Board of Directors
The Primary Care Women’s Health Society Board of Directors comprises practicing healthcare professionals with an interest in women’s health and leading medical education specialists.
Dr Lindsey Thomas
PCWHS Chair, GPwER Women's Health
Dr Lindsey Thomas is the Chair of the PCWHS, an experienced GP based in Sheffield with an interest in women’s health.
She currently works in primary care in Sheffield. in community Gynaecology in Oxfordshire and up until recently was the Clinical Lead for a Menopause and Menstrual Clinic in Sheffield. She also works privately for Myla Health and has previously worked in sexual health.
She is a CoSRH and BMS menopause trainer. As well as an Honorary Lecturer at The University of Manchester.
She is passionate about improving women’s health and sees education as an important part of this.
Amy Tatham
PCWHS Vice Chair, GPwER Women’s Health
Dr Amy Tatham is a GP partner and a GP with extended role in gynaecology and menopause in a large Bradford teaching practice where she is the women’s health lead with a passion for providing contraceptive, sexual health and menopause care. She also works in the Bradford hospital based menopause clinic. She enjoys teaching and training and is a CoSRH trainer and holds the advanced BMS menopause certificate and provides secondary and primary care-based specialist menopause clinics.
She has had experience working for Bradford Districts and Craven ICB and has a passion for addressing health inequalities and driving change to improve access and the care we provide for all our women.
Dr Anne Connolly MBE
PCWHS Non-Executive Director, Retired GPwER
Anne is a founder member of the Primary Care Women’s Health Forum which has subsequently gone on to become the Society. In her early career she worked in rural Zimbabwe, before returning to the UK, where she worked in general practice in inner-city Bradford as a partner in a large teaching practice for 25 years followed by10 years working in inclusion health. After obtaining a post-graduate diploma for practitioners with a special interest in gynaecology she recognised the need for improving education in primary care which lead to the formation of what is now PCWHS.
She has a huge amount of experience in women’s health having worked in hysteroscopy, colposcopy and also as a CoSRH trainer. Other roles included CCG clinical board member with remit for maternity, women’s children and young peoples healthcare. CoSRH VP membership, RCGP Women’s Health champion and PCWHS Chair.
Anne was honoured to be awarded an MBE for her work in women’s health in the 2021 Queens Birthday Honours List.
Dr Stephanie Cook
PCWHS Director of Strategy - Policy, Advocacy and Service Development, GPwER Women's Health
Dr Stephanie Cook is a GP based in Liverpool with a specialist interest in women’s health. She is the clinical lead for Liverpool’s Women’s Health Hub programme and has played a key role in the design, development, and implementation of integrated women’s health services across the region. The success of this work has generated significant national interest and provided a valuable model for the development of women’s health hubs across England.
Stephanie is a recognised national speaker on women’s health and is passionate about improving access to services, reducing health inequalities, and enhancing patient care. She is an accredited College of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (CoSRH) trainer in contraceptive implants and intrauterine contraception (coils), holds the British Menopause Society (BMS) Advanced Certificate in Menopause Care, and has additional training in ultrasound, gynaecological procedures, and early pregnancy care.
A committed educator, Stephanie actively supports the training and development of healthcare professionals, helping to build expertise and confidence in women’s health across primary care and specialist services.
Dr Caroline Cooper
PCWHS Education Director, GPwER Women's Health
Dr Caroline Cooper is a retired GP with extensive experience in women’s health and has been involved with the Primary Care Women’s Health Society (PCWHS) since its inception. Throughout her career, she has worked across a range of settings, including general practice, specialist sexual and reproductive health services, community gynaecology, and primary care, maintaining a consistent focus on improving women’s healthcare.
Alongside her clinical expertise, Caroline has a longstanding passion for medical education. She is a College of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (CoSRH) trainer and Programme Director for the Bayer Pharma Intrauterine Technique (IUT) Training Programme, supporting increased access to contraception training for healthcare professionals across the UK. She also works as a communication skills tutor with medical students at the University of Cambridge.
As Education Lead for the Primary Care Women’s Health Society, Caroline plays a key role in developing and delivering high-quality educational programmes, helping clinicians build confidence and expertise in women’s health care.
