The contributors listed below are the authors of all the medicdirect content. Unlike many other health information resources where the medical consultants merely review content written by third parties, each author is contractually obliged to review and, where necessary, update their content every 3 months. All updates are then reviewed by the medicdirect Editorial Board before being implemented on the website.

It is a primary principle of the medicdirect ethos that the medicdirect content is written by practising UK medical specialists experienced at the highest level in their particular field of traditional medicine, dentistry, complementary medicine, sports, fitness and nutrition. The majority of the contributors work in the UK's leading teaching hospitals and are therefore providing on a daily basis not only health advice to patients but also practical and academic education services to medical students, nurses, GP's and hospital doctors.

Biographies - Medical

Mrs Laura Abbott RGN, RM, BA, BSc( Hons ) trained as a general nurse at St.Bartholomews in London and practised for 5 years before training to be a midwife at The University of Hertfordshire. She is passionate about normal midwifery and specialises in natural birth. She has a particular interest in waterbirth , homebirth and active birth.

Mr Shakeel Akhtar . BDS, FDSRCS( Eng), MB ChB, FRCS(OMFS) , is a Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon at Royal Preston & Blackpool Victoria Hospitals . Specialising in the treatment of Head & Neck Cancer and Facial Reconstructive Surgery

Mr Christopher Aldren FRCS is a Consultant Otologist at Wexham Park Hospital , Slough specializing in ear surgery. He runs an annual international ear surgery training course and is a guest lecturer on other courses. He has a special interest in middle ear reconstructive surgery in particular stapes surgery for otosclerosis and ossicular reconstruction for hearing loss.

Mr Omar Ali BSc ( Hons ), Pharm Dip Clin Pharm , MRPHarmS , ACCP . Qualified with a hospital pharmacy background and currently working as a Formulary Advisor to Surrey & Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Omar is also Prescribing Consultant Pharmacist to Primary Care. Currently involved in Nurse Prescribing & British Heart Foundation Training at a National Level, he is an Executive Board Member of the National Obesity Forum

Dr Nic Anfilogoff MRCP is a GP trainer in a large general practice in Birmingham . He has a special interest in postgraduate education and is the Clinical Sub-Dean in the Department of General Practice at the University of Birmingham .

Ms Sarah Austin BSC ( Hons ) RGN DPSN Respiratory Nurse Specialist Chest Clinic Acute Worcester Trust.

Mrs Pat Bacon SRD Dip Ad Diet is a General Practice Dietician in West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust. She has extensive experience in many areas of dietetics with a special interest in coronary heart disease and obesity.

Ms Sylvia Baddeley qualified as a midwife in 1974. She lectures locally, nationally, and internationally, on exercise during pregnancy. She was the midwifery advisor for YMCA's pregnancy and post-natal fitness video, ""Before and After "", and has lectured at the International Congress Of Midwives in the Hague , Vancouver , Oslo , Japan , and the Philippines .

Dr Helen Beaumont is a GP, working part time in Solihull with special interests in complementary medicine and women's health . She started her homeopathic training in 1995 in Oxford , gained her MFHom and now is a tutor. She has a thriving private homeopathic practice and has continued studying in UK , Greece and India with internationally renowned homeopaths.

Mr David Anthony Bowdler is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at University Hospital Lewisham, South East London. He is doubly qualified in general surgery and ENT surgery. He has been a Consultant Surgeon at Lewisham since 1989 and is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer to UMDS. He has developed a special interest in otology, in particular chronic ear disease and middle ear reconstruction, including otosclerosis . He also has a particular interest in the complexities of chronic disease, from glue ear through to cholesteatoma in children. He has lectured and written extensively in this area, both in the UK and the Continent.  

Mr John Campbell FRCS is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at Birmingham Heartlands Teaching Hospital with a special interest in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Mr Richard Cartmill , FRCOG, is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Good Hope Hospital , Sutton Coldfield. He has a special interest in menopause and minimal invasive gynaecological operations. He is also a Regional Tutor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and a hospital Postgraduate Tutor.

