Mr Penketh became a consultant gynaecologist in 1996 following broad training in gynaecology and infertility, including an extensive apprenticeship in minimal access (keyhole) surgery covering all aspects of the discipline. He has a particular interest in endometriosis surgery and excision of the disease, an area that demands considerable care and patience to achieve good outcomes with a low complication rate. He attends international meetings regularly and benchmarks the Cardiff team’s activity against the techniques of world leaders in the field.

His clinical interests include obstetrics, hysteroscopy, laparoscopic surgery, menstrual disorders, prolapse, pelvic pain, recto-vaginal disease, adhesions, laparoscopic cervical cerclage, premenstrual syndrome, advanced laparoscopic surgery, operative hysteroscopy (including under local anaesthetic) and ESSure sterilisation.

Cardiff is recognised as a British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy Endometriosis Centre, with a UK-wide appointed senior trainee in post.

Mr Penketh offers hysterectomy by the vaginal route in the majority of cases, avoiding external scarring, and is recognised by the AAGL as a tutor for this approach. Where possible, he treats fibroids conservatively, removing them via hysteroscope or laparoscope.

Alongside colleague Professor Amso, he offers a laparoscopic reversal of sterilisation service following the Charles Koh Technique.

He also holds a strong interest in the psychological aspects of gynaecology, including difficulties with intercourse, and his focus on premenstrual syndrome spans all aspects of management, with particular expertise in severe cases. He has contributed to the development of an online symptom tracking tool available at www.timeformedicine.com.

Mr Penketh is committed to offering patients a range of treatment options and involves each patient in her own management plan, ensuring she has a clear understanding of the benefits, disadvantages and risks of each approach. He prides himself on being objective and straightforward in his communication.

Outside medicine, his interests include DIY, plumbing and woodwork. He is a keen sailor and member of Cardiff Bay Yacht Club, owning a dinghy and a share in a 30-foot racing yacht, Gatsby, which competes successfully in the CBYC series. He also holds a private pilot’s licence.

Some of Richard’s career highlights:

• Research on preimplantation genetic diagnosis at the Hammersmith with Robert Winston
• Training many good gynaecologists to be advanced endometriosis surgeons.
• Chairing Welsh Medical Committee
• Chairing a working party on Endometriosis care in Wales for Welsh Government
• Co-hosting the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy meeting at Celtic Manor in 2019 – the first one held at a conference centre
• Set up Cardiff Endometriosis Centre and also at Cardiff Spire – meeting the standards set by BSGE and contributing to the endocentres database
• Introducing on line consent to gynaecology during Covid and continuing to use it.