Meet Sam, BMS accredited Menopause Specialist

Experienced GP and Women’s Health Specialist

I qualified from the University of Bristol in 1999 and after 4 years in hospital medicine, including in gynaecology, I spent nearly 20 years working as a GP in Bristol.

I have always been drawn to supporting women, and chose to do some extra training in contraception and sexual health, becoming a Diplomate of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare and then gaining certificates to fit coils and implants. Alongside my GP work I spent 5 years working at Brook supporting young people with contraception and sexual health, as well as 6 months providing GP support at One25. 

I was the lead for women’s health in my practice and developed a number of initiatives to improve the services and care that we offered.

Educator and Women’s Health Trainer

I am passionate about education, and throughout my career have been involved in medical student, nurse and pharmacist teaching. For the last 10 years I have been a GP trainer and trainer for the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. I love supporting health care professionals in deepening their understanding of menopause care. I am a registered menopause specialist trainer with the British Menopause Society and Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare.

Lifestyle Medicine

Over the last 5 years my interest in lifestyle medicine has developed, and in 2020 I studied with Dr Rangan Chatterjee on his prescribing lifestyle medicine course. I am a current member of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.

Menopause Specialist, BMS accredited

All of my interests have converged on menopause care. I have seen the difference sleep, nutrition, movement, and rest can have on hormonal balance. I have seen the benefits of tailoring HRT regimes for individual women. I chose to undertake menopause specialist training as a GP and was awarded the Advanced Certificate in Menopause Care from the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare and am recognised as a Menopause Specialist by the British Menopause Society.

Menopause Specialist, founder of Rethink Menopause

I set up Rethink Menopause in 2022 with the aims of sharing reliable information with women and businesses, supporting the education of healthcare professionals, and offering private specialist menopause consultations and health checks.

There can be a danger that all symptoms in our 40s and beyond are put down to menopause. As a GP I have the knowledge to advise you if there may be other non-hormonal causes of your symptoms, and the next steps to look into those as appropriate.

I run regular low-cost talks for women, to share high-quality evidence-based information. I deliver menopause awareness sessions for employers, and can create a bespoke package to suit your particular needs. I regularly run menopause education sessions for GPs, pharmacists and nurses. The feedback from all these sessions has been really heart-warming.

Appointments are available for specialist menopause consultations and well woman health checks face to face in Bristol, and online via video link. I listen and understand a woman’s experience and empower her with relevant information. My aim is simply to provide support, in whatever shape suits you best.

Yoga for Menopause Teacher

I’ve had a regular yoga practice for over 25 years, and having seen the benefits it has brought to me I have completed yoga teacher training with the Bristol School of Yoga. I offer yoga for menopause courses in Bristol, aswell as retreat days.