The Wessex Maternal Medicine network coordinates and supports care for women across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire to improve outcomes for women with medical conditions detected before, during and after pregnancy.
University Hospitals Southampton is the regional maternal medicine centre and we work with clinicians and patients from all regional hospitals across Hampshire and Dorset, Salisbury District Hospital. We also work with staff and patients in the Channel Islands.
The aim of the network is safe care, access for all and the best possible outcomes for woman and their families from all communities
The purpose of the Maternal Medicine Network:
While the aim is for the majority of care to take place close to your home, you may be referred to the Wessex Maternal Medicine team for advice (sometimes this will be on the telephone but may require a visit to University Hospitals Southampton), support or for shared care with our team and the staff at your local hospital and local area including your GP.
Dr Matthew Coleman (MD, MRCP, FRCOG)
I am a Consultant Obstetric Physician who specialises in the health and wellbeing of mothers with medical illness before, during and after pregnancy. I have worked as a consultant in Southampton since 2001. Before this I trained in general medicine and obstetrics and gynaecology in Liverpool, London, Auckland New Zealand, and then finally in Southampton before accepting a consultant post. Alongside my role as a consultant obstetric physician, I am the current clinical lead for the Wessex Maternal Medicine Network and have additional interests in undergraduate teaching, human factors and research.
Dr Ana Carvalhosa (MRCP, FRCpath)
I am a Consultant Haematologist with an interest in haemostasis, thrombosis and immune haematology. I have joined the regional Maternal Medicine Network team based at Southampton (UHS), advising on haematology issues related to pregnancy and helping develop high quality care across the region. I support the regional obstetric haematology multidisciplinary team meeting and the joint obstetric haematology clinic in UHS.
Dr Rhiannon Morris (MBBS, FRCP (neuro), PhD)
I am a Consultant Neurologist with a sub-specialty interest in stroke and acute neurology. I joined the Trust in 2011 and began my consultant role in 2014. I do outpatient clinics and look after inpatients at the Wessex Neurological Centre here at University Hospital Southampton. I am also part of the hospital's acute neurology service and work on the rota for acute stroke care. My postgraduate research was in stroke medicine, and this is now my main sub-specialty interest.
Dr Shelley Haynes (MB ChB, MRCOG)
I am a Consultant Obstetrician with a special interest in maternal medicine. I completed my training in obstetrics in London, working in maternal medicine centres with obstetric physicians across the North West Thames Region. After completing my training, I moved to Southampton in 2013 and started my substantive consultant post in 2014. I work alongside dedicated colleagues in obstetrics, medicine, midwifery and anaesthetics, looking after women with complex medical diseases in pregnancy.
Dr Raji Parasuraman (MBBS MD (OG) FRCOG)
I am a Consultant in Fetal and Maternal Medicine and have worked at the University Hospital of Southampton within this role since May 2011. I am the current clinical lead for the Wessex Fetal Medicine Network. I specialise in high risk obstetrics and undertake fetal medicine scans and invasive procedures and intrauterine treatments during pregnancy. I run the clinic for mothers carrying twins and I am the Obstetric lead for the Wessex obstetric cardiac clinic which provides a regional service for mothers with heart problems.
Dr Linden Stocker (BM BS, MRCOG, PhD)
I am a subspecialist Consultant in Fetal and Maternal Medicine. I have worked as a consultant in the Trust since January 2023. I undertake fetal medicine scans during pregnancy and invasive procedures. I also run the maternal medicine clinic alongside Dr Haynes and the maternal cardiac clinic alongside Dr Parasuraman. I am also involved in research in pregnancy and have a keen interest in circadian rhythms and how these affect reproduction, as well the genetic control of these cycles. I am also involved in post graduate education and teaching at Southampton University.
Dr Ganga Verma (MBChB MRCOG)
I am a Consultant Obstetrician subspecialising in Maternal and Fetal Medicine and have worked at the University Hospital of Southampton within this role since November 2021. I am responsible for complex fetal problems and prenatal diagnosis. Along with Dr Shelley Haynes and Mr Matthew Coleman I provide a dedicated service for diabetes and endocrine disorders in pregnancy.
Dr Abigail Anness (BMedSci, BM BS, DA(SA), MRCOG)
I joined Princess Anne Hospital in April 2024 as a consultant obstetrician with a subspecialist in maternal and fetal medicine. Prior to this I completed my subspeciality training in Bristol, and my core Obstetrics & Gynaecology training as well as a research fellowship looking at maternal cardiovascular adaptation in pregnancies complicated by Gestational Diabetes in Leicester. I work alongside Dr Haynes, Dr Coleman, and Dr Verma to provide care for women with diabetes and other complex medical disorders in pregnancy.
Lisa Relton (MSc, BMid (Hons), Dip NSc)
I have worked in both University Hospitals Southampton and University Hospitals Dorset (UHD).
