SHROPSHIRE AND MID WALES FERTILITY CENTRE - Key Persons
Amanda is one of our fertility nurses and has worked in the unit since 2014. She has 20 years' experience in gynaecology with ward experience and more recently working in the assessment and treatment centre. Amanda is also the unit's infection prevention and control link nurse and the virology link nurse.
Amy is one of our Senior Clinical Embryologists after graduating University with a First Class degree, Amy joined the team as a trainee embryologist in 2009. In 2011 she completed the post graduate certificate in Clinical Embryology with the Association of Clinical Embryologists before becoming State Registered as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council in 2013.
Job Titles:
- Trainee
- Trainee Embryologist
Ana Luísa is a trainee embryologist on the Scientist Training Programme, having joined the team in 2022. Prior to joining us, she obtained an MSc in Human Clinical Embryology and Assisted Conception at the University of Dundee, where she graduated with Merit with a dissertation about the adherence to the WHO basic semen analysis guidelines. Her interest in reproduction started in her undergraduate studies, in Biology (Hons) at the University of Lisbon, during an Embryology & Histology course. Recently, she volunteered with the Male Reproductive Health Initiative (ESHRE group) to help disseminate scientific information about male reproductive health.
Anthea joined the team in 2020 as one of our Senior Fertility Administration Assistants. You may speak to Anthea if you need to book or change an appointment.
Bethany joined Shropshire & Mid Wales Fertility Centre in 2022 and is one of our Senior Admin Assistants. Bethany's main role is to take care of initial queries and bookings for Self-funded patients. Bethany also helps to update the HFEA with patient treatment details. If you have a fee-paying query, or want to book Self-funded treatment, you may speak to Bethany.
Job Titles:
- Senior Fertility Administrative Assistant
Caroline is a Senior Fertility Administrative Assistant and has worked for the fertility department since 2010. You may see Caroline when you book in at Reception. Caroline is our designated HFEA administrator and records all the information they require in relation to the terms and conditions of the HFEA Licence.
Job Titles:
- Fertility Quality Manager
Claire is the Fertility Quality Manager. She has worked for the centre since 2017. She holds First Class degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Wolverhampton. Claire has a varied role working to ensure compliance to HFEA Code of Practice, Trust policies and local procedures and manages the administrative team. Claire is your point of contact if you would like to make any suggestions to improve the service we offer and in the unlikely event of you having issues with our service she is also our designated complaints officer.
Claire is one of our fertility nurses. She has worked for the Shropshire and Mid Wales Fertility Centre since 2016 and prior to this worked at a Fertility Clinic in the South East for three years. You may see Claire when you come for your nurse appointments and procedures.
Clare is one of our Nursing Assistants and has worked for part time for Shropshire and Mid Wales Fertility Centre for 7 years. Previous to this to she worked on the Day Surgery Unit for 11 years. You may see Clare when you attend for your base line scan, endometrial scratch, egg collection or transfer, and in recovery.
Mak has been working in the fertility field for over three decades. He has wide experience in assisted reproduction in the UK and Overseas.
Mak's clinical interests include all aspects of assisted conception. He obtained a Masters degree in Human Reproduction and Fetal Development from Bristol University. He is a member of the British Fertility Society and European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) and regularly attends national and international conferences and workshops. Mak believes in treatment individualisation and works closely with couples to ensure the best outcome.
Job Titles:
- Reproductive Science Practitioner
Elaine is one of our Reproductive Science Practitioners. She has worked at the centre since 2019; previous to this she worked here in andrology from 2014 to 2017. She has a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Cardiff University and a Master's degree in Assisted Reproduction Technology from the University of Nottingham. She has previously worked for UK NEQAS helping to monitor the quality of laboratory testing.
Ffion is one of our Fertility Sisters. She has worked at the Centre since 2018. You may see her at all stages of your treatment, from investigations to clinical procedures. Ffion is the Clinical Waiting List Coordinator for NHS treatment.
Ffion qualified from Cardiff University in 2015, and has worked within surgical division since graduating and has gained a Post Graduate Certificate in Fertility Practice at Edge Hill University in 2021.
As an IVF baby herself, Ffion has always had a special and personal interest in Fertility Nursing, and looks forward to meeting you in the future.
Job Titles:
- Senior Fertility Administrator
Gemma is a Senior Fertility Administrator who supports the Scientific Team. You may speak to Gemma with regard to egg, sperm and embryo storage.
