The SAS and LED Committee

My aim is to promote and raise the profile of the SAS pathway as a rewarding and fulfilling career where experienced doctors can work autonomously and progress further. I am particularly interested in the wellbeing of SAS and LED doctors through advocating for recognition and acknowledgment of the high-quality care they provide for women and girls. I am also keen on advocating for opportunities to be more available for SAS and LED doctors to take up senior roles in leadership, Education and research.

A little bit about me, I have 30 years of experience in obstetrics and gynaecology, and half of this have been in SAS post.

The SAS career enabled me to pursue my ambitions and achieve my potentials.

After graduation in 1993, I completed my Master’s Degree in O&G in 1996, and worked in several countries before being selected by the RCOG for the Overseas Training Scheme (now known as MTI).

I spent two years in training and passed my MRCOG in 2007. I have worked as SAS doctor in Norfolk, Yorkshire, Essex, Cumbria, Devon and in South East London. I became a Diplomate of the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive health (FSRH), and a certified colposcopist (BSCCP)

I am on the GMC Specialist Register since 2015 through the CESR route. My special interests are Colposcopy, Advanced labour ward practice, Vulval Diseases, Abortion care, and Early pregnancy and Emergency Gynaecology.

In 2016, I was appointed as council member of the British Society for the Study of Vulval Diseases (BSSVD), and represented the society in the RCOG specialist Societies Liaison group meetings. I continued to represent the BSSVD as Secretary for the society until 2023.

In 2018, I was appointed as a member of the SAS-LED Advisory group for the College, and I served as a member of the Professional development Committee, The Disciplinary, Removal & Reinstatement Committee (DRRC), as well as the CESR Equivalence Advisory group. I was appointed as Deputy Senior Equivalence Advisor from 2020 to 2022.

I was then appointed as the Chair of the SAS and LED Committee in 2023.

Julie Anne Forbes 

Sarah Court, FRCOG 

Niamh Doherty FRCOG

Niamh is a post-CCT specialty doctor working at Western Health and Social Care Trust where she is deeply engaged in education and training. Niamh holds many additional roles including as a GMC Recognised Trainer, Educational and Clinical Supervisor for foundation doctors and specialty trainees, Undergraduate Lead for O&G, and Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Ulster University Medical School. As SAS and LED representative, Niamh uses her experience, peer recognition, and commitment to advocacy to support the continued development, recognition, and inclusion of SAS and LED doctors within the specialty.  

TBC

Priti Wuppalapati, FRCOG  

Priti has experience working both as a locally employed and specialty doctor and was appointed as a specialist in 2025. Priti has professional interests in governance and medical education and, as well as being the RCOG SAS and LED representative in the North West, represents SAS and LEDs on a number of RCOG committees. Since 2015, Priti has also held the role of LNC representative for SAS doctors at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. Passionate about the recognition of this valuable workforce, Priti is committed to advocating for the development and progression of SAS and LEDs and supporting colleagues to access opportunities that will enable them to reach their full potential. 

Anam Rashid, MRCOG  

After training and working as a consultant in Pakistan, Anam moved to the UK in 2024. Initially working as a senior clinical fellow, Anam now practices as an experienced specialty doctor at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust whilst also holding the role of Chief Registrar. In addition to being the SAS and LED representative for the North West, Anam has a strong professional interest in medical education and training and represents SAS and LEDs on the Lobbying for Change workstream of the RCOG Surgical Skills project.  

Lakshmi Jayagovarthanan, MRCOG  

Lakshmi qualified in India and moved to the UK in 2020, where she was initially appointed as a locally employed doctor at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust. Now working as a specialty doctor, Lakshmi has first-hand experience of the opportunities, challenges, and structural differences associated with each role and is in a strong position to advocate effectively on behalf of both SAS and LED colleagues. As well as representing the North West, Lakshmi represents SAS and LEDs on the RCOG’s Clinical Quality Assurance Group (CQAG).  

Dr Alice Unwin

After completing foundation training, Alice spent time working in Uganda, where her passion for O&G was born. After entering the O&G specialty training programme, at ST4 Alice made the decision to develop her career as a specialty doctor. Now working at Gloucester Royal Hospital, Alice also works as the Reproductive Health and Care of the Newborn Tutor for Bristol University and as part of the PROMPT faculty, developing and delivering emergency obstetric training within the trust. Alice is delighted to be a member of the RCOG SAS and LED committee as the South West representative and is involved in the College’s work to address poor workplace behaviours.  

Dr Sonia Barr

I am originally from South Africa, where I completed my MBChB and Diploma in Obstetrics. Due to various reasons, I decided early on in my career to pursue an alternative career pathway and have enjoyed a long and fulfilling career working as a SAS equivalent doctor. 
Throughout my time in South Africa, I spent 14 years at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town where I gained considerable experience in Obstetric and Gynaecological Ultrasound and Fetal Medicine. I have a special interest in genomics and have completed MSc courses in Medical Genetics through the University of Cape Town.

I am an impassioned teacher of ultrasound and was responsible for the ultrasound training and education of Obstetric registrars and Maternal-Fetal Medicine sub specialist fellows.
Since moving to the UK two years ago, I have worked in a SAS role in Fetal Medicine, general obstetrics and gynaecology for the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust and the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust.  I thoroughly enjoy the variation and stimulation that my work provides, as well as the flexibility that a SAS role can offer. 

