Avanced qualification gives Fertility Consultant the edge
Bath residents struggling to have a baby are embracing the chance to be under the care of a gynaecology consultant with a specialist professional qualification rarely found in the city.
Dr Sarah Armstrong, who runs the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM) clinic at the Sulis Hospital in Peasedown St John, said: “I am in the unique position of holding subspecialist accreditation in reproductive medicine and surgery, which means I can offer my patients expert care in all areas of infertility.
“My subspecialist training in Oxford has equipped me with expertise in all areas of reproductive medicine including male factor infertility, hormone imbalances, and issues such a fibroids, uterine anomalies and endometriosis.
“I am also a researcher and lecturer, and strive to offer my patients compassionate, evidence-based care.
Dr Armstrong is an NHS consultant gynaecologist at St Michael’s Hospital in Bristol and has previously worked at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. She is also a researcher and lectures on fertility issues.
She said: “BCRM treats heterosexual couples, single women and same-sex couples, and during a first consultation in Bath patients can expect me to get to know them and take the time to undertake a comprehensive review of their individual circumstances.
“I will perform an ultrasound scan, review any test results, and discuss treatment options.
“Everyone’s situation is unique to them, so any treatment I suggest will depend on the nature of their particular fertility challenges – but for some people their issues may be resolved after this initial consultation.
“If IVF is recommended, I will explain the process and answer any queries.
“The IVF procedures, including egg retrieval and embryo transfer, will then take place at our state-of-the-art clinic at Aztec West which is very easy to access: close to the M4/M5 junction north of Bristol and has plenty of free parking.
“Once a pregnancy is established, ongoing maternity care will be booked through usual NHS channels.
BCRM consistently has the best IVF success rates in the south west of England and Wales, meaning the clinic ranks as one of the top fertility clinics in the UK.
Data published by the UK's independent regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), revealed that for women aged under 38 BCRM provides the highest chances in Bristol of having a baby with IVF or ICSI treatment, per embryo transferred.
The Bath BCRM clinic is housed in the Sulis Hospital (formerly Circle Bath Hospital) on Foxcote Avenue, Peasedown St John. Further information is available from www.fertilitybristol.com/our-clinic/satellite-clinics/bath and contact the BCRM Patient Advisors to book appointments on 0117 2591159.
