Experienced Medical Team

Dr Jo Ashcroft

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Health Psychology, DClinPsy, PGDip CBT

Background

I obtained my doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry in 2010. I am registered with the Health Professionals Council (HCPC) and am a chartered member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). I obtained accreditation in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy with Royal Holloway, University of London, in 2013, and so I am also a member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

Experience

I have over 12 years experience working for the NHS, private and charity sector supporting people affected by physical health conditions and their treatment. I provide psychological support to individuals exploring bariatric surgery. I recognise the importance of addressing emotional and psychological factors in order to achieve the best outcomes for you.

I offer pre-operative assessments to help you consider your emotional and psychological needs prior to surgery. I can provide reports for the surgical team if required, and would be happy to consult with your care team regarding the support you may need throughout the process. I also offer post-operative therapy to support you in adjusting to life after surgery. Some of the key areas we may explore include complex relationships with food, disordered eating patterns, emotional eating, body image, relationships, communication, and overall psychological health and wellbeing. My main goal is to ensure you have the awareness and skills you need to achieve the best outcomes for you in the long-term.

I also provide therapy to support you during and after your weight loss surgery. The sorts of issues I can help you with include:

• Preparing practically and emotionally for surgery, often supporting you to implement changes to your diet and lifestyle prior to surgery.
• Identifying and managing patterns of eating that may be connected to emotional distress and finding alternative strategies to manage these emotions.
• Adjusting to the changes you will experience post-operatively, such as your body image, lifestyle, communication and relationships (including your relationship with food).
• Identifying and managing problematic eating habits and patterns following surgery.
• Maintaining change, managing setbacks and coping with weight regain.

Therapeutic Approaches

I work with a range of therapeutic models, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), third wave cognitive behavioural therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness, as well as systemic, narrative and existential approaches. I work with individuals, couples and families.

Veronica Giudice

Bariatric Specialist and Complex Obesity Dietician

Hi there, I’m Veronica, a Bariatric Surgery Specialist and Complex Obesity Dietitian. I have dedicated the last 17 years of my life to helping people to achieve better health, confidence, and quality of life through nutrition. Early on in my career, I helped people with all kinds of health conditions, mostly people who needed to gain weight! Around 5 years ago, I started working with people living with obesity, and I have never looked back. I work with people who are using weight loss surgery procedures, such as the sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and intragastric balloons, as tools to help them to manage their weight.

I help them to achieve the best outcome possible by teaching them how to adapt their nutrition accordingly. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing someone who has struggled with their weight all their life, completely change their relationship with food and finally lose weight and keep the weight off.

Mr Scott Lonnee

Specialist Bariatric Dietician

Scott works closely with patients to assist, facilitate, and support the long-term dietary change required to enable people to reach their weight loss goals.

Native to Australia, Scott married a UK national and has lived in London since late 1999.

As an overweight teenager, Scott took up exercise, changed his diet, and found he was able to take control of his weight. Spurred on by this he started a career in sport and recreation helping countless clients achieve their health and fitness objectives.

After moving to the UK, he retrained to become a dietician and graduated from London Metropolitan University in 2005 with a BSc (Hons) Degree in Human Nutrition & Dietetics.

Scott has continued working at St George's Hospital London since 2006 specifically with the bariatric team from 2008. His primary area of interest as a Dietician has been weight management and helping patients achieve the best possible outcome with bariatric surgery.

Scott is registered with the Health Professions Council (HPC) and the British Dietetic Association (BDA).

Dr Jenny Radcliffe

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Jenny Radcliffe is a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience working with patients with chronic and complex physical health problems. Since 2005, she has had special interest in obesity and bariatric surgery, working with several NHS Trusts providing comprehensive assessment of patient’s needs, and playing a central core role within the multidisciplinary team in considering the psychological impact of bariatric surgery. Over the years, she has met with hundreds of bariatric patients for pre-surgery assessment and post-operative support. Based on this experience, she wrote a book, “Cut Down to Size; achieving success with weight loss surgery,” aimed at offering potential bariatric surgery patients an understanding of the nature of bariatric surgery and the challenges they may face. It received positive feedback from specialists in the field and patients alike and was shortlisted for the British Medical Association Book Awards 2013.

Kelly Ledger

Patient Coordinator

Kelly is a dedicated and compassionate professional serving as the Patient Pathway Coordinator for more than 10 years. With a strong background in healthcare administration, Kelly has made significant contributions to the field by orchestrating seamless journeys for our patients.

Possessing a keen understanding of the unique challenges faced by individuals seeking bariatric care, Kelly is committed to ensuring a supportive and effective patient experience. Her role involves coordinating various aspects of the patient pathway, from initial consultations to post-operative care.

Kelly combines experience and knowledge with practical expertise to streamline processes and enhance patient outcomes. She collaborates closely with medical professionals, ensuring that each patient receives personalized care tailored to their specific needs.

Known for her kind nature and excellent communication skills, Kelly establishes open and empathetic dialogue with patients, addressing concerns and providing guidance throughout their journey. She is passionate about promoting overall well-being and health education, contributing to the success of bariatric programs and the improvement of patients' lives.

Kelly is not only a skilled coordinator but also a compassionate advocate for those navigating the bariatric patient pathway, reflecting a commitment to fostering positive change in the lives of individuals seeking transformative healthcare experiences.