Having been born in Bury, schooled in Bolton and being a lifelong fan of Burnley FC I was pleased to return to the region from Yorkshire to take up my post as Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Tameside Hospital in 1998.
My clinical interests are around benign gynaecology including the management of pelvic and vulval pain, colposcopy and hysteroscopic (keyhole surgery) techniques for the management of menstrual problems. My research interests are centred on evidence based medicine and this includes being an editor of the Cochrane Menstrual Disorders and Subfertility Group.
I was Chairman of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialist Training Committee from 2007 in the Deanery having been Programme Director for a number of years prior to that. In 2010 I became the first Head of School of Obstetrics and Gynaecology in this Deanery. I stepped down from this to become an Associate Dean in 2013. I continue to oversee the clinical aspects of training of all NIHR badged academic trainees in HEENW. I work with the Universities of Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester in this role.
I was Chairman of the Specialty Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG). This is the Committee that sets and monitors national standards in training in the specialty. I remain an examiner for the MRCOG.
I 2018 I took up the role of Deputy Dean for Quality. I work with an excellent Quality Team at HEE North supporting the monitoring and improving of Quality of clinical training (multiprofessional) throughout the region.