I look forward to being able to support and advocate for doctors in a similar position to me, especially doctors who have trained and worked outside of the UK, to help them to translate their skills and experience within the NHS framework. 

Dr. Laura Rylah, MBBS, MRCOG

In October 2020 I was appointed as a Specialty Doctor in Winchester hospital. I am delighted to have been asked to be a representative for the Wessex region as I navigate this new career path.

I graduated from UCL Medical School in 2009 having completed a Biology degree at Leeds University prior to this. I commenced training in Obstetrics & Gynaecology in Wessex in 2011 after doing my Foundation jobs in the North Central Thames area.

I gained my MRCOG in 2019 and I am incredibly proud to have been awarded the Prize Medal for the Part 3 examination.

I made the positive decision to move aside from training at the level of ST6 to continue working in a unit which I love. Remaining in one place with trusted colleagues hugely contributes to my job satisfaction and provides more stability for my family and me. I have two young children and my husband is an Anaesthetist for the Royal Navy, so this career move will compliment his commitments which include regular deployments over the coming years.

My interests include Obstetric scanning and teaching and I have been asked to take on the role of Medical Student teaching lead locally. I am exploring the opportunity to start a Mental Health Antenatal clinic in my unit and I am working with the midwives to provide greater structured support for staff in O&G after difficult cases. I am excited to embark upon this new career path, working in a specialty that I find incredibly fulfilling.

TBC

Swati Kanchan, MRCOG  

Dr Phyo Zaw Wai 

After qualifying in Burma, Phyo began working in the NHS as a locally employed doctor before being appointed as a specialty doctor at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Within his trust, Phyo has contributed to the development of a local induction package for LEDs and established an annual SAS and LED Forum. As a SAS advocate for his trust, Phyo is experienced in advocating for this diverse workforce and brings these skills to the role of SAS and LED representative for the East of England. Phyo also represents SAS and LEDs on the RCOG Academic Board and is committed to advocating for SAS doctors to develop their leadership, mentoring and educational skills. 

Alice Pastides  

Alice is a specialist doctor working at Broomfield Hospital with professional interests in Fetal medicine, antenatal care, clinical governance and patient safety. As a member of the SAS and LED Committee, Alice also represents SAS and LEDs on the RCOG Guidelines Committee. Alice is passionate about supporting SAS and LED doctors develop their careers and navigate progression within our speciality. With over a decade’s experience working in the region, Alice is committed to using her connections to bridge gaps, advocate for colleagues and promote opportunities for their professional development. 

Osama Abdalmageed, MRCOG  

Working as a senior specialty doctor in a busy UK NHS department, Osama has professional interests in quality improvement, clinical governance, and patient safety.  Within his role, Osama supervises, mentors, and supports junior doctors and SAS colleagues, contributes to teaching, audit, and clinical governance, and gathers colleagues’ views to improve rota planning, service delivery, and quality of care.  With first-hand insight into the professional challenges, career aspirations, and wellbeing needs of SAS and LE doctors, Osama is motivated to ensure their voices are heard within the RCOG.  

Prajwal Shetty  

Working as a junior registrar at University College London Hospital, Prajwal qualified in Georgia before moving to the UK. Starting as an SHO with no prior O&G experience, he has since progressed to registrar level, demonstrating how supportive trusts can enable LED career progression. He has pursued a PGCert in Medical Education, contributed to research, and is working towards MRCOG and a PG Diploma in Healthcare Management. His interests include workforce sustainability, retention, education and career development for all doctors. As London’s regional representative, he aims to promote career development and progression opportunities for SAS and LEDs. 

Claire Hordern, MRCOG, MRCP  

In 2021 Claire made a positive career decision to leave the O&G specialty training programme (at ST6) and become a specialty doctor, describing this as the best career decision she has made. Now working at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Claire is also the Clinical Lead for Maternity Assessment Unit, SAS Advocate, and takes an active role in education. As representative for Thames Valley on the SAS and LED Committee, Claire also represents SAS and LEDs on the Global Health Board and is committed to improving the SAS community’s working environments, visibility and sense of belonging. 

Manisha De Alwis  

Manisha obtained MBBS and MD in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Sri Lanka and now works as a specialty doctor at Wrexham Maelor Hospital. With professional interests in Fetal medicine, Manisha is a dedicated medical professional with nearly 10 years of experience in Sri Lanka and over three years of experience in UK. Manisha represents SAS and LEDs in North Wales and on the Welsh Executive Committee, ensuring their voices are heard and accurately represented at the RCOG level.  

Marufa Sultana, MRCOG  

Marufa qualified in Bangladesh and moved to the UK in 2019 where she now works as a specialty doctor on the senior registrar rota at the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. Marufa is committed to further developing both clinical and non-clinical skills to provide exceptional care in this speciality, with special interests in colposcopy, vulval disorder, pregnancy care, and leadership and management. As the SAS and LED representative for South Wales, Marufa is also an engaged member of the Welsh Executive Committee and is building strong connections with SAS and LEDs in her region.