New Clinical Lead appointed to Reproductive Health and Childbirth Specialty Group
The NHS Research Scotland (NRS) Reproductive Health and Childbirth Specialty Group has announced a new Clinical Lead and Champion with the ability to draw on both national and international experience in addressing the health needs of women
Dr Rosemary Townsend — a Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Obstetrics at the University of Edinburgh and NHS Lothian — is excited to be stepping into the key leadership role, supporting delivery of high-quality, innovative clinical research in a vital, varied, and often fast-moving area.
She has trained and worked in Glasgow, London and Edinburgh, as well as in Uganda, Malawi, and the Philippines, in turn helping to develop a deep, diverse expertise that will help to shape and inform the specialty group’s direction.
Rosemary is committed to ensuring that Scottish reproductive health research is co-designed with patients, aligned to the priorities of the Women’s Health Plan for Scotland, and is passionate about developing the country’s next generation of clinical academics who she believes can make a real difference in enhancing physical, mental, and social wellbeing.
Working closely with the specialty group’s Champion Support Manager Anushree (Annie) Ganguly, Rosemary aims to increase the number of patients enrolled into clinical studies and cross-disciplinary trials across Scotland, while helping to reduce barriers to participation.
Together, they will promote, deliver and develop Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) activity in reproductive health and childbirth.
Rosemary’s own research projects have spanned clinical trials, digital biomarkers, and innovative approaches to predicting complications during labour, with a particular focus on placental dysfunction, fetal growth restriction, and the prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
She holds research funding from the Chief Scientist Office (CSO), Wellcome, and the Gates Foundation, including as Co-Investigator on the IMPALA studies — a $13 million international programme developing novel wireless intrapartum monitoring.
She said: “I am grateful to have been given this opportunity and believe there is huge scope to increase and diversify our clinical study portfolio to help improve patient outcomes, prevent maternal complications, and advance fertility treatments — these are all hugely important areas.
“I am also keen to see further advancements in understanding and dialogue around reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth with the help of our Local Champions from each Health Board, as well as representatives from Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), Midwifery, Nursing and Trainees.
“Exceptional work has already been done but we must extend the drive to identify new and better treatments, and maximise opportunities for patients to participate in trials if they wish to do so.”
Annie added: “It’s fantastic to welcome Rosemary whose passion for delivering positive change through her vast knowledge and expertise is immediately apparent.
“She recognises the huge benefits which Scottish-led research and innovation can have in meeting the health needs of women, both here and right across the world, and I’m excited about the advances we can make.”
Publication date: 2nd September 2026
