcare Leadership
Business Operations Director
Kim has over 30 years experience of working within the healthcare sector both clinically and as an operational manager in women’s health.
Following a degree in Applied Biological Sciences at the University of the West of England, she completed the Royal College of Pathologists Diploma in Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics whilst working as a registered Clinical Scientist at the Bristol Genetics Laboratory. Kim’s work as a Senior Clinical Scientist focussed on prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy loss and promoted a lifelong interest in women’s health and reproductive medicine along with the knowledge and experience of delivering a clinically complex service. Kim joined the Division of Women and Children’s Health at North Bristol NHS Trust in 2010, completed a post graduate certificate in Healthcare Leadership and following her role as the Assistant General Manager of the Division joined the senior leadership team at BCRM as Business Manager in October 2015. Currently as the Business Operations Director, Kim is responsible for the operational management of BCRM and strategic leadership of the Business Operations team including Finance, Administration, Quality and Patient Support.
Joanne Tyrrell
Quality Manager
Alison Inker
Senior Administrator
Katie Mackreth
Finance Controller
Lydia Cuthbertson
PA/ Senior Medical Secretary
Alex Donaldson
Patient Access Lead
Beata Haase
Clinical Administrator
Charlotte Davies
Patient Advisor
Rachel Smith
Senior Medical Secretary
Tracy Anstey
Patient Advisor
USEFUL LINKS
Charities we support
Bristol infertility group
Infertility Network UK
Donor Conception network