Pioneering Melbourne fertility doctor Dr Nick Lolatgis has abruptly announced his retirement, leaving behind a months-long wait list for his breakthrough pregnancy treatment.
Dr Lolatgis has worked in obstetrics and gynaecology since 1981 and has devoted his career to infertility and women’s health.
At his Clayton practice, Centre for Infertility Solutions, Dr Lolatgis is known for his investigation and treatment of immunological causes of recurrent miscarriage and implantation failure, including DQ alpha gene matches. He would treat an average of 2500 patients each year.
His popularity grew nationwide as he offered a rare treatment for women diagnosed with reproductive immune issues where their body effectively attacked an embryo.
The treatment, Lymphocyte Membrane Immunotherapy Treatment (LMIT), is an emerging, experimental fertility therapy to help the mother’s immune system tolerate the embryo rather than attack it.
While Dr Lolatgis had planned to retire in 2028, he has brought forward his departure to June this year.
“I’m an old man, I’ll be 78 in a couple of months. My brain is saying yes, but my body is saying no. It’s time I start enjoying the rest of my life while I am able,” he told News Corp.
“The only reason I stayed practising as long as I have was because of my patients, especially those here in Victoria, due to the lack of interest in what I do. I couldn’t just leave them without a real option for continued care.
“Now, thinking outside the box, with the help of telehealth, which I already offer to my interstate patients, along with technology and a network of specialists who are eager to learn, I feel that I can give my patients more options going forward.”
Dr Lolatgis said he has long been concerned about where his patients would receive treatment and guidance once he retires, particularly given limited interest among Melbourne-based doctors to research in this field.
“This is the difficult part. Many practitioners are understandably hesitant to work outside conventional frameworks, particularly when much of the evidence is still anecdotal,” he said. “I know it works. I’ve helped so many patients.”
Dr Lolatgis has helped establish a growing network of doctors in Queensland who are focused on reproductive immunology.
“Because of that, we established a treatment clinic on the Gold Coast so patients wouldn’t have to travel all the way to Melbourne for LMIT treatment,” he said.
“These are the doctors I will be formally training and supporting, so they can continue treating their own patients and also co-manage referred cases… This ensures continuity of care, not only for my existing patients but for future patients as well.”
Patients currently under active care will be prioritised, with treatment continuing under Dr Lolatgis’ supervision until his retirement.
Source: The Daily Telegraph
