Zita West
Leading fertility and pregnancy expert Zita West is a practicing midwife, acupuncturist, nutritional advisor and author of ten fertility and pregnancy books. She is acknowledged as one of Europe’s leading experts on how we can improve our prospects at each key stage of the reproductive process through natural means or, if necessary, through medical intervention.
Zita has been involved in fertility now for over 30 years and over that time thousands of couples have come to her for advice on how to get into optimum shape – physiologically, nutritionally and emotionally – for all the vital stages of childbirth from pre-conception to conception, pregnancy and the months immediately after birth.
Mr George Ndukwe
George is one of the most experienced fertility experts in Europe and is a world leader in the investigation and treatment of recurrent IVF failure. He began his long career in this field as a research fellow at The Royal Free Hospital, London in 1984 under Professor Shaw. He became the Medical Director of the prestigious Nottingham University Research and Treatment Unit in Reproduction (NURTURE) in 1997 when it was one of the top IVF units in the UK and joined the Zita West Clinic in 2011.
Our Senior Management Team
Anita O’Neill
Anita is the Group Practice Manager of the Zita West Fertility Clinic and has taken a leading role in the development of the clinic over the past decade. She is also a qualified midwife with over 30 years experience and a trained hypnotherapist too.
Anita is not only responsible for the management of the clinic and staff but she also maintains a clinical role and holds fertility consultations in our London clinic.
Terri Morgan Collins
With over 20 years’ experience in fertility, obstetrics and gynaecology, Terri specialises in all aspects of assisted fertilty, including the investigative/diagnostic workup, cycle monitoring, ultrasonogrophy, ovulation induction and IUI. She also manages our dedicated team of nursing and administrative staff, implementing and coordinating systems in accordance with Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) code of practice.
Simone Rofena
Simone joined the Zita West team in September 2013 and is an experienced fertility specialist with particular interest in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility. He began his career as a consultant in obstetrics and reproductive gynaecology at San Raffaele University Hospital in Milan, one of the most technologically advanced and prestigious research institutes in the world, before moving to work under Professor Giovanni Colpi, a pioneer in the research and treatment of severe male infertility.
Our IVF Doctors
Mr George Ndukwe
George is one of the most experienced fertility experts in Europe and is a world leader in the investigation and treatment of recurrent IVF failure. He began his long career in this field as a research fellow at The Royal Free Hospital, London in 1984 under Professor Shaw. He became the Medical Director of the prestigious Nottingham University Research and Treatment Unit in Reproduction (NURTURE) in 1997 when it was one of the top IVF units in the UK and joined the Zita West Clinic in 2011.
Simone Rofena
Working in medicine, you can live a life focused on the sadder side of human existence, such as death and illness. I’ve always felt incredibly lucky that I chose, some 20 years ago, to focus on fertility and IVF, as I work in the side of medicine that is about life.
Since I started working in IVF, there haven’t been that many major breakthroughs scientifically. Drugs and techniques have improved but there hasn’t been anything radical that has shaken up the industry.
The only thing that has revolutionised my approach over the years is studying, understanding and following holistic approaches to treatment, as we do here at the Zita West Clinic. In Italy, where I am originally from, and across most of London, whole body approaches are not considered.
Yet, you can clearly see the difference in outcomes. Our results are better: it’s as simple as that. This is particularly interesting when you consider that many of the processes of IVF are unchanged over years and the same from clinic to clinic. What makes us have more success than others is the fact we look at all aspects of a couple’s life and leave no stone un-turned.
There is nothing better than seeing people happy and helping people build a family. I feel privileged that my work focuses around helping people have babies.
Vivienne Hall
Dr Hall trained in medicine at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, qualifying in 1982.
After training in general obstetrics and gynaecology she started developing her interest in infertility at The Bourn Hallam Clinic in 1989. She worked for 3 years at the Hammersmith Hospital with Professor Lord Winston before going to live and work in Italy. There she ran her own fertility clinics in Milan and Turin before coming back to the UK in 2006. Since her return she has worked in private and NHS fertility units and also continued with mainstream obstetrics and gynaecology until 2014.
Most recently she has worked at the Bridge Fertility Clinic and at Create Fertility, St Pauls, where she gained expertise in pre-implanation genetics and the management of low and critically low ovarian reserve.
Dr Hall has always had an interest in a holistic approach to fertility and is looking forward to working at Zita West where a completely personalised individual care plan gives the best possible chance of success.
Dr Hall has twin teenage daughters (and various cats and dogs) and lives in Surrey.
Our Specialist Nursing Team
Sophie Williams
Nirmala Budhathoki
Sarah O Callaghan
Our Expert Team of Practitioners
Jane Knight
Jane Knight is a Specialist Fertility Nurse Counsellor (and ex midwife) with 30 years experience in NHS general practice in Oxford supporting couples planning pregnancy. She has been with the Zita West team since the clinic was set up in 2002. Jane sees couples for initial consultations, fertility MOTs and fertility awareness. Jane also sees individuals or couples for fertility counselling.
