Meet the Team
Mr Jamie Kelly
BM, BSc (Hons), FRCS
Consultant General Surgeon
Mr Kelly qualified in 1995. After completing his surgical training locally in the Wessex area he spent two years on an Australian surgical fellowship returning to the UK in 2007. In 2008, he was appointed at the Southampton University Hospital NHS as a Consultant General Surgeon and has become a highly respected bariatric surgeon.
Mr Kelly has a specialist interest in laparoscopic and minimal access surgery. This is demonstrated in his approach and personal development of weight loss surgery. He has received extensive obesity training in the UK and abroad, specialising in gastric banding, gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and revisional procedures.
Mr Kelly has advanced interventional endoscopic skills and has pioneered endoscopic surgical techniques (i.e scarless). He has spent time in America learning the Endobarrier and POSE procedures. He continues to develop these procedures within the UK and is involved in national and international research trials to optimise patient treatment and care.
Gemma Priestley
Senior Bariatric Clinical Nurse, Spire Hospital Southampton
Gemma is our senior bariatric clinical nurse specialist. She qualified from Southampton University Hospital in 2007 and started her career at Southampton General Hospital, specializing in complex surgical care within in a high dependency setting, for 7 years. Gemma moved over to Spire Southampton Hospital in 2015 to the critical care department and then choosing to specialise in bariatric (weight loss) surgery in 2017.
You will first meet Gemma at your pre-assessment appointment prior to your procedure date, she will also be present on the day of your procedure, at Spire Southampton Hospital, and is a key part of your 2 year aftercare follow up pathway.
Gemma’s main responsibilities include:
Preparing patients for surgery – Coordinate pre-assessment tests (bloods, swabs, ECG), prescribe medication (if necessary), explain what will happen on the day of surgery so you feel ready etc.
Immediate post-surgery care - wound care, liaise with GPs, return to work
2 year aftercare – regular follow up appointments, close support to patients with complex medical conditions such as diabetes
Gemma’s passion is to support patients throughout their weight loss pathway, helping them to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.
Amy Darling
Medical Secretary
Amy has worked within customer service, in various industries, for 9 years - including British Airways as an airhostess. Amy joined Spire Healthcare in 2018 and became Mr Jamie Kelly’s private secretary in March 2020. Amy will be involved in all administrative aspects of your weight loss journey. Amy is very knowledgeable and always happy to help via telephone or email.