Dr Ann Chapman DTM&H MD MRCP is a Consultant Physician in Infectious Disease at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital , Sheffield . Her main research interests are the early detection of TB and travel health.

Dr Anthony Choules , BM BSc MRCPCH , is a Consultant Paediatrician at Queen's Hospital, Burton-upon-Trent and a Clinical Tutor at the University of Leicester . He has extensive experience in neonatology and paediatric intensive care. He is currently developing his interest in respiratory paediatrics and is involved with the regional development of care for children with epilepsy.

Mr Richard Cobb, MS, FRCS, is a Consultant Colorectal Surgeon at Birmingham Heartlands Teaching Hospital. He has extensive experience in managing bowel cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as taking an active role in postgraduate education and research.

Mr Jim Cook MD FRCS is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at Leicester Royal Infirmary. He is the Director of Leicester Balance Centre.

Dr Edward Cooke MB ChB DLO ,GP Principal Dudley Health Authority. Hospital Practitioner at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital . Advisor to Dudley Area Health Authority. He has over 30 years GP and ENT experience with a special interest in medico-legal problems.

Ms Anna M Cosgrove RGN, BSc ( Hons ) Specialist Nurse Practitioner in Occupational Health. Currently studying for MSc in Occupational Health.

Professor Garth Cruickshank, PhD, FRCS, is Professor of Neurosurgery at University Hospital , Birmingham . His special interests are tumours and vascular abnormalities of the brain. He has extensive research interests in both clinical and basic science and is known internationally for his research.

Dr Sean Cummings, LL.M, MRCGP, is a General Practitioner in a large London practice. He has a particular interest in treatment of substance misuse and the health of the gay community.

Dr.Avi Dhariwall , Consultant and Programme Director in Old age Psychiatry of Northern Birmingham Mental Health Trust.

Mr Simon Dodds MA ,MS,FRCS ( gen ) is a Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Good Hope Hospital NHS Trust in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands . He trained in surgery in Wessex and his MS thesis was on computer modelling the haemodynamics of occlusive arterial disease. He was appointed a consultant surgeon in 1999 and his clinical and research interests include arterial and venous haemodynamics , telemedicine and the development of computer based clinical decision support and training tools ..

Mr Adrian Drake-Lee PhD FRCS is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at the University Hospital Trust Birmingham and at Birmingham Childrens Hospital . He has written extensively on rhinology and paediatric ENT disease.

Dr Chris Ellis, DTM&H, FRCP, is a Consultant in Infectious Disease at Birmingham Heartlands Teaching Hospital. He has a special interest in all types of infectious disease and meningitis and is an examiner for the Royal College of Physicians both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

Dr Chris Fegan , MD, MRCPath , FRCP is a Consultant Haematologist at Birmingham Heartlands Teaching Hospital. He has a special interest in oncological diseases of the blood. As well as having extensive research interests he is also on the editorial board of two journals and examines at national level.

Ms Kate Fernyhough MCSP SRP , is a Chartered and State Registered Physiotherapist, and qualified Pilates instructor. She runs a Private Practice in Staffordshire. She has a specific interest in the management of chronic low back pain, and rehabilitative exercise, and is trained in the management of vertigo. She is presently undertaking a MSc in Equine Science, and working with Hartpury College to further develop the ""Rider Performance"" facilities.

  Ms Kay Fisher MSc BSc MCSP SRP , is a Chartered Physiotherapist working privately in Garston, Liverpool . She also works with Widnes Vikings Rugby League Team. She has a special interest in dynamic stability of the lumbar spine having completed some research on this for her Masters Degree in Sports Injury and Therapy.

Miss C J Fortey BSc( Hons ) POD.SRCH.MCHS , (1993) State Registered Chiropodist and Podiatrist with a special interest in biomechanics and sport injuries.