I have worked as a caseloading midwife, a labour ward coordinator and lead for the Maternity High Dependency Unit. Alongside this I have taught nurses, doctors, and midwives on caring for women at risk of deterioration in their health. In 2018 I moved from working in Southampton to working in Poole Maternity Unit as the Consultant Midwife. Within this time, I led on regional work to support equity in care across Wessex as well as providing support to women and their families when considering their choices in care. I have always been passionate about providing high quality of care to those with either pre-existing conditions or have become unwell in pregnancy or childbirth. I have continued to teach midwifery, obstetric, nursing Staff and students about higher levels of care in midwifery.
I started this role in 2023 and look forward to working with all clinicians to improve care for those accessing maternal medicine care.
Dr Aisling Carroll (MB BCh (Hons) FRCP)
I was appointed as a consultant cardiologist at University Hospital Southampton in 2009 and specialise in adult congenital heart disease, aortopathy and heart disease in pregnancy, leading the regional obstetric cardiology service for the south coast. I completed my cardiology specialist training in Ireland and Birmingham, in addition to three years of clinical Fellowship in ACHD, Echocardiography, Heart Transplantation and Advanced Heart Failure at the Mayo Clinic, USA prior to returning to the UK. I have a particular interest in education and training, contributing to the Wessex regional training program in ACHD and Pregnancy and am a regular speaker at local, regional, national and international meetings in my specialist fields. I run the maternal cardiac clinic with colleagues in a multidisciplinary team, to provide the best care for mothers with all types of cardiac problems in pregnancy.
Dr Samantha Fitzsimmons (MBCh B BSc (hons) MRCP (UK))
I am an adult Cardiologist with a sub-specialty interest in adult congenital heart disease. I joined the Trust in October 2013, as a Consultant Cardiologist in adult congenital heart disease and lead consultant for pulmonary hypertension in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD). In my lead consultant role, I work in collaboration with the Royal Brompton Hospital to enhance the diagnosis, care and treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension in association with ACHD. I have a special interest in pregnancy and cardiovascular disease (congenital and acquired), I am a member of the maternity cardiac clinic team, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to pregnancy care for women with cardiac problems. I am the co-lead consultant for cardiac obstetrics. I am an experienced and accredited member of the British Society of Echocardiography in transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography. I have experience in and have published work on the use of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in ACHD, and developing an expanding service.
Dr Poppy Mackie (MBChB, DRCOG, FRCA, MA)
I have been a Consultant Anaesthetist at the Trust since 2009. My current focus is obstetrics and ear, nose and throat surgery. I am one of three consultants who run the medical and anaesthetic problems in pregnancy (MAPP) clinic. I review high-risk obstetric patients, such as patients with cardiac disease, and I am involved in preparing multidisciplinary plans for birth. This work involves close liaison with cardiologists and obstetricians. With a strong interest in medical education, I am currently a college tutor for our department. I have a particular interest in professional development and professional support.
Dr Erica Jolly (BSc (Hons), BM, MRCEM, FRCA)
I am a Consultant Anaesthetist and have worked at the trust since 2022. I work in a variety of settings including obstetrics and emergency theatres. I am one of four consultants who work in the medical and anaesthetic problems in pregnancy (MAPP) clinic. I am also part of the multidisciplinary team that makes plans for complex obstetric patients including those with cardiac disease. I have a strong interest in medical education and mentoring of students, doctors in training and allied health care professionals.
Ayisat Banjo (BA (Hons), MSc, Agile PM)
I am an Agile qualified Project Manager, that joined the Trust in October 2023. I studied Business Management and Law at the University of Winchester (2:1). I then obtained a 1st class Masters in Project Management from the University of Portsmouth, with a 1st class Dissertation that focused on the importance of project planning to achieve project success.
I have worked predominantly on UK Defence and Engineering programmes in a variety of project roles, providing support to complex high value and high visibility projects. I am passionate about delivering projects to time, cost, quality, scope, and realising project benefits.
In my role as a Project Manager for Maternity Services across the Network, I am responsible for ensuring adherence to project management practices, while delivering projects that continually improve maternity services. I ensure that as a Network we collaborate effectively and put patients first, to ensure favourable outcomes in all stages of pregnancy to the global majority.
Natalie Chapple
I joined the trust in November 2023 and provide project coordination and administrative support to the team. I was previously working in armed forces recruitment, working alongside the Chief Medical Officer on medical appeals and candidate screening. Prior to that I was in the NHS for 12 years; most recently within primary care, leading two enhanced access provisions for West Hampshire. I also have six years of clinical experience in both primary and secondary care, working as a Phlebotomist, Maternity Care Assistant, Senior Health Care Assistant and FibroScan Technician. I am excited to find my feet in my new role and start networking with the wider team.
