Miss Tipples qualified from Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School in 1992 and trained on a North-West Thames rotation working at St Mary's Paddington and Hammersmith, together with Queen Charlotte's Hospital.
During a one-year attachment to St George's Hospital, Tooting, she was able to develop her skills in gynaecological ultrasound and early pregnancy assessment. Later she undertook a further one-year attachment, during which she was able to develop advanced laparoscopic skills.
Miss Tipples works in the NHS at St Richard's Hospital where she is the lead clinician for the Cancer Unit, Gynaecological Ultrasound and Colposcopy departments (BSCCP accredited colposcopist). She is also the paediatric gynaecology lead.
If surgery is indicated for either diagnosis or management of gynaecological problems Melanie offers both a minimal access (laparoscopic) or open abdominal surgical approach according to the clinical problem patient is experiencing. She is expert at managing complex and problems and will often be referred difficult cases to manage / operate by her colleagues.
Melanie works regionally as the head of School for training of obstetrics and gynaecology in Kent, Surrey and Sussex and Nationally as the recently elected vice president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
She has published and contributed to multiple international articles and presents her work nationally and internationally on behalf of RCOG, BSGE and GIRFT. Melanie has nationally led on introducing day case laparoscopic hysterectomy, which has recently been recognised by the CQC as an area of outstanding practice at University Hospitals Sussex.
Melanie is passionate about women’s health and has a natural problem-solving mindset. She is driven to understand the reasons why someone may present to clinic and figuring out how best to ensure a solution, identifying root causes, rather than just treating symptoms.
As a mother of four children and working full time Melanie understands the need for women to be able to address their health needs alongside their many other commitments. Hence her goal where possible is to address as many problems in her one stop clinic approach. In her spare time, she enjoys walking her dogs in the local countryside, she is a member of Chichester Festival theatre and loves seeing as many shows as possible. She also enjoys horseracing and is a regular at Goodwood’s many fixtures.
Shelley works as Melanies practice manager and will often be the first point of contact when arranging an appointment. Shelley has worked with Melanie for over 15 years and has worked in the medical field for nearly three decades.
Shelley loves spending time with her horse and has competed in affiliated dressage. She enjoys walking her dog, travel and spectating at sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Olympics.
Sam works with Melanie at both the Nuffield and at St Richards Hospital in clinic and theatres. She completed her nursing diploma 21 years ago and before specialising in gynaecology worked in the local A&E department as Sister for 12 years where she obtained a degree in acute and emergency Nursing. In 2020 she completed her master’s in advanced clinical practice in surgical care (gynaecology). She has a PGCert in medical ultrasound and is a qualified sonographer. She also holds the non-medical prescribing award. She has contributed to research in gynaecology, has an honorary contract with the University of Brighton lecturing in early pregnancy management, speaker at National events and has recently completed University Hospital Sussex Chief Nurse fellow’s Programme.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and her hobbies include ultrarunning, kite surfing, golfing and walking her dogs.
