Obstetricians - gynaecologists of Cigna

Professional statement

Dr Simona Cicero is a consultant in fetal medicine at the Homerton University Hospital. She graduated with Honours from the School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia (Italy), and then came to London to work for five years as a clinical research fellow in fetal medicine under the supervision of Professor Kypros Nicolaides at King’s College Hospital. During this time Dr Cicero was involved in assessing and developing new markers for Down’s syndrome, and in the screening and prevention of preterm delivery and pre-eclampsia. She was subsequently awarded a PhD in Fetal Medicine, with Honours. Over the years she has taught new scanning techniques on antenatal screening for aneuploidy, both in the UK and internationally, including some of the most prestigious university hospitals in the US. Dr Cicero has dual sub-specialist accreditation in both obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine. Her main academic interest is screening for chromosomal abnormalities, screening for pre-eclampsia and pre-term delivery, and she has contributed to over 40 peer-reviewed publications. Simona is the North Thames Specialty Lead for reproductive health and childbirth, for the National Institute for Health Research – Clinical Research Network (NIHR CRN).

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Professional statement

Mr Christian Barnick is both an obstetrician and gynaecologist, with over 30 years of experience working in leading London teaching hospitals. He works privately and in the NHS, and sees women with a wide range of gynaecological issues and problems. Where appropriate he performs advanced specialist keyhole surgery. Mr Barnick has established and runs an accredited tertiary referral centre for advanced endometriosis. He also provides a comprehensive package of antenatal care and delivery at the Portland Hospital. With over 30 years experience of both normal and complex obstetrics, Mr Barnick is able to support natural birth and also to manage all obstetric emergencies. Provision of up to date, unbiased, evidence-based information and shared decision making is key to his approach.

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Professional statement

Ms Charlotte Chaliha is a leading obstetrician and gynaecologist in London. She graduated in physiological sciences from St Anne's College, Oxford, and in medicine from Selwyn College, Cambridge. She had dual accreditation in obstetrics and gynaecology as well as higher sub-specialist training in urogynaecology and a fellowship in uro-neurology. Ms Chaliha's area of expertise lies in postpartum pelvic floor problems, postpartum perineal trauma such as anal sphincter damage, vaginal prolapse, bladder pain, recurrent urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence. Her MD thesis was based on the: "Risk factors and causes of trauma to the pelvic floor during childbirth." She has a particular expertise in this area and has developed a specialist clinic for at the Royal London Hospital for women with childbirth-related problems such as urinary or faecal incontinence and perineal pain. In 2007 she was appointed as a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with a special interest in pelvic floor disorders at The Royal London Hospital. She has been lead urogynaecologist since 2013 for Barts Health NHS Trust and is the lead gynaecologist at the Royal London Hospital. Ms Chaliha has authored numerous chapters and publications covering all aspects of pelvic floor investigation, surgery and pelvic floor damage related to childbirth. She has extensive obstetrics experience in high risk obstetrics and covers both NHS and private births. She has co-authoured the popular pregnancy book " the Contented Pregnancy" with the popular author Gina Ford. Ms Chaliha co-leads one of only two nationally accredited pelvic floor services in the UK, integrating the management of bowel, bladder and pelvic floor dysfunction. Her expertise in this clinic is in the management of pelvic floor prolapse, constipation, urinary and faecal incontinence. Ms Chaliha provides expert evidence for the courts in England and Wales on behalf of claimants and defendants in personal injury and clinical negligence actions. She has obtained the Bond Solon Cardiff University Expert Witness Certificate and completes around 50 medico-legal reports per year.

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Professional statement

Mr David Ogutu is an expert consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist and skilled gynaecological surgeon, primarily based in North London (Enfield), Hertfordshire and Essex, with an additional practice in Central London. He is the Medical director at Herts and Essex Fertility Centre, one of the UKs most prestigious and successful IVF clinics. Mr Ogutu has specialist interest in fertility and minimal access surgery (laparoscopic surgery). An advanced gynaecology ultrasound practitioner, he offers timely diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of gynaecological conditions. He is actively involved in fertility research and education, frequently presenting his work at international and national conferences. He is passionate about patient management, striving to provide comprehensive care of the highest standard for all. Mr Ogutu is recognised by all major UK health insurance companies. 