Tracey Elliott
PCWHS Membership Director, Advanced Nurse Practitoner (ANP) / Lead Nurse, County Durham
Tracey Elliott is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) and Lead Nurse based in County Durham, with extensive experience in women’s health across both General Practice and Community Gynaecology services. She is passionate about improving healthcare for women and combines her clinical expertise with a strong commitment to education and professional development.
Tracey holds the Diploma of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (DFSRH), Letters of Competence in intrauterine contraception and contraceptive implant fitting, and the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare Advanced Certificate in Menopause Care. Alongside her clinical roles, she is an academic lecturer at the University of Sunderland, where she developed and delivers an advanced contraception degree module for nurses and allied health professionals. She also mentors clinicians undertaking advanced training.
A respected national speaker, Tracey is dedicated to empowering both women and healthcare professionals through education, advocacy, and support. Her work is driven by a vision of accessible, high-quality care and improved health outcomes for women at every stage of life.
Dr Kirsty Gillies
PCWHS Committee Liaison Director, GPwER Women’s Health
Dr Kirsty Gillies is a General Practitioner with Extended Role (GPwER) in Women’s Health, based in Devon, with extensive experience in menopause and women’s healthcare. She holds the Advanced Certificate in Menopause Care from the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) and is recognised as a British Menopause Society (BMS) Specialist.
Graduating from the University of Edinburgh in 2006, Kirsty initially pursued a career in Respiratory Medicine, gaining Membership of the Royal College of Physicians before transitioning into General Practice. She subsequently completed her GP training in Oxford, combining broad medical expertise with a growing interest in women’s health.
Since relocating to Devon in 2018, Kirsty has worked as an NHS GP while developing a specialist portfolio in women’s health. Her current roles include NHS GP, GP with an Extended Role in Women’s Health, GP appraiser, and private women’s health GP for St Erme Medical.
Passionate about improving women’s healthcare, Kirsty is committed to educating both healthcare professionals and patients. She regularly delivers teaching at local and national level and is a faculty member on the highly regarded Menopause Special Skills Course, supporting experienced clinicians in developing advanced menopause care expertise.
Dr Charlotte Gooding
PCWHS Training Director, Podcasts, PwER and Menopause Specialist
Dr Charlotte Gooding is a GP and British Menopause Society (BMS) Accredited Menopause Specialist, holding the BMS Advanced Certificate in Menopause Care. She qualified in 2008 and completed her General Practice training before becoming a GP Partner in Newcastle.
Charlotte has a specialist interest in menopause care for women affected by cancer and leads an NHS Menopause and Endocrine Side Effects Service for breast cancer patients in Newcastle. She also works closely with Breast Cancer Now, supporting patient groups and helping women navigate the challenges of menopause following cancer treatment. In addition, she contributes to education initiatives through the Northern Cancer Alliance, delivering menopause education for both healthcare professionals and patients.
Alongside her NHS roles, Charlotte provides specialist menopause care through private practice with Menopause Care. She is passionate about improving women’s health and is committed to educating healthcare professionals, sharing her expertise to enhance the quality and accessibility of menopause care across a range of clinical settings.
Dr Sarah Gray
PCWHS Non-Executive Director, GPwSI Women's Health
Dr Sarah Gray is a founder member of the PCWHS.
She is a highly experienced GP with an extended role in women’s health spanning 40 years. She combines a practical frontline perspective with a strong evidence-based approach. She has been a clinical leader in rural Cornwall since 1992 and led a specialist NHS menopause referral service for 15 years.
Sarah worked in the NHS until 2022 but has had private consulting rights since 2000 and now leads a private practice providing general practice as well as specialist women’s health and occupational health services.
Nationally, Sarah contributed to the development of NICE guidelines CG44 and QS47 on heavy menstrual bleeding and has been a College of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare trainer since 1996. She served for a decade on the British Menopause Society Advisory Council and is currently one of two RCGP women’s health representatives. She founded and has run the respected Menopause Skills Course for 20 years, has authored textbook chapters, and is a regular expert commentator on national radio.
Dr Toni Hazell
PCWHS Clinical Content and Compliance Director, Portfolio GP
Dr Toni Hazell qualified from St. Mary’s Hospital medical school and did her GP training at Northwick Park hospital. Her interest in women’s health developed during GP training, where she gained diplomas in family planning and obstetrics and gynaecology, before undertaking clinical assistant roles in contraception, sexual health, genitourinary medicine, and HIV care.
