Trainee Rep Elections

Dear All,

I am really pleased to say that three trainees including Gautam Sen, Krithika Loganath and Alex Bates have all put themselves forwards for the position of trainee rep alongside Tom Gilpin.  Please see below their manifestos.

Please email me on hannah.sinclair1@nhs.net with the name of the person you would like to vote for.  Obviously you can only vote once.  The deadline for voting is Sunday 16th February 17:00.  The result will go out on the blog Monday 17th Feb.

Whatever the result, thank you to all three trainees who have put themselves forwards for the role.

Gautam Sen ST5

1) Why I would make a good trainee representative

Those of you who know me know that I am approachable, meticulous about organisation and supportive. It's with this in mind that I am putting myself forward as trainee representative. I am enthusiastic and committed to improving the quality and nature of our training in Wessex; having previously represented trainees at a regional and local level.  

More recently, having gained experience of managing and leading the on-call registrar rota in two different hospitals, as a Royal College of Physicians Associate Tutor and as a result of having improved our educational experiences in two different trusts, I already possess the skills needed to excel at this role and have a clear agenda to improve training for cardiology registrars across Wessex.

If I am appointed I will ensure that trainees interests and concerns are prioritised and recognised in full; and will ensure that I represent our collective voice accordingly. 

2) How I want to improve training in Wessex

Echo - I know many of us are frustrated by the regional variation in access to appropriate training. I want to work with the deanery to provide bleep-free echo time and have better access to outpatient lists.

ARCP - There is a lack of clarity around ARCP processes, particularly in relation to the essential competencies at the end of each year of training. I want to increase the transparency and create a comprehensive list regarding what is needed at each stage of training.

Procedural Skills - I am aware that developing appropriate skills in temporary pacing and pericardiocentesis can be difficult and largely opportunistic and I plan to arrange simulation sessions for these skills in order to obtain the necessary sign off.

Teaching Programme - I will continue to develop our excellent Wessex teaching programme by adding sessions which can be directly linked to our curriculum

Krithika Loganath ST3

ST3 Cardiology in Dorset County Hospital

1)  Why I would make a good trainee representative

Being a junior registrar, I believe I bring a fresh perspective to Cardiology training with the foundation of experience in leadership and management across different deaneries. I am currently on the Trainee Committee for the British Society of Cardiac Imaging (BSCI), helping to manage the website and assist in the preparations in the run up to the annual meeting this March. Prior to that, from 2017-2019 I was the Core Medical Training Representative in UHS, working to standardize training opportunities across different rotations. I had also been actively involved with the Peninsula Foundation School Quality Panels, independently assessing and feeding back foundation trainees’ experiences across different specialties. In a more social context, I was also the Derriford Hospital Mess Secretary in 2016/17.

On a personal level, I am a very friendly and approachable person who is always happy to help. I have never shied away from speaking up for the concerns of trainees at the local and regional level, and if elected will continue to do so at a national level as well on behalf of Wessex Cardiology trainees.

2) What I want to do to improve trainees experience in Wessex

Training opportunities are always at the forefront of any trainees experience. Following on from the recent survey, there is a need to improve echo and cross sectional imaging training in the deanery. 

If elected, I would aim to get protected time for echo training, particularly in the early registrar years as mandatory across all trusts in the deanery. In addition, I would like to establish a taster week in cross sectional imaging for trainees in smaller trusts to ensure early exposure to this as well as increasing ease of access to Level 1 CT training.

It would also be one of my aims to highlight to trainees, early in training, the key training strengths of each trust so professional goals can be achieved throughout the years.

Finally, I would aim to continue to improve on the safe and supportive network of trainees in Wessex with the establishment of a mentorship programme for trainees who would like additional support. This could be pastoral or professional from either more senior trainees or consultants in informal manner.

Alex Bates ST5

Why I would make a decent trainee representative

With the integration of IMT and dual accreditation of GIM, we will have significant changes in our training and curriculum.  Good representation is important to ensure this is a smooth process.

I fit as a trainee representative through extensive previous experience, organisational abilities and complimenting Tom’s skills.

My previous experience as a RCP associate college tutor.  Here, I created monthly CMT teaching sessions, and organised a 4-day deanery wide PACES course with outstanding feedback.  I represented CMTs to the board in Derriford Hospital and across the deanery, particularly standing up against cancellation of training days.

Having been a SpR in Wessex for 2.5 years, I have worked across 3 hospitals clinically (IOW, Dorchester, RBH) and am now OOPR in UHS.  I am aware of the good, and bad of each of these hospitals, none of which Tom has been to – complimenting his experiences excellently. 

As a new father I am acutely aware of the life changes and challenges this brings, something that many of us will experience in our time as an SpR.

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What I want to do to improve trainee experiences in Wessex

IMT is happening and it will affect our training and sign off.   We cannot ignore or be dismissive of internal medicine.  We need to be aware who will need to dual accredit and specifically how to achieve this alongside our challenging curriculum, procedural competencies, and separate rotas in RBH / QAH / UHS.  I would ensure you are aware of sign off requirements, and our inevitable challenges communicated to the internal medicine TPD. 

ECHO is a core skill and BSE accreditation mandatory in Wessex.  However, it is often overlooked in exchange for service provision or building lab competencies.  I would advocate for protected ECHO training time in ST3/4 to push accreditation ASAP.

Our training days are often excellent to the point where trainees from outside the deanery have attended them.  I would continue to push the high quality of these and involve trainees with specific interests to assist in their organisation to help build CVs.

Finally, I would highlight resources and opportunities on our website for you to access.  e.g. ACHD e-modules, device e-modules, fellowships, research opportunities