Mr Michael Foster DM FRCS ( Urol ) , is a Consultant Urologist at Good Hope Hospital , Sutton Coldfield, where he is also the Clinical Director of the Department of Surgery. He is interested in Men's Health issues, particularly prostate disorders and the surgical aspects of erectile dysfunction.

Dr Iain Foulds , FRCP, MFOM RCP, is a Consultant Dermatologist at the Skin Centre, City Hospital , Birmingham . He has a special interest in industrial related dermatological diseases and has written extensively in his specialty.

Dr Tony Ganado, FRCA , was a Consultant Anaesthetist at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital with a special interest in chronic pain management. Sadly he died in 2003.

Dr Ian Geh , MRCP, FRCR, is a Consultant Radio-Oncologist based at the University Hospital Birmingham. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer in cancer studies. His special research interests are bowel and urological cancer.

Professor Michael Gleeson, BSc PhD , is Professor of Exercise Biochemistry at the University of Loughborough 's School of Sport and Exercise Sciences. His research interests include, overtraining in athletes and the effects of nutrition on exercise metabolism, performance and immune function.

Professor Ian A Greer MD FRCP( Glas ) FRCP(Ed) FRCP ( London ) FRCOG MFFP is the Regius Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Head of the Division of Developmental Medicine at the University of Glasgow and Consultant at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. His clinical and research interests are in high risk pregnancy particularly medical disorders in pregnancy.

Dr Tabitha Grumett MB ChB DRCOG is a part time General Practitioner with a special interest in family health.

Mr Mark Hamlet FRCS ( Orth ) is a Consultant in Trauma and Orthopaedics at Queen's Hospital, Burton on Trent. He specialises in shoulder and knee surgery.

Professor Richard Harrington, MD, Mphil, FCPsych , Professor of Child Psychiatry, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. He was an international figure in the world of paediatric and adolescent psychiatry. Sadly Richard died in May 2004

Dr Andrew Hartley MRCP, FRCR is a Consultant Oncologist at University Hospital Trust with a special interest in head and neck cancer.

Dr Roger Hawkes MB Dip. Sports Med. (Scottish Royal Colleges) is a Sports Physician at BUPA Little Aston. He is the Medical Advisor to the PGA of Europe and looks after medical arrangement on the PGA European Tour and for the Ryder Cup. In the NHS he has set up a Back Pain Clinic, and Exercise on Prescription Service in Tamworth . He lectures on the education courses for the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine.

Dr John Henderson, MRCP, FRCR, is a Consultant Radiologist at Birmingham Heartlands Teaching Hospital. He has a special interest in interventional radiology.

Mr Simon Hickey MB ChB FRCS ( Otol ) Consultant ENT Surgeon with a specialist interest in endoscopic nasal surgery at Torbay Hospital , South Devon . Trained at Charing Cross Hospital , The Royal Brompton and St Thomas ' Hospital, London and Groteschur Hospital , Cape Town . Tutor in Nasal and Sinus anatomy at the Royal College of Surgeons of England .

Mr John Hill FRCS FRCS Ed , currently works at the Freeman Hospital , Newcastle upon Tyne as a Consultant ENT Surgeon. His special areas of interest are Otology and Skull Base Surgery including Pituitary Surgery. He qualified at St Thomas 's in ! 983 and my postgraduate training has been mostly in Newcastle and Hong Kong . He is an Examiner for the Royal College of Surgeons of England .

Dr Will Honan FRCP is a Consultant Neurologist at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Peninsula Medical School .

Dr Saib Khogali , MD MRCP is a Consultant Cardiologist at the Wolverhampton Heart Centre, New Cross Hospital . He has a special interest in intervention cardiology and post cardiac surgery rehabilitation.

Professor Sudhesh Kumar, MD, FRCP, is a Professor in Endocrinology at Warwick Medical School and Walsgrave Hospital Coventry. He has a special interest in obesity and diabetes.

Dr Lynn Lambert, PhD, DTM&H, FRCP, is a Consultant Emergency Physician with a special interest in neurorehabilitation and gastroenterology at University Hospital Trust, Birmingham ..

