Meet Dr Lisa

Dr Joels has the following qualifications:

• MB ChB – Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
• MD – Doctorate of Medicine
• FRCOG – Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
• FHEA – Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

In addition to her explicit qualifications, Dr Joels has extensive additional training in the following areas:

• Advanced laparoscopic surgery
• Hysteroscopic surgery
• MOET (Management of Obstetric Emergencies and Trauma)
• Paediatric and adolescent gynaecology
• Reproductive medicine and surgery including assisted conception
• Contraception including insertion of contraceptive coils and implants
• Clinical governance and risk management

I have obstetric experience spanning 34 years, with 19+ years at consultant level, including the majority at tertiary level, with a heavy emphasis on obstetric safety, including being the Prize Winner on the Internationally-recognised obstetric safety course (called MOET).

As a tertiary-trained and experienced consultant, I have a considerable experience in the management of complications of pregnancy including managing obstetric haemorrhage with Rusch balloons and B Lynch sutures, caesarean hysterectomy, severe pre-eclampsia and eclampsia.

I have managed antenatal and postnatal care throughout my career and I believe in supporting women in shared decision-making about mode of delivery and encourage aiming for normal vaginal delivery and vaginal birth after caesarean section. I am experienced in caesarean section, instrumental vaginal delivery including ventouse, Neville Barnes forceps and rotational delivery with manual rotation and Kiellands forceps. I have experience of vaginal breech deliveries and vaginal twin deliveries.

High Risk Obstetrics

As a tertiary service, both in Exeter and Swansea, we were referred difficult cases and we can active high-risk pregnancy clinics or services focused on a heightened degree of monitoring, active multidisciplinary working with our fetal-maternal medicine colleagues, as well as the medical genetics service to ensure genetic abnormalities were picked up and managed accordingly. I also have a personal interest in obstetric safety.

Consequently, that have given me an extensive background in high risk pregnancies, regardless of aetiology, including underlying conditions such as diabetes, to lifestyle choices such as having children later in life.

For the last 6 years in the UK, I have been Clinical Lead for Exeter Fertility, a tertiary standalone service under the umbrella of Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, a service renowned throughout the region. I was awarded a Doctorate of Medicine for my research into fertility issues, from University of Bristol.

In reproductive medicine I am experienced in diagnosis and management of infertility and manage patients undergoing ovulation induction, IVF and IUI. I have been trained to perform open tubal microsurgery including reversal of sterilisation, tubal surgery and cuff salpingostomy. I now carry out most of the tubal surgery laparoscopically.

• Diagnostic assessment of both female and male partners experiencing a delay in conceiving
• Investigations including ultrasound and laparoscopic assessment of the woman’s pelvis and tubal patency
• Assessment and treatment of hormone disorders
• Onward referral to assisted conception services where appropriate
• Understanding of the psychosocial consequences of a delay in conceiving

NOTE: I HAVE A WHOLE PAGE ON MY GYNAE EXPERIENCE & SERVICES

Throughout my career, I have trained in and delivered gynaecology services, including as a tertiary consultant in University Hospital settings for the last 19 years.

I am confident in both abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy, open myomectomy, vaginal repairs and hysteroscopic resection of polyps and fibroids. I am trained in advanced laparoscopic surgery, including a focus on treating infertility and chronic pelvic pain. I currently undertake surgery for grade 4 endometriosis including, excision of endometriosis, ovarian cystectomy, bowel and ureteric dissection and other operative laparoscopic procedures including adhesiolysis, salpingo-oophorectomy and ectopic pregnancy. I have carried out LAVH and laparoscopic subtotal hysterectomies and total laparoscopic hysterectomies.

Additionally, I am trained in gynaecological ultrasound scanning and conduct this routinely in clinic. I can also carry out HyCoSy (tubal patency) scanning for appropriately selected patients.

Furthermore, I was the clinical lead for paediatric and adolescent gynaecology, a member of BritSPAG and I saw babies, girls and adolescents in the joint PAG clinic with a paediatric consultant colleague.