About

About Dr Simon Winder 

I grew up in the western suburbs of Sydney where my parents were small business trades people.  I worked my way through university in a variety of jobs and completed my medical education at the University of NSW, graduating in 1996. Over the past 25+ years I have worked mostly in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, as well as extensively in Accident & Emergency Medicine including in rural and remote settings. I voluntarily served our country overseas on multiple deployments as a Defence Force Reservist including Iraq and Afghanistan. I’m a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner and certified in Diving and Submarine Medicine. I have undertaken additional Master Degrees and regularly undertake refresher courses to ensure my patients can confidently know I practice the latest evidence-based medicine.

I have a special interest in high-risk obstetrics, early pregnancy, genetic conditions, as well as infertility and its treatment and operate at Wollongong Private Hospital. Your well-being and achieving the absolute best possible safe outcome for mum and bub is my utmost priority.  

How I work with you

I pride myself on providing comprehensive and caring antenatal care working in your best interests and in partnership with you, starting from very early pregnancy. I give women in my care every opportunity to achieve a normal vaginal delivery if that’s what they want and delivery by caesarean section if requested (or necessary) after appropriate discussion. I offer VBAC after 1 caesarean or two provided this is safe to do so. I prefer and enjoy partners to be present whenever possible.

Obstetrics for me is first an art and science, not a business model. My two most precious commodities are time and knowledge. I’m not a materialist. I have no interest in wearing suits, driving flash cars or living in a big house (not that there is anything wrong with that). I’ve always thought that way so it came as no surprise when I found out late in life I have indigenous heritage. I’m a thinking clinician and therefore don’t blindly follow protocols or “received wisdom”. There has to be a good reason to do something so I won’t waste your time or money ordering unnecessary tests.

This generation of pregnant women is the most anxious generation thanks in no small part due to social media trends and the opinions of friends, family and totally random strangers who can’t help offering advice when they know you’re pregnant. These well-intentioned “authorities” almost always offer opinions based on no medical evidence or their own limited experience. Experience is not expertise. I spend a great deal of time dispelling myths and providing relevant and evidence-based information. I believe in straight talking. If there is a concern, I will tell you and also the plan for how to manage it. I’m calm even in emergencies because I have a lot of experience and had to do my job in war zones.

Professional qualifications 

Guiding Philosophy

I have a broad outlook on life from many different, educational and life experiences. My background from my military service allows me to work exceptionally well under pressure and I have a total commitment to supporting my patients 24/7 through their birth journey. Two of the mottos from this military service that I bring to my work as an Obstetrician are: “Dedicated untiring service” and “Excellence under pressure.”

Qualifications

• Fellow of Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG)
• Master of Strategic Studies (MSS)
• Master of Reproductive Medicine (MRMed)
• Master of Women’s Health Medicine (MWomHMed)
• Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
• Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BSc(Med))

Fellowship Training

I have had a lot of expensive training at a number of different large Tertiary hospitals with a wide variety of specialist services. This means I have a high level of expertise and training delivering babies. These hospitals include: Liverpool, Fairfield, Bankstown, Tweed Heads, Nepean, Canberra, Wollongong

Academic Appointments

I thoroughly enjoy sharing my knowledge to students as a UOW Senior Lecturer.

Memberships
Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RANZCOG)

Personal Interests

I’m endlessly curious. The day I stop learning I’ll be dead (or completely demented)! I love science history, music, art and travel and don’t mind getting my hands dirty. Above all, I like to have a laugh.

Literacy is particularly important to me. An ability to read opened up the world for me so I donate regularly to local underprivileged schools towards library rejuvenation programs in conjunction with Dymocks Children’s Charities.