Medical & Patient Support Teams
We are here with you every step of the way throughout your surgery and after.
MRS ANNETTE MIDDLETON
REGISTERED THEATRE NURSE
Annette is a registered nurse qualified in operating department practices, who assists Mr Riaz with the majority of surgical procedures in the operating theatre, within his private practice. She is also responsible for liaising with the respective operating departments across the hospitals he works in, ensuring that the correct equipment is available for Mr Riaz and his patients. She has worked in this capacity since 2006, when Mr Riaz’ practice had grown to such an extent that he felt his practice would benefit from an additional surgical presence.
Annette qualified as a registered nurse in 1980 and has had a nursing career predominantly in the operating environment. She started her surgical career working in the Operating Department at the Kingston General Hospital in Hull , where Hull ‘s Plastic Surgery Department was based before the service moved to Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham, East Yorkshire . She went on to work as a Theatre Sister and subsequently the Theatre Manager at the Spire Hospital (formerly the Classic Hospital and Bupa Hospital) for a number of years, where historically a significant amount of cosmetic surgery has always been undertaken.
DR ASEEM TUFCHI
CONSULTANT ANAESTHETIST
I started my anaesthetic training in Northwest region, and after seven years of training, I joined as a Consultant Anaesthetist at Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust in 2012. My particular interest is in Plastic, Orthopaedic, Obstetric and Paediatric Anaesthesia.
I joined Spire and East Riding Hospital in 2013 and had been working with various surgeons delivering good quality anaesthetic services across multiple specialities.
While working in Spire Hospital, I joined Mr Riaz's team and had the pleasure of working with a fantastic team of dedicated people who are keen to take aesthetic surgery to new levels. I have been involved in administrating anaesthesia for various operations performed by Mr Riaz, and I have consistently received positive feedback from my patients and my surgeons.
I have also been involved in various leadership roles. I am the clinical lead for Paediatric and Obstetric anaesthesia in the Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust since 2015 and have been an advisor at Spire and East Riding Hospital for establishing paediatric anaesthesia services in the hospital.
I am involved in various charity organisations and have been actively supporting Yorkshire Air ambulance service and Dove Hospice in Yorkshire. Playing cricket and listening to music are my favourite pastime which helps me to relax and stay energetic so that I can serve my patients better.
KAREN MILTON
COSMETIC SISTER
1.How do you feel to be working with Spire, Hull as its new Cosmetic Sister?
Incredibly excited, bursting with ideas to help increase patients experiences at Spire, Hull is already proving to be very rewarding.
2.Do you feel to have been welcomed into your new role, have the team been supportive?
Massively so, everybody has been so supportive from the amazing plastic surgeons who have so much patience and time to explain in detail so many things, as well as my clinical colleagues and the amazing administration staff.
3.What does your new role involve?
Ensuring the patients experience is 5 star quality from beginning to end. Everyday is so different the diversity of the role is one of the amazing things about the job. Fortunately with 20 years knowledge and care of both surgical and medical patients within the private sector and NHS I can ensure they receive the finest and bespoke care required.
4.What are some challenges you’ve faced so far in your role, and how have you overcome them?
Organising my workload can be challenging as everyday is so different from the last – but again thanks to the help of all my colleagues this has been made so much easier.
5.What are your thoughts on your future with Spire, Hull? (Will it be challenging, exciting?)
So exciting I have full support from the management to develop new ideas, and customise the care around individual patient needs. Spire, Hull hospital offers an environment that strives to excel with clinical standards and ensuring best practice is followed. I’d like to reassure patients how non-judgemental the staff here are, and how Spire, Hull wants to promote body confidence and want people to be proud of the skin they’re in.
6.Is there anyone you’d like to thank, anything you’d like us to mention about your position?
Unfortunately there are far too many to mention – the list is endless!
SARAH GRANTHAM
COSMETIC SISTER
Say hello to Sarah Grantham – our Cosmetic Sister.
Some of you may recognise her as she has been working at St Hugh’s since 2017, firstly as a staff nurse and most recently as a clinical team leader.
We’re very excited to have Sarah working in our cosmetics department, which is a valued specialist sector of our hospital.
Sarah brings 20 years’ worth of knowledge and expertise to the team and has experience of working in the UK and internationally, having spent a decade in Spain. In her new role, Sarah is on hand to assist in the organisation, logistics and care of all patients who choose to have a cosmetic procedure with us.
Patients can currently benefit from a range of cosmetic services, including liposuction, breast surgery and varied treatments covering the abdominal, face, eyes, nose and ear areas.
Sarah will help us to boost and innovate the cosmetic procedures we currently offer using her experience of both surgical and non-surgical areas to bring new and updated ideas to the department.
She said: “My role is all about ensuring patients receive the finest bespoke care on offer and enjoy a five-star experience before, during and after their stay with us.
“Every patient is different and tailoring my approach to their unique needs is a really rewarding part of my work in cosmetics. I’m so happy to be helping people achieve their aspirations and feel more confident about themselves.
“Working here, you become really close to patients; the work doesn’t just finish once the procedure is done, and that’s what makes St Hugh’s Hospital different. We help people learn to love themselves and being there to support them long after the procedure is a huge part of the service we offer.”
Our Hospital Director Ashley Brown said: “Sarah has already brought a number of exciting opportunities since starting in her role that will add real value to our cosmetic patients.
“She is an experienced and knowledgeable member of the team and we’re sure she will bring new ideas and exciting changes to the department.
“We’re hopeful that in time we will introduce new procedures, expand the service and continue to help patients improve their quality of life and feel confident and happy – that’s always the goal at St Hugh’s.”
To find out more about the range of cosmetic procedures we offer, visit our cosmetics page.
YOUR PATIENT SUPPORT TEAM
MRS GALE BELL
PRACTICE MANAGER
Gale is the Practice Manager for Mr Riaz’ private practice. She is responsible for the day-to-day running of Mr Riaz’ practice. Her role includes liaising directly with the patients, and the private hospitals where Mr Riaz works, scheduling & co-ordinating appointments and surgery. Her role is critical to the smooth-running of the practice. Gale worked as Personal Assistant and Senior Secretary for the Consultant Plastic Surgeons within the NHS in the East Yorkshire region for over 21 years before leaving to take up the role as Mr Riaz’ Practice Manager in June 2007.
Gale is the first point of contact for patients and can be contacted via the Spire Lowfield address. She is available to speak to directly Monday-Friday 8.30-5.00pm. She is happy to talk patients through many of the questions that patients might have prior to them booking their surgery.
MS SANDRA HOWLAND
PRACTICE ADMINISTRATOR
Sandra’s role in the practice is administrative assistant and will be happy to help in any way possible.
Sandra has worked in the plastic surgery department, along with Gale, in an administrative capacity for 17 years.