She has worked in the same GP practice in Tottenham for over two decades, valuing the continuity of care and opportunities to support both patients and colleagues. A portfolio GP, Toni is deputy medical director for eLearning at the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), where she develops continuing professional development (CPD) resources for GPs and other healthcare professionals. She is a regular speaker and chair at primary care conferences and is part of the team behind Praktiki, a micro-learning platform designed to provide accessible CPD for busy clinicians.
Toni also serves as Chair of Haringey Local Medical Committee and has been involved in negotiations relating to implant and intrauterine device fitting services. As a GP appraiser and passionate educator, she strongly advocates for high-quality, primary care-based women’s health education.
Dr Carys Sonnenberg
PCWHS Social Media and Communications Director, GPwSI Menopause
Dr Carys Sonnenberg has been an NHS GP in Hampshire since 2002 and is a British Menopause Society (BMS) registered Menopause Specialist. She leads Women’s Health services within her practice.
With over 20 years’ experience as a GP, Carys has developed clinical interests in women’s health and metabolic health. She is trained in LARC fitting, holds the BMS Advanced Certificate in menopause care. She completed a Nutrigenomics Practitioner Programme and in 2026 she furthered her expertise with a Postgraduate Diploma in Obesity and Weight Management. To extend the reach of her menopause care, Carys founded and is a director of Rowena Health, an online menopause clinic.
Carys is passionate about education. She began teaching on social media and was subsequently invited to join TikTok’s Clinician Creator Council, contributing to trusted health education online. This grew into writing educational content and speaking at national conferences. In 2024, she was invited to co-author a book, and is now co-author of Women’s Health Made Easy, a resource for health professionals published in 2026.
Through her clinical practice, digital education, and writing, Carys is committed to improving access to evidence-based women’s health and menopause care for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Lesley Wylde
PCWHS Finance & Governance Lead, Retired Partnership Development Manager
Lesley has over 30 years of experience in women’s health, supporting the commissioning, development, and delivery of services across both primary and secondary care. Throughout her career, she has developed extensive expertise in service design, funding models, workforce development, training, and the sustainability of women’s health services.
Her work has focused on improving access to high-quality care and supporting the effective provision of services for women across a range of healthcare settings. This broad experience has given her a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing women’s health at both local and national levels.
Following her retirement, Lesley remained committed to advancing women’s healthcare and was delighted to accept an invitation to join the Primary Care Women’s Health Society (PCWHS) in April 2020. She continues to bring valuable insight, experience, and strategic expertise to support the Society’s mission of improving women’s health services, education, and access to care.
Honorary Lifetime Membership
Upon leaving the Board, members of the Primary Care Women’s Health Society (PCWHS) may be awarded Honorary Lifetime Membership in recognition of their exceptional commitment and contribution to the organisation. This distinction acknowledges those who have played a pivotal role in the development, growth, and success of the Society.
The first Honorary Lifetime Membership has been awarded to Dr Julie Oliver in recognition of her outstanding dedication and longstanding service to the PCWHS and its predecessor organisation, the Primary Care Women’s Health Forum (PCWHF). As a founding member, Julie has been instrumental in shaping the Society, fostering a strong professional network for clinicians with a special interest in women’s health, and championing education and excellence in care.
Her commitment, leadership, and significant contributions have left a lasting legacy, making her a fitting recipient of this inaugural award.
Dr Julie Oliver
GPwER in Women’s Health
Founder Member PCWHF from 2007 – 2026 | Chair of the PCWHS September 2023 – September 2026
Julie has always had an interest in women’s health, as a medical student loved her obstetric attachment and started off pursuing a career in Obs and Gynae and then moved into GP training. Completed the FSRH Diploma, trained to fit coils and implants and passed the DRCOG.
Alongside working as a GP in Durham Julie developed a love of training and as well as studying for the Bradford Postgraduate Diploma in Women’s health became an FSRH Trainer. At this point in 2007 she crossed paths with Dr Anne Connolly and set up the PCWHF/S as a way to keep networking with other GPs and practitioners who had an extended role in Women’s Health.
Julie has her own business, Durham Gynae, through which she delivers NHS-commissioned clinics and training. She is trained in gynae ultrasound scanning and advanced menopause training.