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Professional statement

Ms Premila Thampi is an expert consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist based in Milton Keynes and has more than 20 years of experience in her field. Ms Thampi performs a wide range of gynaecological procedures, which she has practised countless times, and she is especially well known for her skills in minimal access surgery, such as laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. Ms Thampi also specialises in pelvic pain, abnormal periods, fibroids and ovarian cysts.  Ms Premila Thampi completed her medical training in Chennai, India before obtaining her fellowship from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the UK. Further to this, Ms Thampi has a Masters in Medical Ultrasound. As well as her lengthy medical experience, Ms Thampi has been involved in education, with numerous teaching posts held in London universities, such as her time spent as a Clinical Lecturer at St Georges University. Currently, Ms Thampi teaches undergraduate students at Buckingham Medical School.  Ms Thampi is a skilled physician and carries out more than 30 major open operations each year, including complex prolapse repairs and hysterectomies. Ms Thampi also carries out these procedures laparoscopically and uses techniques of minimal access surgery for numerous gynaecological problems. 

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Professional statement

Mr Mahantesh Karoshi is a London-based women’s health expert and consultant gynaecologist, with a special interest in ovarian cysts, heavy menstrual bleeding, infertility, fibroids, and adenomyosis. He is currently one of the most highly-rated gynaecologists in London with a very good repuation amongst his patients and peers. Mr Karoshi's work is recognised internationally, having volunteered in Ethiopia’s Gimbie Hospital, and later receiving the Bernhard Baron Travelling Fellowship from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists which led to his work in the University of Buenos Aires. Here he worked on the techniques needed to surgically manage morbidly adherent placental disorders - a serious condition that can occur in women with multiple caesarean sections. He believes in an open doctor-patient relationship, being sure to include the patient and educating them so that they understand their condition better and they can be directly involved in their care and management at every stage. Aside from his clinical work, he is actively involved in research, which together with his experience, has given him the opportunity to publish the first stand-alone textbook on postpartum haemorrhage which was launched by HRH Princess Anne. At the core of Mr Karoshi's practice is a high standard of professionalism where patients are involved in their treatment and where the latest techniques and advancements are used to provide an extremely high level of care.

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Professional statement

Mr Stuart Lavery is a leading London-based gynaecologist. Specialising in fertility and reproductive medicine, he practices at various prominent clinics in the capital including Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's hospitals. Mr Stuart Lavery serves on international advisory boards for the pharmaceutical industry and has presented his research work at numerous international and national meetings. He is committed to education and training serving as Honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College and he has authored more than 30 publications. Mr Lavery is the official spokesman for the British Fertility Society and plays an active role in a myriad other professional bodies including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

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Professional statement

Mr Rajendra "Raj" Rai is a highly-regarded obstetrician and gynaecologist based at St Mary's Hospital and Harley Street in London. He is an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London - the result of a life of academic excellence. He won a scholarship for the St Thomas Hospital Medical School, from which he graduated in 1988, and in 1999 he was awarded an MD. Mr Rai teaches and lectures both nationally and internationally, and is the Chief Investigator of the Promise study - a £1.2 million placebo-controlled trial, involving progesterone in the treatment of recurrent miscarriage, funded by the Department of Health. He specialises in pregnancy, fertility treatment and recurrent miscarriage.

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Professional statement

Mr Stewart Disu is a leading consultant gynaecologist at the Northwest London Hospitals NHS Trust, who specialises in minimal access surgery, endometriosis, pelvic pain, ovarian cysts, fibroids, hysterectomy surgery and laparoscopic myomectomy. He co-leads a national endometriosis centre at Northwick Park and Central Middlesex Hospitals and practises privately from various locations around London.  Mr Disu completed his post-graduate training at St Mary’s Hospital in London and qualified as an accredited colposcopist in 2006. He completed his post-graduate training in advanced laparoscopic surgery at the Imperial Healthcare Trust in 2011.

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