Our Team of Experts
Nabil Haddad FRCOG Consultant Gynaecologist Head of Unit
Nabil Haddad qualified in medicine in Cario in 1976. He trained
in London, Southampton, Liverpool and Edinburgh. In 1989, Nabil was
appointed as a Consultant Gynaecologist in Chester. He developed
the Fertility and Assisted Conception Service and has led this
service since. He was instrumental in pioneering transport IVF and
had the first ever successful baby from that technique in 1990.
Nabil is committed to the provision of total fertility services
and advocates a fitness for fertility approach in order to prepare
couples for treatment and improve successful outcomes. Nabil serves
on many local and national fertility committees, his research is
clinically orientated and he has published on many aspects of
fertility care.
Simon Wood MD FRCOG Consultant Gynaecologist, Sub Specialist in
Reproductive Medicine & Surgery
Simon Wood was appointed as a Consultant in Chester in 2003 and
as well as providing general fertility and assisted conception has
introduced an Andrology (Male infertility) service including a
surgical sperm retrieval service.
After Graduating from Liverpool University in 1990, Simon
undertook his gynaecological training in Merseyside and
subsequently in Manchester before returning to spend more than 5
years at the Hewitt Centre for Reproduction in The Liverpool
Women's Hospital.
After his initial research post he became the first doctor to
undergo sub specialist training in Reproductive Medicine in the
North West and he completed his training in 2002.
His interests are in all aspects of infertility but especially
Male infertility, and in 2004 was awarded his MD thesis for work in
males who do not produce sperm.. He presents regularly at national
and international meetings and is the author of more than 50 papers
and presentations.
Karen Woodcock (Quality Manager/ Advanced Nurse Practitioner)
RGN, RM
Karen joined the service in 1992 and since then has been able to
develop her role and became one of the first nurse specialists
within the trust. Karen qualified as a nurse in 1985 and
subsequently trained as a midwife before taking up her position in
the fertility unit. Karen has subsequently been in the vanguard of
fertility nurses with training at the Universities of Liverpool and
Chester Karen undertook ultrasound and prescribing training and
became one of the first nurses to undertake Oocyte retrievals.
Karen undertakes nurse led clinics for new referrals, follow ups
and patients undergoing assisted conception.
Karen lectures at the University of Liverpool & Chester and
lectures at conferences in the UK and Europe. Karen was a founding
member of the senior Infertility Nurse Group in the UK She has
almost been delighted to be instrumental in the development of the
new assisted conception unit.
Sarah Kerrod (Sister) RGN, RM.
Sarah was appointed Sister in the fertility unit in 2006. She
joined the unit in 2002 having previously worked in the neonatal
Unit at the Countess of Chester. Sarah Qualified as a Nurse in her
native Yorkshire in 1989 before training as a midwife in 1991. Her
interest in fertility started early on in her career when she
worked for a short while in the fertility unit at St James before
moving to Chester.
Hazel Blaxall (Enrolled Nurse)
Hazel joined the service in 2006 and brings a wealth of
experience following a wide and varied career in general nursing
since qualifying in 1979.initially at the Royal infirmary before
moving to the Countess. Hazel has a real interest in the field of
Reproductive Medicine and after many years of general nursing is
enjoying the specialism of this field of nursing.
Jenny Little (REGISTERED GENERAL NURSE)
Jenny joined the service in December 2008 from the cardiology
unit in Arrowe Park where she worked since qualifying in 2003,.She
trained locally at Chester University. She is delighted to return
to Chester and is enthusiastic about the field of Reproductive
Medicine and has enjoyed joining the team.
Embryological Team
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From April 2008 the embryological and seminology services at the
Countess of Chester have been provided by The Hewitt Centre at the
Liverpool Women's Hospital. We are fortunate to have the provision
of a fully trained embryologist every day from a pool of 10
embryologists, who each spend a week at a time at Chester. These
embryologists provide the semen analysis for the fertility clinic
and for the primary care community as well as providing us with a
full range of assisted conception treatments.
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Jo Grice Fertility Counsellor
Joanna was appointed as the fertility unit counsellor in 2005,
prior to this she has gained a wide experience working in the North
East Wales Trust Mental Health Team, Intensive support services,
Family Therapist for a private Fostering Agency, Probation Service
and has worked with substance misusers and families with drug and
alcohol related issues, she has worked as childline counsellor,
relate and Victim Support as well as women's Aid.
Joanna graduated in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Bangor
University before gaining further qualifications including Family
Therapy at the Merseyside Psychotherapy Institute Psychology at the
Open University and a Diploma in Stress Management. Joanna is
currently studying Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
As well as a number of professional organisations Jo is a member
of BICA - British Infertility Counselling Association. Her service
is based on individuality, dignity and trust.
Secretarial / Admin
Samantha Roberts
Samantha has been working as administrator/ medical secretary to
the fertility unit since 2000. She qualified as a medical
secretary, gaining her AMSPAR Diploma in 1987, before working for a
brief time at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital in the surgical
directorate before moving to the gynaecology department at the
Chester Royal Infirmary as medical secretary to Mr Haddad in
December of 1988.
Kathy Brown
Kathy moved to the fertility unit as support clerk in January
2008. She has worked within the trust for 13 years initially as
ward assistant in the neonatal unit before moving to the paediatric
clinic as a clerical officer.