The Duchess of Cornwall visited London’s King Edward VII Hospital to officially open the Poundbury Fertility Clinic yesterday.
The clinic is designed to provide treatment for a variety of fertility problems and will use conventional medicines alongside complementary therapies.
During her time at the hospital, Camilla met with the clinic’s staff and supporters. The team, led by one of the country’s best fertility experts, Mr Michael Dooley, along with surgical professionals, including those specialising in ultrasound scanning, are supported by a host of nurses, counsellors, nutritionists and an embryologist.
The Duchess of Cornwall meets with the leaders of the team at the Poundbury Fertility Clinic; Michael Savvas, Alfred Cutner and Michael Dooley.
Mr Dooley said, “I am delighted that Her Royal Highness is opening the Poundbury Fertility Clinic today. Our superb team will be able to offer patients an individualised and comprehensive fertility service run to the exceptionally high standard that is the ethos of King Edward VII’s Hospital.”
The Duchess was also introduced to Emma Robertson, the daughter of the Hospital’s Chief Executive Andrew Robertson, who presented Her Royal Highness with a posy of flowers.
Emma was conceived through the IVF process, which sees an egg fertilised outside of the body for 2 – 6 days before being implanted back into the woman’s uterus.
Camilla meets Emma Robertson, daughter of Hospital CEO, Andrew Robertson, who was born through IVF process.
Speaking at the Reception yesterday, Mr Robertson said: “My daughter, Emma, was born through the IVF process, so I have a personal understanding of how important services like this are. Emma was very excited to meet Her Royal Highness, and she cannot wait to tell all her friends at school about it.
“We are honoured that The Duchess of Cornwell is opening what we expect to become London’s premier fertility centre. The new clinic is a fantastic addition to the Hospital’s ever growing suite of first class services,” he added.
Her Royal Highness follows new medical developments closely and has a particular interest in women’s health and osteoporosis. Through her work with the National Osteoporosis Society, The Duchess has visited numerous hospitals and bone centres in an effort to raise awareness of the brittle bone disease.
The nurses at the King Edward VII Hospital will help to provide the new clinic’s various treatments and therapies.
Camilla’s mother and grandmother both died as a result of osteoporosis, a disease through which bones decrease in mass and density, increasing the possibility of fractures.
The Duchess has been President of the National Osteoporosis Society since 2001, and was Patron between 1997 and 2001.
She is also President of Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres, a charity that provides a supportive and caring environment for people with cancer. In June 2012, she became President of JDRF, the type 1 diabetes charity.
Image Credits: King Edward VII Hospital / Mediazoo
