I obtained an MBChB from the University of Edinburgh in 1994. In 1999, I obtained a competitive entry Clinical Training Fellowship from the Medical Research Council and used this opportunity to complete a PhD focused on the role of the endometrium in reproduction at the Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology at Imperial College London. Back in Edinburgh, I completed my core clinical training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology between 2002 and 2005. During this time I combined my research interest with training in laparoscopic skills as a Fellow in Gynaecological Endoscopy at the University of Toronto in 2005, until my appointment as a Clinical Lecturer in Edinburgh later that year. As a Lecturer, I developed a major research interest in Fallopian tube and endometrial biology, embryo implantation and early pregnancy problems, and secured an Intermediate Clinician Scientist Fellowship from the Medical Research Council.  Since my appointment as a Senior Lecturer and Consultant Gynaecologist in 2009, I have also developed both clinical and research interests in pelvic pain and endometriosis. I lead the NHS Lothian Multidisciplinary Pelvic Pain Service. In 2014, I was awarded a Personal Chair at the University of Edinburgh.  I am the current Chair of the Academic Board at the RCOG, Past Chair of the ESHRE Special Interest Group for Endometriosis and Endometrial Disorders, UK ESHRE National Representative, Trustee/Medical Advisor for the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, and Trustee/Medical Advisor for Endometriosis UK and the Pelvic Pain Support Network. I am a member of the NICE and ESHRE Endometriosis Guideline Committees. I became an Associate Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Royal College of Anaesthetists in 2019.

 1.   Fallopian tube and endometrial biology, embryo implantation and early pregnancy problems.  His aim is to further understanding of the causes of ectopic pregnancy, develop a blood test to better diagnose the condition, and investigate novel methods for treating ectopic pregnancy. 

2.   Persistent pelvic pain and endometriosis. He is currently investigating the aetiology, and researching novel treatment approaches, of these common clinical problems.

Staff/group members

• • • Mrs Ann Doust (Research Portfolio Manager)
    • Dr Magdalena Koscielniak (Clinical Trials Manager)
    • Dr Furquan Ahmad (Post-Doctoral Scientist)
    • Mrs Helen Dewart (Senior Clinical Research Nurse)
    • Mrs Nicola Watson (Research Nurse)
    • Ms Priscilla Fernandez (Research Midwife)
    • Ms Lauren Sutherland (Research Assistant)
    • Ms Ashleigh Symington (Research Assistant)
    • Mr Jordan Doust (Research Administrator)
    • Ms Heather Flannigan (PhD Student)
    • Ms Chloe Hogg (PhD Student)
    • Ms Jackie Young (PA)

Principal collaborators

University of Edinburgh:

• Hilary Critchley (CRH)
• Colin Duncan (CRH)
• Philippa Saunders (CIR)

National/international:

• Siladitya Bhattacharya (Aberdeen University)
• Kevin Cooper (NHS Grampian)
• Katy Vincent (University of Oxford)
• Jane Daniels (University of Birmingham)
• Erin Greaves (University of Warwick)
• Stephen Tong (University of Monash Melbourne)
• Mohamed Bedaiwy (University of British Columbia)

Responsibilities

• • Charir of RCOG Academic Board
  • ESHRE UK Representative
  • Past Chair of ESHRE Special Interest Group Endometriosis/Endometrium
  • Lead of James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership for Endometriosis
  • Academic Advisor to RCOG Scottish Committee
  • Member of NICE Endometriosis Guideline Group
  • Member of ESHRE Endometriosis Guideline Group
  • Trustee and Medical Advisor to the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
  • Trustee and Medical Advisor to Endometriosis UK
  • Medical Advisor to Pelvic Pain Support Network
  • WES Ambassador
  • Member of SEUD Scientific Board
  • Member of the Blair Bell Committee

Ms Heather Flanagan (registered for PhD October 2019)

Ms Chloe Hogg (registered for PhD October 2016)

Dr Lisa Campbell (clinical research fellow, registered for PhD November 2015, 2 publications)

Dr Wojciech Szubert (clinical research fellow, registered for MD May 2016)

Dr Ibtisam Abokhrais (clinical research fellow, obtained PhD 2019, 2 publications)

Sevi Giakoumelou (obtained PhD 2017, 2 publications)

Vicky Young (registered for PhD 2010, PhD obtained, 5 publications)

Miriam Mgonja (obtained PhD 2011)

Academic representative on South East of Scotland Postgraduate training committee

Member of MRC CRH Postgraduate committee

Personal tutor to medical undergraduates, University of Edinburgh

Educational supervisor to postgraduate doctors in South East of Scotland training programme in Obstetrics and Gynaecology

University of Edinburgh Year 4 Undergraduate Obstetrics and Gynaecology Coordinator

Development of NHS Lothian Multidisciplinary Pelvic Pain Service

 With my colleagues Dr John Wilson (Consultant In Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine) and Dr Robby Steel (Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist), I have established Scotland’s only multidisciplinary pelvic pain Service.  We set up the service in 2010 and we have actively expanded the pelvic pain team to include a Clinical Psychologist (Dr Shona Brown), a Specialist Nurse (Mrs Helen Dewart) and an Acupuncture Therapist (Ms Ooi Thye Chong). The aims of our service are to provide timely access to satisfactory explanations of pain, appropriate evidence based interventions, patient-centred care, and a holistic approach to care including quality of life issues in order to promote the health of women with chronic pelvic pain.   The service has challenged traditional treatments for chronic pelvic pain - introducing novel medical approaches, and evidence-based psychological therapies (including cognitive behavioural therapy). We hold a twice-monthly clinic that includes group appointments with all members of the team and a twice-monthly multidisciplinary meeting.  These sessions are supported by individual appointments with each specialist, and telephone and email access for advice.  We have developed a website (www.exppectedinburgh.co.uk) that offers advice and information for patients and clinicians (including a local referral pathway for GPs) and regular updates on relevant local and international pelvic pain research. We work closely with the Pelvic Pain Support Network (I am a medical advisor).  A recent patient satisfaction audit carried out within the department reported that patients have high levels of satisfaction with the service provided by the team. In particular, the compassion of the staff was praised by respondents, as well as the helpful nature of their work to increase patient understanding of pain. The multidisciplinary nature of the clinic was mentioned as a key benefit by many respondents. The pelvic pain team were shortlisted for a Grunenthal Pain Award and finalists in the Scottish Health Awards in 2013.

Development of the Edinburgh Endometriosis Centre of Expertise

 With the support of my gynaecological consultant colleagues Dr Cameron Martin and Dr Paul Dewart, I have established the second Endometriosis Centre of Expertise in Scotland.  Since opening in 2013, we have obtained provisional BSGE status (http://www.bsge.org.uk/ec-BSGE-provisional-centres.php) and recruited two new surgical consultants, Dr Stuart Jack and Dr Kirsty Munro, to support the service. The team includes a specialist nurse with support from related services (pain medicine, pain psychology, colorectal, urology, integrative medicine).  The aims of the service are to improve the surgical and medical treatment of patients with severe endometriosis. We hold a twice-monthly clinic and a twice-monthly multidisciplinary meeting.   We have developed a website (www.exppectedinburgh.co.uk) that offers advice and information for patients and clinicians and regular updates on relevant local and international endometriosis research. We have a named patient representative that women with endometriosis can contact by email for advice.  We work closely for with Endometriosis UK (I am a medical advisor) and the Scottish parliament to campaign for better care in Scotland for women with endometriosis.