The ‘excellent Jane Knight’ (Daily Telegraph magazine April 4 2009) offers support counselling for couples at all stages of pregnancy planning from contemplating pregnancy, including single parenthood through to IVF and beyond. She also provides implications counselling for anyone considering egg, sperm or embryo donation and for couples contemplating surrogacy. As a fertility counsellor, she supports clients with fertility and relationship difficulties, coping with pregnancy loss or coming to terms with ending treatment and moving on with their lives.
Clare Casson
Clare is a CNHC-registered Nutritional Therapist. She trained with BCNH and ION, and has worked with the Zita West Clinic for over 5 years, advising and supporting our patients who are trying to get pregnant naturally, facing fertility challenges or undergoing IVF. The evidence shows that diet and lifestyle choices can make a real difference, but there is so much conflicting information out there that many couples aren’t sure what they should be doing to increase their chances of success. For many people, a few key changes could make a big difference, even if they’re already eating what appears to be a pretty healthy diet. Clare offers, realistic, practical and doable advice, tailored to your needs and lifestyle, and supported by the evidence about what really works.
Isabelle Obert
Isabelle studied at the Raworth Centre and qualified in 2002 with a Nutrition Consultant’s diploma with Distinction. She is passionate and enthusiastic about helping people to improve their fertility with the help of nutrition.
Maureen Kiely
Maureen Kiely is a senior clinical hypnotherapist with over 20 years of experience at the clinical level and is a full member of the British Society of Clinical Hypnosis and a Fellow of the British Association of Medical Hypnosis. Maureen lectured at senior level and internationally for the London College of Clinical Hypnosis.
Maureen specialises in helping couples manage unexplained infertility, the IVF process, pregnancy and birth, and the difficult areas of miscarriage, IVF failure and bereavement. She seeks to identify underlying causes for unexplained infertility and poor sexual performance such as blocked emotions to do with pregnancy and childbirth or dealing with past trauma and abuse.
She has worked extensively in the area of physical, emotional and sexual abuse, helping individuals to overcome the past and move forward to gain control and develop the life they deserve. She also deals with the medical side of aiding pregnancy, by helping patients to give up smoking, alcohol, drugs, or indeed tackle phobias such as medical phobias which can hinder the process.
Valeria Frank
Valeria has been a complementary therapist for more than 25 years, first practicing and teaching Shiatsu bodywork therapy and later retraining as a Traditional acupuncturist. She has been working at the Zita West clinic since 2010, enjoying the clinic’s multidisciplinary and collaborative ethos, and holds a BSc (Hons) TCM Acupuncture from University of Westminster and is a fully insured Member of the British Acupuncture Council.
Through her further training and work in the area of women’s health, she has developed special interest in working throughout pregnancy to help women with pelvic pain and preparation for labour, including working with breech pregnancies. She is also especially interested in supporting women with endometriosis and Asherman’s syndrome.
Lui Yeung
Having received acupuncture to support her own fertility and pregnancy, Lui decided to return to university, where she gained a First Class Honours Degree from the University of Westminster in Chinese Medicine Acupuncture. A member of the British Acupuncture Council, Lui practices acupuncture, cupping and Tuina massage and has completed post-graduate studies in male and female fertility, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis and Master Tung style acupuncture.
Lui’s special areas of interest include natural conception and preparation for IVF/ICSI, as well as anxiety and emotional conditions such as depression, panic attacks and stress management.
Eva Stecz
With a BSc (Hons) in Acupuncture from Westminster University and a diploma in Chinese Massage, Eva continues to refine her acupuncture clinical skills through continuous study with Master Nguyen Tinh Thong, a highly regarded East Asian physician and teacher. In addition, Eva is a qualified Mercier Therapy specialist, having studied with Dr. Jennifer Mercier, which involves the clinical application of deep pelvic visceral manipulation to optimize fertility, conception and general women’s health.
Eva is a member of the British Acupuncture Council and the British Fertility Society and regularly attends post graduate trainings and conferences in subfertility, reproductive endocrinology, assisted conception and male infertility. She is also keenly interested in fertility research and has lectured on both the use of acupuncture during IVF and the treatment and management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Susanne Weichhardt
With a BSc (Hons) in Traditional Chinese Medicine from Westminster University and a diploma in Chinese Massage, Susanne has specialised in acupuncture for gynaecology, obstetrics and all aspects of fertility including IVF support for over 10 years through post graduate studies as well as numerous CPD courses. In addition, Susanne is interested in current research and is committed to incorporating new findings in her daily practice.
Alongside traditional acupuncture methods, Susanne uses a wide range of techniques including electro acupuncture, ear acupuncture and ear seeds, acutaping, cupping and moxibustion.
Josephine Cerqua
Josephine has been part of the Zita West team for over 15 years, having graduated with a BSc (Hons) from Westminster University in 2002.
She has had the privilege of working with many couples on their fertility journey, allowing her to develop her knowledge and expertise in all areas of fertility and pregnancy.
Josephine is passionate about ensuring clients receive the best possible treatment to facilitate a healthy pregnancy, birth and transition to parenthood.
She is a member of the British Acupuncture Council which guarantees safety, professionalism and a high standard of care.