Our Dynamic and Specialist Team
Meet our team
Thames Valley Scar Clinic is a specialist scar, skin and rejuvenation laser clinic ran by Consultant Plastic Surgeons who are experts in this field.
The team is led by Alexandra Atkins-Murray, a specialist in burns, scars and rejuvenation and a pioneer in Laser and RECELL.
Alex Atkins-Murray
Ms. Alexandra Atkins-Murray is highly regarded as one of the leading burns surgeons in the country. She has gained international recognition for her clinical expertise, research accomplishments, and for establishing a prestigious NHS service in the Thames Valley region.
Trained in plastic surgery in London and Yorkshire, and after earning her doctorate in angiogenesis from the University of Hull, she gained specialized experience in burns and scars in Australia. Her time with Fiona Wood in Perth, widely regarded as the best unit in the world for scar outcomes, defined her practice by integrating excellent clinical work and science. Appointed as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon to Buckinghamshire NHS Trust in 2015, Alex was tasked with modernizing the burns and scar service, which she has accomplished with enviable praise.
The Scar Clinic and MDT, along with the laser service, are recognized as an outstanding regional service. Alex, who previously chaired the London South East Burns Network (LSEBN) and currently leads the burns unit at Buckinghamshire NHS Trust, has established a strong reputation nationally and internationally. Alex remains actively involved in burn and scar research and was recently appointed as the clinical director of Restore Charity, which focuses on burn injury research.
The surgeon’s exceptional skills are highly sought after for her expertise in abdominal wall, gynaecological, and perineal reconstruction. Alex has been instrumental in establishing a highly respected regional MDT service for these issues, working closely with gynecology and general surgical colleagues. She has also given national presentations on this topic, solidifying her reputation as a prominent figure in the field.
The Thames Valley Scar Clinic is a vision Alex has developed over a number of years and in this setting she is now able to offer rejuvenation and treatment on non-scar conditions to her extensive list of procedures. Alex’s experience leading the best teams to take care of patients with complex physical and emotional needs is what will ensure the highest quality clinical care and a holistic approach that underpins the very ethos of the clinic.
Find out more about Alex’s NHS Practice…
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Sara Atkins-Murray
Originally trained in Plastic Surgery in Yorkshire, Sara specialised in limb reconstruction with experience in some of the most prestigious units in the world spending time in Australia, America and Asia and was appointed to Oxford University NHS trust as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon in 2014. Since then she has been part of the team that developed the major trauma unit, now consistently one of the most successful in the UK for performance. Sara became the clinical lead for Trauma and Burns in 2022 and encourages the team to achieve excellent care for patients with the changes she has brought in. Sara has further specialised in nerve injuries and leads the Oxford Nerve MDT for all traumatic nerve injuries. In addition to her trauma work, Sara’s other main interest is children born with limb differences, and she works as part of a team to provide regional care and surgery for these children.
Sara brings extensive experience in quality improvement and research, having gained invaluable insights during her time with Robert Acland, a renowned figure in Plastic Surgery in Louisville. Her fellowship at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne reinforced her passion for clinical outcome studies.
At Thames Valley Scar Clinic, she adeptly leverages her leadership and innovation to oversee business operations and apply her exceptional clinical skills. In her role as the operational director, Sara decisively drives the day-to-day practice operations and future strategy, drawing on her extensive experience in leading high-performance teams under pressure to guarantee top-quality clinic performance.
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
People
Alex Atkins-Murray
Consultants Plastic Surgeons & Medical Director
Alex is the senior surgeon and oversees all treatment plans and procedures. As the medical director, she also has oversight on all clinical pathways, governance and CQC processes.
Sara Atkins-Murray
Consultants Plastic Surgeon & Operational Director
Sara plans, designs and oversees the running of the business and clinic. As the operational director she has oversight on all health and safety related to the building, patient communications and non-clinical processes.
TBC is your first point of contact communicating in person as the front of house and also phone and email. TBC is happy to help and direct any clinical queries to the surgical team. TBC oversees appointments, procedure bookings and invoices.
Zoe Avent
Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Laser Specialist & Nursing lead
Zoe is a highly specialised Advanced Nurse Practitioner. Like Alex, her NHS work is at the Buckinghamshire NHS Trust where she specialises in scar treatment, including performing independent laser and operating lists. At TVSC, she sees patients peri-operatively as another experienced scar and laser clinician. Additionally, she works with Alex to provide qualitative assessment, laser treatments, and post-operative care. Zoe also assists with the maintenance of the lasers and laser protection safety adherence.
Carol Li
Specialist in compression garments
Carol is a very skilled seamstress and garment maker whose skills were developed and honed in the world of theatre. She even made costumes for the London Olympics! Her NHS work is at Buckinghamshire NHS Trust where she makes bespoke garments for all of the scar patients seen through the MDT. Here, she makes top quality custom made pressure garments from the best fabrics for our patients. She often puts a personal touch into the design and incorporates silicone treatments.
Associates
As a small company, we have other healthcare professionals that help us provide the MDT approach we value so highly. Currently, psychology treatment is provided by a small specialist private team if required. We also have specialist plastic surgical nurses who join us and scrub for minor operating procedures at the clinic.
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