Malone Medical Chambers, 142 Malone Road, Belfast, BT9 5LH
Tel: +44 7454 113 019
Team
Our medical professionals have worked in both the NHS and the private sector, bringing together a wide range of expertise in the field of female health. Our team aims to provide quality service in a welcoming, comfortable environment. We go above and beyond to ensure our patients receive the high level of care they deserve. By offering comprehensive testing and treatments, we strive to offer the most advanced solutions and care. Visit us today to see the Optifema difference.
Dr. David Hunter
Fertility Clinic
Dr Hunter studied medicine at Queen’s University Belfast and undertook his postgraduate training on the Northern Ireland Obstetrics and Gynaecology training scheme. He spent 2 years out of training working as a clinical lecturer at the University of Teeside where he gained expertise in advanced laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery. In 2005 he was appointed Consultant Gynaecologist at the Royal Maternity Hospital in Belfast, before moving exclusively to the private sector in October 2020. Over the course of a distinguished career Dr Hunter has developed special interests in subfertility, recurrent miscarriage, menstrual dysfunction, endometriosis, adenomyosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and congenital uterine abnormalities in addition to the management of a wide range of general gynaecological conditions.
Dr. Charlie Beattie
Menopause Clinic
Dr Charlie Beattie is a Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist within Northern Trust. Dr. Beattie completed his speciality training throughout Northern Ireland with the completion of advanced speciality training modules including advanced labour ward practice & urogynaecology. In his consultant role, he has led the development of a multidisciplinary Menopause service for the women of Northern Trust. He has aimed to provide timely & supportive treatment to patients, whilst providing education & support to other healthcare providers. He has also served as Clinical advisor to the NI executive as part of the UK Menopause Taskforce & has an active role in trying to improve access to Menopause care in Northern Ireland.
Dr Beattie strives to provide honest, accurate information in a manner that allows patients to explore their individual concerns & formulate a care plan in partnership with his patients. He believes that women should be supported in making informed decisions about their care as each woman has their own unique experience of menopause and its impact on their physical and psychological well-being.
Dr. Alice Brunker
GP Clinic
Dr Alice Brunker is a General Practitioner currently working in Belfast. Dr Brunker studied Medicine at the University of Manchester Medical School and completed her foundation training in the Manchester area. It was during this time that she developed a special interest in women’s health. The following 20 months were spent working in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in South Africa, developing her surgical and clinical skills.
Dr Brunker then returned home to Northern Ireland where she was accepted on to the
Obstetrics and Gynaecology specialty training programme, before deciding that a career in general practice would better suit her work life balance, as well as allowing for the development of a portfolio career.
Dr Catriona O’Kane attended Queens University Belfast to study medicine and graduated in 2003. Her interest in obstetrics & gynaecology began as a student while in attachment in The Mater Hospital and she entered speciality training which she completed in Northern Ireland. As part of this training, she completed advanced training modules in Advanced Labour Ward Practice and Advanced Antenatal Care. It was also during this time that she met several patients who were having issues with sexual dysfunction and who found accessing specialist help extremely difficult.
Dr O’Kane sought out training with the Institute of Psychosexual Medicine and has passed both her diploma and membership examinations.
Dr O’ Kane works as a consultant in the Northern Trust where she is also an undergraduate lead for medical students from Queens University & Ulster University who are undertaking their obstetrics & gynaecology attachment.
Dr O’ Kane sees many patients through her antenatal clinics and understands that while pregnancy is an incredibly exciting time for some, it can be a worrying and anxious time for others. She believes that honest, individual advice can greatly benefit patients and their partners.
Dr O’Kane is looking forward to joining the Optifema team and providing patient care that keeps women and their individual needs central.
Dr. Caitriona O'Kane
Gynaecology Clinic
Lynette McKnight is a registered dietitian with over 20 years’ experience and is a member of the
British Dietetic Association (BDA), HCPC, BDA Maternal and Fertility Nutrition specialist group and
the European Fertility society. She qualified from the University of Ulster Coleraine in 2001 and has
gained immense experience in many clinical areas throughout her time working in the NHS.
For the past eight years she has specialised in pregnancy and pre-conception and has advanced
training in Diabetes, fertility and pregnancy nutrition and is a certified prenatal and fertility dietitian.
She has had her own personal experience of going through the fertility journey and felt there was a lot of misinformation about fertility nutrition which caused additional stress on an already very
emotional experience.
A critical part in preparing for pregnancy is focusing on nutrition. Lynette uses evidenced based
nutrition and lifestyle advice to help to optimise various aspects of fertility, including, egg quality,
sperm quality, implantation, miscarriage, PCOS and endometriosis. These changes can help whether trying to conceive naturally or preparing for fertility treatments including egg freezing.
She is driven to provide each client with an enhanced service that is evidence based, safe and
tailored to each person’s unique circumstances.
Lynette McKnight
Dietitian