Fertility society honours Tayside efforts

Medical work in Tayside helping couples conceive has gained national recognition.

Nurse sedationist Jennifer Ulyatt and trainee clinical embryologist Morven Dean were honoured at the British Fertility Society Conference, which took place this month.

Jennifer was awarded the nursing prize for her work in assisted reproduction procedures.

Morven received the pre-registration Jean Purdy Prize for her research work exploring the maximum potential in human sperm.

Dr Sarah Martins Da Silva, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist in Tayside, praised the achievements.

She said: “I am delighted to congratulate both members of our team on their awards.

“Ninewells is the only UK IVF unit to have nurse-led sedation and this is a wonderful recognition at a national level.

“Jennifer has been an integral part of nurse sedation from its inception, and has led this service for a number of years.

“Morven’s research showing stimulation and manipulation of calcium responses in sperm contributes much needed understanding of sperm processes, which is important for function and fertilisation.

“This research has exciting potential for future clinical use.”

The assisted conception unit, based at Ninewells Hospital, is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of medical, nursing, scientific and administrative staff.

The unit also won the silver award in the Outstanding Team (clinical) category in NHS Tayside’s Staff Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) Awards 2020.