Dr Bassel Wattar

Biography

Foundation to OBGYN

My journey started as Year 1 Foundation trainee at Torbay hospital in the beautiful county of Devon in the south west of England. I was fortunate to explore this beautiful region and gain valuable experience as a first year qualified young medic. After experiencing several surgical specialities, I realised my passion for obstetrics and gynaecology and formalised my future career plans to train and practice in this amazing speciality. 

Building Skills in Obstetrics & Gynaecology

I was fortunate to get my speciality training post in the amazing city of Birmingham which quickly became my new home. I rotated across several renowned hospitals including the Birmingham Heartlands NHS Trust and the Birmingham Women’s University Hospital. Working at these busy units I had optimal chance to brush up and improve my core skills in the practice of obstetrics and gynaecology. 

From Clinician to Researcher

Mid way through my training, I realised my passion for academia and felt a calling to take time out of clinical training to pursuit a postgraduate research degree. This proved to be a pivotal point in my career as I had an amazing opportunity to undertake a PhD at Queen Mary University of London working with Professor Khalid Khan and Professor Shakila Thangaratinam at the Women’s Health Research Unit.

Launching My Research Career in Fertility Medicine

After my PhD, I became an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer at the University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire, working with  renowned professors at the hospital in the field of reproductive health. This role allowed me to hone my skills in clinical research and healthcare technology while pursuing my clinical interest in fertility and reproductive medicine. 

London was calling again

After my initial research experience, I moved into a nationally competitive sub-specialty training position in Reproductive Medicine at London’s prestigious University College Hospital. Here, I honed advanced skills in fertility, gynaecology, and minimally invasive surgery. Notably, my IVF training took place at the CRGH, a top UK fertility clinic. Balancing clinical work, I secured an NIHR fellowship for specialized training in randomized trials at UCL, fostering my academic pursuits.

New Beginnings in Fertility Care

Capping off my training, I joined Epsom and St Helier Hospitals as a consultant in Reproductive Medicine. At Beginnings, we prioritize personalized, evidence-based care. I lead the gynecological endocrine service, focusing on women’s specific needs. Collaboration and patient-centered care are central to our approach. I’m proud to advocate for women’s health with organizations like Verity PCOS.

The EVIdencE Synthesis and Methodology Group for Women’s Health Research (EVIE)

The EVIE research group, founded in 2023 at UCL by the author and Dr. Rogozińska, aims to address women’s health issues through high-quality research.
Thanks to UCL researchers, EVIE secured its first NIHR grant to evaluate treatments for heavy periods.
The group foster experience in both clinical practice and research that enable us to identify key problems and develop innovative solutions to improve women’s healthcare.

Leading Innovation in Clinical Trials at Anglia Ruskin University

Appointed Medical Director in 2024, I lead Anglia Ruskin University’s Clinical Trials Unit. Our young and progressive unit prioritizes innovation. We collaborate with talented researchers to develop new treatments and tools that can significantly improve patient health within the NHS. We embrace an international outlook and co-produce research with relevant stakeholders. We welcome partnerships with researchers across medicine and actively seek collaboration with women’s health advocates.