Consultant in Focus Q&A with Dr Karolina Skorupskaite Carlyle

Dr Karolina is a Consultant in Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecology with extensive experience across the UK fertility sector, and the Founder of Genus Medical Fertility. Her experience spans a number of roles in the NHS Scotland and England, where she held leadership positions in fertility preservation and led specialist services for endometriosis-related infertility. Genus Medical Fertility was founded to deliver a more personalised, consultant-led approach to reproductive care, while also driving innovation and development in reproductive health and fertility as a whole. With a strong background in both clinical practice and research, Dr Karolina has made significant contributions to the field of reproductive medicine. Her work is centred on shaping care around the individual, recognising that every person and every family’s journey is unique.

OGMN: What drove you to choose gynaecology as a career – and reproductive medicine in particular?

KS: I was drawn to reproductive medicine because it is a specialty where you can make a meaningful difference to one’s health and quality of life at every stage. It combines clinical and surgical expertise with the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients, which has always greatly appealed to me.

The field brings together innovation, science and highly personalised care. It also allows you to support people through some of the most significant and emotional moments in their lives, from fertility treatment and pregnancy loss to family building.

Alongside my clinical work, I have always maintained a strong academic interest in areas such as endometriosis and fertility preservation, which has made the specialty especially rewarding for me.

OGMN: As the founder of Genus Medical Fertility, could you tell us more about the new facility due to open in Spring 2026?

KS: Genus Medical Fertility in Edinburgh has been designed as a purpose-built IVF and women’s health clinic, created to offer a more integrated and patient focused model of care. By bringing fertility, gynaecology and urology services together under one roof, we can provide a more seamless experience for patients.

From the beginning, our aim has been to build a consultant-led clinic centred on personalised care rather than volume driven models. The clinic will include a state-of-the-art embryology laboratory and clinical facilities, with strong governance and regulatory standards embedded throughout in line with HFEA and Healthcare Improvement Scotland requirements. Just as importantly, we have focused on creating an environment that values privacy, comfort and the overall patient experience.

OGMN: How will the centre effect the patient experience with regards reproductive care and the fertility journey?

KS: The clinic has been designed to improve the patient experience by making reproductive care more connected, consistent and supportive. Too often, patients find themselves navigating multiple locations and fragmented appointments, which can add unnecessary stress to an already emotional process. By housing services together, we can offer a more streamlined journey.

Patients will benefit from greater continuity of care through the involvement of a consistent clinical team, with treatment plans tailored to each individual. The clinic has been designed to move away from a one-size-fits-all model, instead embracing a deeply personalised, evidence-based approach to reproductive health, where every pathway is shaped around the individual, their circumstances and their goals.

We are also placing a strong emphasis on clear communication, transparency, evidence-based decision making and emotional support throughout the treatment pathway, helping patients feel informed, reassured and supported at every stage.

OGMN: Will you be undertaking any research within the centre? If so could you tell us more about what you hope to learn?

KS: Research is an important part of Genus Medical Fertility, and we are committed to embedding clinical research into everyday practice. Our initial areas of focus include endometriosis and fertility outcomes, fertility preservation, and the optimisation of IVF protocols. The aim is not only to improve outcomes within our own service, but also to contribute valuable real world data and evidence-based improvements that help shape best practice more widely. We are also keen to work collaboratively with national and international partners so that the clinic plays an active role in advancing reproductive medicine.

OGMN: What are your thoughts on the advancing involvement of AI and 3D technology in clinics and for patient care?

KS: AI and 3D technology are already beginning to transform aspects of patient care, and they have significant potential within reproductive medicine. AI may help improve embryo selection, personalise treatment pathways and make clinical workflows more efficient, while 3D imaging can enhance diagnostic precision and support surgical planning. Used well, these tools can strengthen decision-making and improve the patient experience.

However, innovation must always be introduced responsibly, with appropriate clinical oversight, ethical governance and a clear focus on the needs of the patient. Technology should enhance care and support clinical judgement, rather than replace the expertise and human connection that remain central to medicine.

OGMN: What’s the best part of your job?

KS: The most rewarding part of my job is being able to help patients achieve outcomes that are deeply meaningful and often life changing. Supporting people through important milestones and building long-term relationships with them is a real privilege. I also value the variety of the work, from clinical care and surgery to innovation and service development.

OGMN: … and the worst?

KS: The hardest part of the role is witnessing the emotional toll that fertility treatment can have on patients and their families. Even when you provide the very best care, there are times when you cannot remove that burden or change the outcome. Those moments are never easy, they reinforce the importance of compassion, honesty and ensuring patients feel supported throughout their journey.

OGMN: What has been the highlight of your career so far?

KS: There have been several highlights, but establishing Genus Medical Fertility has been especially significant. It is incredibly rewarding to bring to life my vision for a consultant-led, female-led, standalone fertility clinic in Scotland.

I have also been proud to lead the development of specialist multidisciplinary services for endometriosis related infertility within the NHS, helping to advance recognition and support.

Academically, it was a privilege for my research work to contribute to the University of Edinburgh receiving The Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for innovations in women’s health, which included a visit to Buckingham Palace and the opportunity to meet Her Majesty Queen Camilla.

OGMN: Are you planning to attend or speak at any medical conferences or events in the coming year?

KS: Yes, 2026 is shaping up to be a very busy and exciting year. I am involved in organising the British Fertility Society Masterclass in Reproductive Surgery and have been invited to speak on endometriosis related infertility at the Scottish Human Reproduction and Embryology Group meeting. I will also be speaking at Fertility Preservation Study Week and attending the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology Annual Meeting in London. Conferences like these are an important opportunity to share knowledge, discuss new developments and continue learning from colleagues across the sector.

OGMN: How do you think the future looks within the field of reproductive medicine and its treatments and what are your predictions for 2026 and the next decade?

KS: The future of reproductive medicine is incredibly promising and, over the next decade, is likely to become far more personalised. We are already moving away from one-size-fits-all treatment models towards care that is tailored to the individual, taking into account their medical history, goals and specific needs. I also expect to see closer integration between fertility services, gynaecology and preventative reproductive health, creating a more joined-up approach to care.

At the same time, advances in fertility preservation, genetic technologies, AI and digital health tools will continue to expand what is possible for patients and clinicians. Alongside this, there will be an even greater shift towards holistic, patient-centred models of care that recognise both the medical and emotional aspects of treatment.

The key priority, however, must be ensuring that innovation is matched by accessibility, equity and consistently high standards of care. Striking that balance will define the next era of reproductive medicine.

Staff Writer