Article
Lifestyle medicine: How prehab and health optimisation can improve surgery outcomes
Undergoing surgery can be daunting, but did you know that what you do before going under t...
Dr Rebecca Ellard
MBBS, BSc, PGCME
GMC: 7271776Professional statement
Dr Rebecca Ellard is an NHS General Practitioner based in Cambridgeshire, accredited in Lifestyle Medicine, and the founder of Ellard Health, a GP-led perioperative health optimisation service. She helps people prepare for surgery and recover well by combining evidence-based lifestyle medicine with professional health coaching. The aim is for the changes she recommends to last, rather than just being advised.
The weeks before an operation are a powerful window for change. Dr Ellard supports patients across the areas that most influence surgical outcomes: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress and mood, and preparing their home and support network. Alongside this, she helps optimise long-term conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and chronic pain. Her approach is holistic, structured and tailored to each person, and it addresses both physical and psychological health. The goal is for patients to go into surgery stronger and to recover with confidence.
Her years in general practice have given her a deep understanding of how health, work, family and wellbeing affect one another. She takes the time to understand the whole person, not just the procedure. She offers a range of tailored perioperative packages, both in person and remotely. Please get in touch to discuss packages or to book a free 15-minute discovery call.
Dr Ellard studied Medicine at Barts and the London Medical School (2007–2012) after completing a BSc in Biomedical Sciences at the University of East Anglia (2004–2007). She gained her RCGP in 2019 and since then has continued studying, completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education at the University of Cambridge and holding the RCGP Eating Disorders Credential. She has undertaken further postgraduate training in lifestyle medicine, sexual and reproductive health, intrauterine techniques and cosmetic dermatology. She is a Member of the Medical Protection Society and maintains active engagement in professional development and clinical governance.
Dr Ellard is the GP Clinical Lead at Priors Field Surgery and has previously worked as Clinical Lead for Adult Eating Disorders within community mental health services. She is actively involved in regional medical education across the East of England, teaching GP registrars and medical students, and delivering training on medical monitoring in eating disorders. Her work has contributed to nationally recognised service improvement, including a Clinical Team of the Year Award, reflecting her leadership, clinical expertise and commitment to high standards of care.
Clinics
Virtual consultation
Cambridge, UK, CambridgeMedical insurances accepted
Credentials
Professional experience
- 13 years of experience
Subspecialties
- Lifestyle medicine
- Coaching
Professional memberships
- Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP)
- Medical Protection Society (MPS)
Education
- Lifestyle medicine accreditation (2025)
- Registrar and Medical Student Teaching in General practice
Teaching posts
- Regional Teaching on Medical Monitoring, NHS East of England
- GP Registrar and Medical Student Teaching, Suffolk Adult Eating Disorders Service (AEDS) and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Foundation Trust (CPFT) AEDS
Positions in organisations
- GP Clinical Lead, Priors Field Surgery
Prizes and awards
- Clinical Team of the Year Award, Suffolk Adult Eating Disorders Service (AEDS) (2024)
- Shortlisted for the Community Mental Health Improvement Award, RCGP Annual Awards (2024)
Languages spoken
- English
Registration number: 7271776
Content
Health content
Downloads
Your recovery roadmap — Ellard Health.pdf
Women-specific considerations for surgery — Ellard Health.pdf
Why prepare for surgery.pdf
The substances question — Ellard Health.pdf
The impact of stress on your surgery — Ellard Health.pdf
Supplements and surgery — Ellard Health.pdf
Stress and mental resillience — Ellard Health.pdf
Sleep and recovery — Ellard Health.pdf
Proton recovery phase
Practical checklist for women preparing for surgery — Ellard Health.pdf
Part 4: Managing your period during and around surgery — Ellard Health.pdf
Nourish your body — Ellard Health.pdf
Move with purpose — Ellard Health.pdf
Ligamental laxity and how your cycle affects your joints — Ellard Health.pdf
Ellard Health women's surgery preparation guide — Ellard Health.pdf
Connection matters — Ellard Health.pdf
Anaemia — Ellard Health.pdf
Stop counting, start noticing: why calories aren't the whole story — Ellard Health.pdf
Creatine and surgery: the nutritional case for peri-operative support — Ellard Health.pdf
Other information
Reviews
All reviews are from real patients and have been verified by our Customer Service department to ensure they meet our guidelines. Rules of the service
- Would you recommend this doctor?
- Treatment of the doctor
- Treatment of the staff
- Waiting time
- Condition of facilities
- I recently had the opportunity to have lifestyle coaching with Dr Ellard and the experience was overwhelmingly positive. From the very beginning, what stood out most was how attentively she listened. Rather than rushing to conclusions or offering generic advice, she created space for me to fully express my thoughts, challenges, and goals. Every concern I raised felt acknowledged and taken seriously, which immediately built a sense of trust and comfort. I would highly recommend her.
- I recently completed five life and career coaching sessions with Dr Ellard and found them incredibly valuable. As both a GP and a coach, she brings a warm, thoughtful, and understanding approach to each session. The sessions were really productive and gave me the space to reflect on my goals while also identifying practical next steps. I came away with much greater clarity and confidence about my direction, both professionally and personally. I would highly recommend her coaching.
- I chose to do coaching with Rebecca on my journey to improving my fitness and wellbeing as I found her values matched exactly what I was looking for. She has been great at helping set realistic goals that I can truly achieve and maintain with my busy life. I would totally recommend Rebecca to anyone!Doctor's response -It has been a pleasure working with you on your journey to get back into fitness. I wish you all the best as you start your journey
- I cannot recommend Rebecca and her coaching highly enough. She has an amazing way of creating a very calm and safe space instantly and I felt so at ease. She helped me focus on my goals and priorities over several weeks and guided me to make the sustainable and healthy changes to my life that I had been previously unable to manage by myself. I feel far more in control of all areas of my life which brought the balance I needed. I feel such a huge improvement in my overall wellbeing xDoctor's response -It has been a pleasure working with you and to see your development. I wish you all the best in the future.