The Scottish Ocular Oncology Service is run by Dr Cauchi, Dr Chadha and Dr Connolly, experienced consultant ophthalmologists with a specialist interest in ocular oncology. Over the years we have a built up a close team of doctors , nurses, and non-medical staff from different backgrounds. These include:
- Ophthalmologists (Eye doctors, both at consultant and registrar level)
- Radiologists (Experts in CT, MRI, and Ultrasound scans),
- Oncologists (Cancer specialists),
- Pathologists (Experts in analysing tumours)
- Specialist ophthalmic nurses (Nurses trained in counselling and able to answer questions about your diagnosis and treatment).
- Anaesthetists (Experts at putting you to sleep for your operation)
- Service Coordinators
- Medical Photographers
Every Thursday morning we have our multidisciplinary team meeting (MDT). This is where we discuss patients who were listed for treatment the week before, and new patients coming to the clinic that day. Below are synopsis of the doctors and nurses from our team.
Ophthalmologists
Dr Cauchi
Dr Cauchi graduated from the Royal Free Hospital, University of London in 1996. His first interest in ophthalmology developed as a medical student, following in the footsteps of his grandfather who was also an ophthalmologist. He then did extra training in oculoplastics, orbits and ocular oncology. Dr Cauchi is one of the consultant ophthalmologists who run the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service.
Dr Chadha
Dr Chadha graduated from the University of Delhi in 1997 and underwent his basic and higher specialist training in ophthalmology at Edinburgh before doing a Fellowship in Ophthalmic Oncology and Oculoplastic Surgery at Glasgow in 2008-2009. He has been a Consultant in the West of Scotland since 2009 and is now one of the Consultants responsible for delivering the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service.
Dr Connolly
Dr. Julie Connolly started her career in academic research, completing her PhD from the University of Glasgow before undertaking further research roles in the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research. She subsequently graduated from University of Glasgow medical school before completing Ophthalmology specialty training and a fellowship in ocular oncology and oculoplastics in the West of Scotland Deanery. Dr Connolly is one of the consultants responsible for delivering the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service.
Oncologists
Dr Ritchie and Dr Schipani are the two Consultant Oncologists that work with the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service.
Dr. Schipani
Dr Schipani graduated from the University of Milan (Italy) in 2001. He underwent his Clinical oncology specialist training from 2002 to 2006, University of Milano-Bicocca (Italy) and worked as a consultant oncologist in Italy for three years. After taking a consultant job in Glasgow in 2009, Dr Schipani has developed a specialist interest in treating eye cancers and joined the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service team since September 2016.
Dr. Ritchie
Dr Ritchie after receiving her medical degree from Glasgow University started her clinical oncology training in 1986. She became a consultant oncologist in 1993 and has a specialist interest in radiotherapy treatment for eye cancers and skin tumours around the eye. She is one of the two consultant oncologists that help decide the correct treatment for patients with eye cancer.
Radiologists
Dr Cram is a consultant radiologist who has a specialist interest in Ocular Radiology. Below is the background of his career to date.
Dr Cram
Dr Cram graduated from St Andrews University in 2003 and received his medical degree from Manchester University in 2006. He decided to become at radiologist in 2007 and studied radiology in the West of Scotland Deanery. After becoming a full time consultant in August 2013 he is now one of the two Radiologists who work with the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service.
Pathologists
Dr Roberts and Dr Thum are both consultant pathologists that work with the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service. A summary of their experience to date is outlined below
Dr Roberts
Dr Roberts graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1991. During her training in general pathology she undertook a fellowship at the University of Illinois at Chicago undertaking research for her MD in ocular toxoplasmosis. On returning to Glasgow she completed her training in ophthalmic pathology under Professor William Lee before taking up a consultant position in 1998. She is a member and former secretary and president of the British Association of Ophthalmic Pathology and a member and former secretary of the European Ophthalmic Pathology society. In conjunction with Dr Thum she provides eye pathology input for the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service.
Dr Thum
Dr Thum graduated from medicine in Aberdeen in 2001. After years of practising ophthalmology, he decided to pursue a career in Pathology and started his training in Edinburgh in 2007. He became a consultant pathologist in 2015 and has been working with the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service for one year. Dr Thum is one of the two pathologists in our team who examine cells and tissue from tumour samples to help us select the best cancer treatment.
Nurses
Our team of nurses play an integral role in counselling and caring for patients throughout their diagnosis and treatment. Below is a summary of Agnes, Julie, Gayle and Nichola’s experience and training to date.
Agnes Macleod
Charge nurse Macleod trained in the Western Infirmary, receiving her nursing degree in 1989. She has been working with the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service team since 1994. Having had completed the Professional Studies Ophthalmic and Counseling Skills courses, she provides care and support to eye cancer patients attending the clinic and staying on the ward.
Gayle Williamson
Staff nurse Gayle Williamson trained in Stirling University and graduated from nursing in 2012. She has completed her post-graduate Eye course in 2018 and her counselling course in 2019. She has been part of the Scottish Ocular Oncology team since 2016 helping provide care and support to eye cancer patients attending the clinic.
Nichola Campbell
Staff nurse Nichola Campbell trained in Glasgow Caledonian University and graduated in 2010. She began working in the ophthalmology ward in 2012 and has been working with the ocular oncology team since 2014. She plays an integral role in seeing patients through their initial diagnosis, treatment, and post-operative care.
Fiona Wallace
Staff nurse Fiona Wallace trained in Edinburgh Napier University and graduated from nursing in 2003, she has completed her post-graduate Eye course in 2021. She has been part of the Scottish Ocular Oncology team since 2008 helping provide care and support to eye cancer patients attending the clinic.
Scientists
More information coming soon….
Service Coordinator
Susan Ewan
Susan Ewan is the service coordinator for the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service. She has been providing comprehensive secretarial and administrative support to the Scottish Ocular Oncology Service since June 2004. Susan is the main point of contact for Health Professionals and patients alike. She arranges new appointments, scans and any treatments that may be required along with travel arrangements and transfer of information to the Douglas Cycloton Unit for patients having proton beam therapy.