Hannah joined the Fertility Unit in 2018 as an Assistant Fertility Secretary and is now our Finance and Contracts Liaison Officer. Hannah manages the contracts with Local Commissioning Groups and is Personal Assistant to Professor Kasraie. You may speak to Hannah when you call the unit.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Fertility Team
Helene has been a member of the fertility team since 2012, first training as an embryologist under the NHS Scientist Training Programme. She went on to work as the department's Quality Manager before returning to her role as a clinical embryologist.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Association of Clinical Embryologists
- Head of Fertility Services and Consultant
- Visiting Professor at the University of Chester / University Centre Shrewsbury
Jason Kasraie is the Head of Fertility Services and Consultant Embryologist & Andrologist. He is a Clinical Scientist with 25 years' experience in the field. He is also the Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) ‘Person Responsible' for the service, taking legal responsibility for all work in the Centre.
As the scientific lead for the service, Jason works to ensure that patients and their embryos receive the highest quality of care and that the latest evidence based techniques are used in order to maximise the chance of pregnancy for patients. You may see Jason when you attend the department for your egg collection or embryo transfer or in a treatment review clinic to discuss embryo quality and future treatment plans.
Jason is a visiting Professor at the University of Chester/ University Centre Shrewsbury and is the Organisational Lead Scientist for the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust.
Jason is Chair of the Association of Clinical Embryologists (ACE), the professional body for embryologists in the UK and a past Chair of the joint executive committees of ACE, the British Fertility Society and the Society for Reproduction and Fertility.
Julie joined Shropshire & Mid Wales Fertility Centre in 2018 and is our fertility counsellor. Julie has worked in the field of reproductive medicine for many years, is a senior accredited member of British Association Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and has a Masters degree in counselling psychology. Julie is also a Mindfulness Practioner (level I, II, III and masters). Julie is available to see both NHS and self-funded patients.
Kirstie is our Andrology Practitioner. She has worked for Shropshire and Mid Wales Fertility Centre since 2021.You may see Kirstie when you attend semen analysis clinic. Kirstie achieved a first-class degree in medical science locally at University Centre Shrewsbury.
Laura is one of our Nursing Assistants. She has worked in the Trust for 6 years, previously on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at PRH before joining the Fertility Unit in 2016. You will often see Laura when you come in for your appointments, whether it is during scans or procedures, where she will be assisting the Doctors and Nurses. Laura has a particular interest in Fertility and feels very privileged to be a part of your journey.
Louise is one of our nursing assistants. She has worked for the clinic since 2018 and previously worked as a Healthcare Assistant on ward 22RE at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. You may meet Louise assisting at scan clinics or when you attend for procedures.
Meriel is our Receptionist. She has worked for the Fertility Unit since 2016, prior to this she worked for the Women's & Children's department at SATH for 16 years. You may see Meriel when you attend appointments at the reception desk.
Mr Sizer is Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust and Senior Lecturer at Keele University School of Medicine. He was appointed in 2007. He is the Medical lead for Fertility services.
He completed specialist training in Wales in 2005 under Mrs Sheila Walker (who ran the first NHS IVF clinic) gaining an MD in Male infertility in 2002 (supervised by Professor Shaw, previous President of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists)
He is currently the Divisional Medical Director for Women and Childrens Services for the Trust and Undergraduate Tutor for Womens Health at the Shropshire campus for Keele University.
In addition to IVF and Gynaecology work, he is very much involved in Postgraduate training in the region, being Head of the Postgraduate School of Obstetrics & Gynaecology in NHS England West Midlands.
At the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, he is the Fellows Representative on Council. He was an examiner for the Part 2 MRCOG OSCE and is a current examiner for the Part 3 MRCOG clinical assessment.
He is the lead author of three existing books of MRCOG exam preparation: ‘SBAs for the Part 1 MRCOG' (2012), Part 2 MRCOG: single best answer questions (2016) and Part 2 MRCOG - 500 EMQs and SBAs (2019)
Mr Bala Karunakaran is a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with an interest in reproductive medicine. He graduated from King's College London. In addition to his medical degree, he holds a BSc in clinical health care ethics and law, a diploma in philosophy of medicine and membership of the royal college of obstetricians and gynaecologists.
He was awarded a PhD from University of Birmingham for his research on improving reproductive outcomes for women with low ovarian reserve. He has an interest in recurrent miscarriage and was previously a clinical fellow at the Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research at Birmingham. He has publshed research articles as well as book chapters in addition to presenting at national and international conferences.
