Professor Mark S Whiteley is an internationally recognised expert in venous diseases including pelvic congestion syndrome related to pelvic venous disorders. He is one of the authors on the recent International Consensus Document on Pelvic Congestion Syndrome from the UIP.

Mark performed the first endovenous surgery for varicose veins in the UK in MArch 1999 and started researching pelvic venous disorders in 2000. He set up The Whiteley Clinic as a centre of excellence in venous disorders in 2002 and The College of Phlebology to share his knowledge with patients and other healthcare professionals in 2011.

In 2019 he set up The College of Phlebology International Registry so that doctors who join can benchmark their results against other doctors doing the same procedures, and patients can see which medical professionals are getting acceptable results from their treatments.

Mark continues to work to bring new ideas and technology to venous patients, to improve results and get the best outcomes possible.

Emma Cumberbatch is the Director of Scanassure – an accredited NHS Business Partner who has been supplying GP community ultrasound diagnostics since 2009. In addition, a full range of ultrasound diagnostics is available for self-funding patients. Health assurance screenings are available for the whole family including blood tests and body ultrasound imaging. The additional fertility support service helps couples on their journey into parenthood. Kivisi’s clients have been using Emma’s services for over 12 years!

Reproductive malignancies – earlier detection, better outcomes Hopefully, it’s only age or stress causing those symptoms, but don’t simply ignore them. It’s not just those with the BRCA gene who are at risk of reproductive malignancies. Everyone needs to be aware of their own risk and find out about the symptoms that could indicate an abnormality. Catching something early means having a better outcome.

Dr Kostic graduated University in 2002. He specialized as an Obstetrician Gynecologist in 2008 and worked in Budapest until 2011. He then left for Ireland and came to the UK in 2012. He has worked as a consultant Gynecologist since 2017 and is employed by the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. His current role is to lead the Cancer Exclusion Clinic. Since the beginning of his career he has had a special interest in Minimal Invasive Surgery.

Advances in reproductive medicine have helped save many lives and given hope to couples facing fertility issues. Scans, tests and treatments are routinely offered or undertaken. But sometimes they can create halachic complications. Pregnancy itself also carries potential problems which have halachic ramifications. Knowing when to consult with a Rov is vital for any pregnant woman and those considering any fertility test or intervention.
Mr Adler trained in Israel as a clinical case analyst carrying out research covering Gynaecology Obstetrics and Reproductive medicine. After qualifying in the UK as a counsellor/psychotherapist, his skill combination led to the establishment of CCA-UK ltd, a unique patient led approach to infertility treatments. CCA-UK has partnered with many high end clinics and organisations to provide tailored treatment programs in the most efficient way possible. Apart from maintaining a private practice, Mr Adler is passionate about Medical ethics and Halachic implications in medical treatments, lecturing regularly and acting as an advocate to give a voice to those with Religious requirements in medical treatments.

There’s a Simcha on the horizon, then pregnancy loss turns happy anticipation into sadness. Sometimes there are underlying causes, while other times miscarriage seems to occur at random. Sometimes it’s early, but it can happen well into a pregnancy. Whatever the circumstances, it brings disappointment, distress, and even depression. But what if there was something we could do to reduce the risk?

Dr. Mohiyiddeen is a consultant gynecologist and an accredited subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery. She has been a consultant at St.Mary’s hospital since 2013 and is the lead for their recurrent miscarriage service. She has clinical interests in the management of subfertility, assisted conception, recurrent implantation failure, and recurrent miscarriage. She is involved in research and has published widely both in journals and books. She is an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Manchester.

The relationships a kalla has and sees can make a big difference to the way she views and approaches marriage. The relationship between the kalla and her mother, the kalla and her teacher, and her parents’ own relationship, all influence her future. Providing positivity in relationships and education can be the greatest wedding present you can give, and you can never start too early.

A daughter of Rabbi and Rebbetzin Twerski of Milwaukee, Mrs Yocheved Weiss grew up watching her parents counsel and help countless people. She trained as a kalla teacher in 1990 and has since taught hundreds of kallos, including some from the next generation! Her advice is frequently sought in marriage-related issues and, due to the demand for her services, she has now trained ten more kalla teachers in the community. 

Other families keep growing while you or someone close to you struggles with infertility. Other people share their challenges, while you remain silent because your problem is sensitive and private. Inevitably, it can feel like a very lonely journey. But you are always accompanied by Hashem. Find out how you can strengthen that connection and let Hashem share your burden.

Rabbi Mordechai Ginsbury has been Rav of the Hendon United Synagogue, London, for over twenty years. He was previously Rav of the Prestwich Hebrew Congregation in Manchester from 1985 – ‘98. He learned in Yeshivas Be’er Yaakov, Israel, Gateshead Yeshiva and Liverpool Kollel. He is also Director of P’eir (Promoting Excellence In Rabbis) and Principal of Hasmonean Primary School in Hendon.

HRT: Is it for me?

Building Better Bones: Reduce your risk of osteoporosis and fracture

Although osteoporosis is usually treated with medication, bone health is heavily influenced by diet and lifestyle. It’s never too early or too late to work on strengthening your bones. Starting young can help prevent osteoporosis in later life and those with osteoporosis can reduce their risk of fractures. Begin building better bones by learning what to do.

Caroline Jagger qualified as an adult Nurse in 2001, and converted the diploma to a degree specialising in orthopaedics. She worked as a nurse on the orthopaedic ward for 6 years looking after patients, some of whom had fallen and broken their hips.  This sparked an interest in finding out how this happened and led her to complete her Master’s degree and apply for the osteoporosis-linked position in Manchester, where she has been employed since 2007.  She is an independent prescriber and has a teaching qualification which allows her to treat patients independently.  As part of her job she attends the menopause clinic, working and developing her knowledge around all aspects of the menopause.

Is PCOS taking over your life? Advice for managing PCOS

With routine and diagnostic screening via the NHS on hold due to Covid-19, those worrying symptoms can’t be investigated. Nobody wants to leave something potentially serious or prolong their anxiety. ‘Going private’ looks like the only way forward so, inevitably, medical insurance is getting more interest. But who and what can medical insurance cover?

Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Rabbi Sofer moved to Manchester in 2007 where he founded Misaskim and the Beis Yisroel Shul. As well as being the Rov of Beis Yisroel, he also took over from the late Rabbi Yehuda Brodie as a member of the Manchester Beth Din, where his role includes overseeing Gitten. Rabbi Sofer is a chosson teacher too, complementing his other roles and reflecting his communal interests.

How much do you know about the miraculous process behind fertility? Learn about fertility generally, what causes subfertility and what can be done to boost fertility. Whether you’re experiencing sub-fertility (secondary fertility) or you know somebody else who is, this lecture will enhance your appreciation and help you understand what others might be going through.

Dr David Polson qualified at St. Marys, London in 1980, he held a 2 years’ post in Reproductive Endocrinology and pioneered the use of ultrasound in recognition of PCOS. He subsequently spent 21 years as Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Salford Royal and developed his interest in investigation and management of recurrent miscarriage.