Dr Barry Lawson PhD is a Consultant Audiologist at The Institute Of Sound Vibration Research, University of Southampton . His special interest is industrial deafness.

Dr Francisco Leyva MRCP, MD , who completed his training in Cardiology at Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals, is a Consultant Cardiologist and Physician at Good Hope Hospital and BUPA Little Aston Hospital, Sutton Coldfield, UK . His special interest is in biventricular pacing (cardiac resynchronisation therapy) in heart failure and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Mrs Marcelle Macnamara MD FRCS is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at Birmingham Heartlands Teaching Hospital. She is the Chairperson of the Birmingham Head and Neck Cancer Network.

Mr John Malik BSc ( Hons ), POD SRCH MRCS is a Consultant Podiatrist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Central England School of Podiatry.

Mr Julian McGlashan is a Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in ENT at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham . His special interests are in Voice Disorders, Thyroid Surgery and Head and Neck Surgery. He runs training courses in the diagnosis and management of Voice Disorders for Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeons and Speech Therapists and lectures both nationally and internationally on voice related subjects. He is a past president of the British Voice Association and an active member of their organising committee.

Dr.Hamdi Moselhy , Consultant Psychiatrist, Northern Birmingham Mental Health Trust.

Mr. Paul Montgomery FRCS , is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at The Norfolk & Norwich Hospital. He is the lead head and neck cancer surgeon and has written extensively on the treatment of head and neck cancer.

Mr Andrew Morrell, BSc, FRCS, FRCOphth , is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at St James' Hospital, Leeds with a special interest in refractive surgery. He is also a Regional Postgraduate Tutor.

Mr David Morgan, BSc, FRCS, is a Consultant ENT and Skull Base Surgeon at Birmingham Heartlands Teaching Hospital, with a special interest in paediatrics and skull base surgery. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer in surgery.

Mr Sean Morris, FRCS ( Urol ), is a Consultant Urologist at Birmingham Heartlands Teaching Hospital with a special interest in the treatment of stones, female urology and urodynamics .

Mr Dennis Neill, BA( Hons ), CQSW , Dip Psychiatric social work, Dip Family Therapy is a Family Psychotherapist working at the child and adolescent mental health service, part of East Cheshire NHS Trust. He has extensive knowledge of working with families, couples and individuals with relationship, emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties. He has a special interest in working with families who are going through divorce and with children with encopresis .

Dr Mohamed Nisar , FRCP , is a Consultant Rheumatologist at Queen's Hospital, Burton on Trent and has a special interest in therapeutics and the autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Mr John Oates, FRCS, is a Consultant Otologist at Queen's Hospital Burton on Trent . He has a special interest in Otology, and the application and teaching of laser surgical techniques in the middle ear. He is a Postgraduate Tutor and member of the Regional Educational Monitoring Team.

Dr Stephen O'Hickey , MD, MRCP, is a Consultant Physician with a special interest in chest disease and allergy at Worcester Hospital . He is also a Postgraduate Tutor.

Mr John Osborne FRCS is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at Glan Clwyd, North Wales . He has lectured and written extensively on chronic ear disease.

Mr Ian Paterson, MD, FRCS, is a Consultant Surgeon at Birmingham Heartlands Teaching Hospital with a special interest in breast cancer and vascular surgery. He was previously the Hunterian Professor at the Royal College of Surgeons of England .

Ms Gail Pearce BSc, MRPharmS , is a Pharmacist Manager for two community pharmacies in Birmingham City Centre and has wide experience in both prescription and OTC medicines.

Mr Ken Pearman FRCS is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at Birmingham Childrens Hospital and Birmingham Heartlands Teaching Hospital. His special interest is paediatric cochlear implantation.

Mr Mike Pringle FRCS is a Consultant Otologist at the Royal Alexandra Hospital Portsmouth. His special interests are cochlear implantation and bone anchored hearing aids.

