“Being able to support and empower our patients is priceless.” Meet Dr Ali Mears
Dr Ali Mears is a consultant in sexual health. She tells us about the Trust’s sexual health service, efforts to improve support for patients affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence, and why maintaining curiosity is the secret to a long and engaged career.
Tell us about your roles at the Trust.
I've been a consultant in sexual health at the Jefferiss Wing, St Mary’s Hospital, since 2007. I have a number of roles within the service, including working in the general sexual health clinics. I am also the clinical lead for the Trust’s sexual function service where we support adults of all genders experiencing a multitude of sexual difficulties. This a large multi-disciplinary service, made up of doctors, nurses, psychologists, sex therapists and a pelvic floor physio. We receive referrals from all over the country.
Sexual health encompasses much more than some may initially think. In my clinics, I often find myself empowering people, particularly women, to give themselves the permission (if they want to) and knowledge to think about their own sexual needs and pleasure. Our patients can tell us things that they have never told anyone before, sometimes not even really themselves, and we have a unique opportunity to actively listen and support them. This is a real privilege for us, as healthcare professionals, and is also very humbling.
Dr Ali Mears"Our domestic violence and sexual abuse programme is now in its second year and I’m really proud of the impact we’re having."
I am also the clinical lead for the IRISi ADViSE (Assessing for Domestic Violence and Abuse in Sexual Health Environments) programme. This is a pilot programme, created and led by IRISi, a social enterprise, and provided in partnership with the domestic abuse charity Advance. With initial funding from London’s Violence Reduction Unit, this project provides us with an advocate educator who is embedded within our sexual health team. They provide ongoing domestic abuse and sexual violence training and support for staff, as well as in-house specialist assessment and support for survivors, which is making a huge positive difference.
I also love teaching and regularly give talks on a range of sexual health topics.
Tell us about more about the ADViSE pilot. How did it come about?
IRISi were already running two pilots in Manchester and Bristol and I heard that they were looking for London partnerships. I was already leading on domestic abuse support in our department and we jumped at the chance of piloting this service.Anyone can face domestic abuse and sexual violence, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexuality or background. We ask all patients about domestic abuse and sexual violence and now, with a dedicated advocate educator embedded in our sexual health team, we can, in real time, provide patients with expert support, post disclosure. Our advocate educator supported almost 100 patients in 2024 – the programme’s first full year of operation. We also trained 65 members of staff within the department, supporting them to identify and help patients affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence.
We know how important it is to provide trauma informed care which, among other things, includes minimising the number of times a patient has to tell (and relive) their story. Having an embedded advocate educator in the department really supports this.
What attracted you to healthcare and to specialise in sexual health?
Dr Ali Mears"Being a doctor provides you with a wide breadth of specialities and opportunities and I’ve found a career and a specialty that is perfect for me"
I didn’t set out to specialise in sexual health. I originally thought I’d do psychiatry but, after a few placements, realised that this wasn't for me. I then decided to do obstetrics and gynaecology. I did sexual health (in Sheffield, with the wonderful Dr Kinghorn) as a stepping stone and really loved it, so much so that I’ve spent my career in the speciality.
You mention having other roles, what else do you do?
I strongly believe that the best way to stay enthused and engaged with work, whatever your career, is to maintain curiosity. It’s important to regularly stand back and reflect on what you’re interested in and where your skills are. This has led me to actively seek out things that I find interesting and try to incorporate them into my work and personal life.
This includes being a Schwartz Rounds facilitator, which I’ve done for the last seven years. Schwartz Rounds are in-person facilitated hour long meetings, providing a safe space for all staff to share their experiences of care giving, themed around a range of topics, always with a focus on providing compassionate care. Working in healthcare can be hard at times, particularly emotionally, and it’s important that we make time for reflection - regardless of our role or level of seniority. I am really proud that we provide a space for this, helping people feel more supported, listened to and connected to their colleagues.
Dr Ali Mears"It’s important to regularly stand back and reflect on what you’re interested in and where your skills are."
I am also part of the Trust mediation team, which is headed up bythe Trust’s staff support service, and I also co-deliver training to Trust colleagues. And I am a member of the Trust LGBTQ+ network, a wonderful group of people supporting fellow colleagues and promoting inclusion in the workplace.
In my own time, I'm a new member of a group called Surviving in Scrubs, which do excellent work around sexual violence in the workplace. I also like to keep active, especially cycling. I also love music and going to festivals, walking my dog, playing badminton and hanging out with my daughter.
What are your proudest moments at the Trust so far?
Looking back, all the moments I’m most proud of relate to patients and colleagues. We see a lot of patients who have really serious sexual difficulties that are having a big impact on their life, for instance preventing them from getting pregnant. It’s incredibly satisfying to see that patient again a year down the line when they’re in a much better place or even with a baby.I’m also incredibly grateful to work in such a great team. We all know we’re here for the same reason – to do our absolute best for our patients – and we look out for each other too.
