Team
Patients seek infertility treatment and advice for one reason – to help them become pregnant. Many factors contribute to a clinic's ability to help patients achieve successful pregnancies, but after the age and physical wellbeing of the client couple, the single greatest factor is the skill and competence of the treatment team.
At Origin, we are proud of our excellent team of highly qualified consultants and embryologists, and of our caring, friendly and supportive network of skilled nurses, counsellors and receptionists.
There is considerable evidence that stress can have an impact on fertility. For many couples assisted conception can be the end of a long and difficult journey of trying to conceive and this is often an emotional and trying time. As we work in partnership with our patients towards achieving a successful pregnancy, our counsellor is part of that team, helping to reduce patient stress and improve mental wellbeing as part of the treatment process. Although not compulsory we strongly recommend that patients avail of the counselling service as we believe that it makes a valuable contribution to treatment.
meet our team:
Managing Director
Jenny Hall
Jenny Hall was a founder member of Nottingham University Research and Treatment Centre in Reproduction (NURTURE). She practiced embryology there from 1991 to 1999 and gained experience in all areas of infertility management. She also worked as an embryologist in Leicester and in Rome, and has conducted extensive research on male factor infertility. Jenny returned home to Belfast in 1999 and has a passionate commitment to the provision of fertility treatment in Northern Ireland. The opening of Origin marked the culmination of a four-year project to set up a private IVF unit in Northern Ireland.
Clinical Director
Dr Noel Heasley
Dr Noel Heasley has joined Origin as Clinical Director. Noel has almost 25 years experience as a consultant in Northern Ireland. He worked as a senior lecturer/consultant in Belfast teaching hospitals and was part of the IVF team at that time.He later moved on to join the NHS as a gynaecologist in Craigavon Area Hospital with special interest in infertility. He was responsible for establishing an area infertility clinic and providing services including ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination. He was the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) ”Person Responsible” for the Clinic in Craigavon Hospital . We are confident that with his long experience of dealing with infertile couples Dr Heasley’s appointment will strengthen the clinical team and greatly enhance our plans to develop the services we offer at Origin.
Full Time Senior Clinician
Dr Efstathios Diakos
Efstathios has recently joined Origin as a Senior Clinician. A native of Athens, Greece, Efstathios obtained his Medical Degree from the University of Rome “La Sapienza” in 1994. He undertook training in general Obstetrics and Gynaecology partly in Greece and partly in the United Kingdom and entered the GMC “Specialist Register” in 2004. He has been working in Reproductive Medicine field since 2004. In 2006 he was appointed as Consultant Gynaecologist, Fertility Specialist at Bourn Hall Clinic, Cambridge the world’s first and most famous fertility clinic. Founded by Nobel Prize winner and IVF treatment pioneer, Professor Robert Edwards, Bourn Hall produced the first IVF baby, Louise Brown, in July 1978. Efstathios’ passion for fertility care, experience and vision for the future, is a welcome addition to Origin and will undoubtedly enhance Origin’s current service offerings.
Clinic Manager
Julie Hinks
Julie has over 15 years experience as a fertility nurse specialist, working in Bristol until 2010 as the Clinic Nurse Manager. She has an extended role performing ultrasound scans and embryo transfers. Part of her role is to extend the role of the nurses at Origin in similar skills and to review the current operating processes.
Fertility Specialist
Dr Gillian Williamson
Fertility Specialist
Dr Thomas Tang
Fertility Specialist
Prof Neil McClure
Embryology team:
Embryology Manager
Richard Fawthrop
Richard joins Origin to head up the Embryology team. Richard has a wealth of experience in the fertility field and has been working for over 17 years at both private and NHS clinics throughout the UK. He is fully state registered with the Health Professional Council and is a Diplomat of the Royal College of Pathologists. Richard's main role at Origin will be to oversee the day to day embryology activity within the clinic.
Consultant Embryologist
Dr Steve Green
Dr Steve Green has been practicing as a clinical embryologist since 1980 . Steve has been recognised for his work in emrbyology for achieving the world's first pregnancy and delivery after simultaneous sperm and egg transfer to the uterine cavity in 1981, the first UK IVF twins in 1982, the first UK IVF triplets in 1984 and the first pregancy and delivery after using computer image selected sperm in 1995. In most recent years, he has devoted much of his effort to the treatment of male factor infertility. With over 70 publications and book chapters to his credit, Steve brings a wealth of experience and a passion to deliver the best possible treatment for couples suffering from infertility and his main role in Origin will be to develop and expand the services currently being offered.
Nursing Team:
Nurse Manager
Joan Duffy
Deputy Nurse Manager
Jenny Fry
Fertility Nurse
Sandra Sloss
Bank Fertility Nurse
Gillian Ballantine
Bank Fertility Nurse
Karen Montgomery
Healthcare Assistant
Lee Coyle
Counsellor:
Counselling Psychologist
Patricia McCrystal
Patricia is a Counselling Psychologist and Accredited Counsellor with a strong background in both the NHS and corporate sector. She studied at Queens’ University, Trinity College, University of Roehampton and University of Ulster. She has run clinics in both the Royal Group of Hospitals and Musgrave Park Hospital and currently provides a psychological service to a range of public and private sector clients. Patricia played a key role in establishing the counselling service at Origin and continues to manage this.
Administration Team:
Administration & Quality Team Leader
Judith Evans
Senior Administrator
Ruth Henderson
Administrator
Lynn Pavis
Administrator
Janet Armstrong
Management Support Executive
Zarah Akilagun-Thompson
Facilities Officer
Paul Whitcombe