Professor Tim Reynolds, BSC , MB , ChB, MD, FRCPath , is a Consultant Chemical Pathologist at Queen's Hospital, Burton-on-Trent . He has special interests in hyperlipidemia , renal stones and screening, especially antenatal Down's syndrome screening and is internationally known for his research on this topic.

Mr Tony Roberts MRCOG , is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Queen's Hospital Burton. He is also a Council Member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Mr Peter Robb FRCS is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at Epsom General Hospital with a special interest in paediatric ENT.

Mr Tim Rockley MD FRCS is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at Queens Hospital Burton. His special interest is rhinology .

Dr Stephen Rose, MD, FRCP, FRCPCh , is a Consultant Paediatrician at Birmingham Heartlands Teaching Hospital with a special interest in growth and endocrine disorders in children. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Paediatrics.

Dr Jonathan D C Ross MD FRCP is a Consultant in Genito Urinary Medicine in the Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust.

Mr Derek Skinner, FRCSEd (Gen Surg ), FRCSEng ( Otol ), FCSHK (Honorary) , presently Consultant ENT surgeon at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital from 1990 with an interest in Rhinology and medical education .He is a Visiting Lecturer in ORL, The Chinese University of Hong kong 1988-89. Post-Graduate Tutor to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital from 1999. Programme Director for the West Midlands HST( ORL) scheme.

Dr Cathy Sloan MB ChB is a GP in Warwickshire with a special interest in disabilities.

Dr. Adrian Smith, MB, MRCP, MRCPath . Consultant Haematologist, based at Queen's Hospital, Burton and Heartlands Hospital , Birmingham . He has a special interest in clinical oncology and education using electronic media.

Dr Mary Stevenson MD FRCP is a Consultant in Genito -Urinary Medicine at Russells Hall Hospital NHS Trust in Dudley . Her special interest is HIV infections.

Mr Paul Super MS FRCS is a Consultant Upper GI Surgeon at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital . He has a special interest in laparoscopic oesophageal surgery and surgery for obesity.

Dr Mark Temple MD FRCP , is a Consultant Nephrologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at Birmingham Heartlands Teaching Hospital.

Mr Garth Titley , MSc, FRCS ( Plast ), is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at University Hospital Birmingham with a special interest in hand reconstruction. 

Mr John Townley is a Medical Physicist specialising in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning at Queen Elizabeth Hospital , Birmingham with a special interest in stereotactic radiotherapy. He is also an Honorary Lecturer in radiotherapy physics.

Mr Ronan Treacy , FRCS ( Orth ), is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital , Birmingham , with a special interest in hip revision surgery.

Mr Graeme M Weiner, FRCS, is a Consultant ENT Surgeon at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital , and Honorary Otologist to the Royal School for the Deaf. His particular interests are in diseases of the ear and balance, and Paediatric ENT.

Mr Michael J Wearne, BSc, FRCOphth , is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Eastbourne General Hospital with a special interest in oculoplastic and lacrimal surgery. He also has a First Class Honours degree in Ophthalmic Optics (Optometry).

Dr Andrew Wilcock DM MRCP, is a Senior Lecturer in Palliative Medicine and Medical Oncology at the University of Nottingham . He has written extensively on palliative care and the use of drugs.

Mr Paul Wilson, FRCS. A Consultant ENT surgeon at North Staffordshire Hospital NHS Trust since June 1995. Graduated from Birmingham Medical School in 1983 and underwent specialist training on the West Midlands Rotation. He specialises in thyroid and parathyroid surgery as well as otology and endoscopic sinus surgery. He is also a Surgical Tutor, Royal College of Surgeons of England .

Professor Adrian Williams, MD, FRCP, is a Consultant Neurologist based at the University Hospital Birmingham. He has a special interest in epilepsy and movement disorders.