He has held numerous national leadership positions and was awarded the prestigious fellowship of the British Medical Association. He is passionate advocate for equitable and fair reproductive treatment across the nation and is a trustee in the charity Fertility Network.
Natasha joined the team as a trainee Embryologist on the NHS Scientific Training Programme. She previously worked as a Reproductive Practitioner and Andrologist for 3 years in various private clinics in London and Hove before joining the SMWFC team. Natasha obtained a bachelor's with honours degree in Biomedical Sciences and a first-class Master's Degree ub Reproductive Medicine: Science and Ethics at the University of Kent.
Nicky is our Nurse Manager and has worked at Shropshire and Mid Wales Fertility Centre since February 2018 and has worked in the Trust for over 30 years. Her role is partly managerial and partly clinical so you will see her in all areas of the clinic. She has recently completed a Masters module in Fertility at Edge Hill University.
Nicky is our Nurse Manager and has worked at Shropshire and Mid Wales Fertility Centre since February 2018 and has worked in the Trust for over 30 years. Her role is partly managerial and partly clinical so you will see her in all areas of the clinic. She has recently completed a Masters module in Fertility at Edge Hill University.
Nikky is a trainee Andrologist. She has worked for Shropshire and Mid Wales Fertility Centre since 2016 as a Semenologist and prior to this she worked as a therapeutic radiographer. Nikky did an undergraduate in Medical Sciences and completed a Masters module in Assisted Reproduction Technologies. She is also a member of Association of Biomedical Andrologists (ABA).
Ros qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1986 & has worked in areas of Women's Health since 1989, primarily in a Gynaecology ward setting. Ros has worked in an IVF setting since 1995, firstly in a London Clinic and then in the Shropshire & Mid-Wales Fertility Unit since 2013. Ros is responsible for co-ordinating fertility preservation treatment cycles in the unit.
Sarah joined our team in 2020 as one of our Senior Fertility Admin Assistants. Prior to this Sarah worked elsewhere in the Trust for Patient Safety. Sarah will help you with any queries relating to your treatment costs and medication bills. As part of the Admin Team, you may also speak with Sarah on our Nurse telephone line, where she will be happy to help with any questions you may have or relay to the appropriate Fertility Team.
Sarah is one of our senior clinical embryologists and has worked for the Shropshire & Mid-Wales Fertility Centre since 2006. Prior to this Sarah undertook a 4 month voluntary work experience placement in the Unit after graduating from Nottingham University with a First-Class honours degree in Animal Science.
Sharon is one of our Senior Clinical Embryologists she completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Biological sciences in 1998 and later the same year joined our team as a Fertility Laboratory Assistant.
Stacy is one of our clinical embryologists. She has worked for the fertility unit since 2008, prior to this she worked as a biomedical scientist in histology at Wrexham Maelor hospital. In 2011 she completed the post graduate certificate in Clinical Embryology with the Association of Clinical Embryologists before becoming State Registered as a Clinical Scientist with the Health and Care Professions Council in 2018.
Tiff is one of our Nursing assistants and started with us in September 2018 having previously worked as a women's service assistant on the antenatal ward at PRH since 2013.
Tracey is Mr Sizer and Mr Karunakaran's NHS Medical Secretary and you may speak with her if you telephone the Unit. She has worked for the Service since 2001. Previous to this Tracey has worked in the Private Sector and has over 40 years of Clerical and Administration experience. As Mr Sizer and Mr Karunakaran's NHS Secretary Tracey is responsible for all of Mr Sizer and Mr Karunakaran's NHS Correspondence and is more than happy to help with any queries from Doctors or Patients regarding Fertility, Recurrent Miscarriage or Gynaecology Clinics.
Victoria is one of our Clinical Embryologists. She has worked for the Shropshire and Mid Wales Fertility Centre since 2006 after graduating from Nottingham University with a BSc in Biology. In 2010 she completed the post graduate certificate in Clinical Embryology with the Association of Clinical Embryologists.
Job Titles:
- Senior Specialist Fertility Sister
Yvonne is a full time Senior Specialist Fertility Sister with over 20 years' experience in fertility nursing at the Shropshire and Mid Wales Fertility Unit. She joined the team in 1998 and has seen the service outgrow two facilities as it expanded. Her previous experience is as a midwife having done her midwifery training in York and her General Nurse Training in Edinburgh. Yvonne is the donor egg co-ordinator having set up the service in 2007.