Biographies - Dentistry

Professor Trevor Burke, BDS, MDS, FDS, MGDS RCS Edin , MSc, FDSRCPS; MFGDP (UK), Professor of Primary Dental Care at the School of Dentistry, the University of Birmingham and consultant in restorative dentistry at Birmingham Dental Hospital. He is editor of Dental Update and he is interested in research in a General Dental Practice setting

Dr Ian Chapple , PhD , Senior Lecturer, Consultant and Head of Unit of Periodontology at the School of Dentistry , the University of Birmingham . His clinical interest cover all aspects of periodontology . Dr Chapple's research interests include studies on the aetiology and pathogenesis of oral diseases, with particular interests in chemo-luminescence and the role of free radicals.

Mr Kevin Fairbrother BChD , MDS, FDS (Rest Dent) RCS , Consultant in Restorative Dentistry. Birmingham Dental Hospital and the School of Dentistry , the University of Birmingham . He has a special interest in anxiety management within the Dental School and Hospital.

Miss SE Kerr BChD FDSRCS , Lecturer in Oral Surgery and Specialist in Surgical Dentistry at the School of Dentistry , the University of Birmingham .

Professor WRE Laird, BDS, DDS, HDD, FDSRCPS, FDSRCS, MRD , Professor of Prosthetic Dentistry and Head of the department of Dental Prosthetics. He is the University of Birmingham representative on the General Dental Council and his clinical interests include the use of dental implants.

Dr Philip Lumley, BDS, FDSRCPS, MDentSc , PhD , Senior Lecturer, Consultant and Head of the teaching Unit of Conservative Dentistry at the School of Dentistry, the University of Birmingham. Dr Lumley is in charge of the undergraduate curriculum in dentistry and his clinical and research interests broadly relate to endodontics .

Mr Mike Milward , BDS MFGDP( UK ) , Lecturer in Periodontology at the School of Dentistry , the University of Birmingham .

Mrs Sue Noble, BDS, MDentSc , MFGDP( UK) , Associate Specialist and Director of the school of dental hygiene at Birmingham Dental Hospital .

Mr Giles Perryer BDS MFGDP( UK) , Mr Perryer is a successful General Dental Practitioner and is also a Lecturer in Clinical Practice, the School of Dentistry , the University of Birmingham . He has a special interest in IT and is the Webmaster for the school of dentistry Web site.

Mr Anthony Roberts, BDS, BSc, FDSRCPS , Lecturer in Periodontology at the School of Dentistry , the University of Birmingham .

Dr Linda Shaw, BDS, PhD, LDS, FDSRCS , Senior Lecturer, Consultant and Head of Unit of Paediatric Dentistry at the School of Dentistry, the University of Birmingham and Birmingham Children's Hospital. Her particular interests are in the clinical care of children with special needs, both from a medical and dental perspective. Research work includes dental erosion, oral problems in children following organ transplantation, and trauma.

Dr Adrian Shortall BDS, FDSRCPS, FFDRCS, DDS , Senior Lecturer in Conservative Dentistry and Consultant at the School of Dentistry , the University of Birmingham . His clinical and research interests include the use and properties of light-activated aesthetic restorative materials.

Professor Damien Walmsley , BDS, MSc, PhD, FDSRCPS , Professor of Restorative Dentistry at the School of Dentistry, the University of Birmingham and consultant in restorative dentistry at Birmingham Dental Hospital. Research interests include the biological effects of ultrasound in both dentistry and medicine, magnets in dentistry, and the use of the Web in dental learning and teaching.

Dr Deborah White, BDS, DDPHRCS, MCDH, PhD , Lecturer in Oral Health and Behavioural Science at the School of Dentistry, the University of Birmingham and Specialist in Dental Public Health. She has wide experience in Community Dentistry and holds an Honorary Senior Dental Officer appointment with Birmingham Specialist Community Health Trust.

Mr Geoffrey Wright BDS, FDS Dorth RCS , Consultant Orthodontist at the Birmingham Dental Hospital and the School of Dentistry , the University of Birmingham . He is in charge of the Specialist Orthodontic Registrar training programme and has special interests in teaching General Dental Practitioners and the treatment of Cleft Lip and Palate patients.

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