What is a SuppoRTT Champion?
Each employing trust within the South West region has a designated SuppoRTT Champion, whose role is to oversee the return-to-work process. There are 19 hospital trust-based Champions, as well as one GP Champion for Peninsula and one GP Champion for Severn. They are all hospital consultants/GPs working within the trust. One of the roles of the SuppoRTT Champion is to liaise with the unit/department, particularly the Clinical Lead, College or Specialty Tutor and the ES prior to a trainee’s return date, to highlight that the trainee is returning from a period of absence and additional support and enhanced supervision of the trainee is required during the return period. Throughout the process, the trainee’s reviews will be with their educational supervisor, but if additional guidance or support is required, the SuppoRTT Champions are a fantastic resource. They will have detailed knowledge of the local and regional resources available for return to training e.g. SuppoRTT mentoring scheme, return to training events such as one-day conferences and study days. They can also refer directly to their trust Occupational Health department and to the Professional Development Unit at HEE SW and will be instrumental in the new peer mentoring network that is being established.
Peninsula SuppoRTT Champions
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Ellen Wilkinson
Ellen Wilkinson is an adult psychiatrist based in Cornwall. She has been a Clinical Tutor, an Educational Supervisor an appraiser and a mentor.
She was Medical Director at CFT 2006-2019 and has held a number of national roles at The Royal College of Psychiatrists. She currently has a portfolio career: as Chief Clinical Information Officer at CFT, Associate at the Southwest Academic Health Science Network, Responsible Person for Fitness to Practise at Exeter University Medical School. She has two (now adult) children and enjoys travel, yoga, Park running and live music.
Devon Partnership NHS Trust
Dr Simona Brown
I have worked in the Peninsula for nearly ten years in various positions: staff grade, speciality trainee and old age psychiatry consultant. I worked part time and full time for periods of time. I experienced juggling work, maternity leave, exams with demands of clinical duties.
With the hindsight I felt that Katy Perry’s song ‘Wide awake’ kind of summed it up for me: ‘I wish I knew then what I know now’, yes hindsight makes a lot of difference. I welcome greatly the current initiative to improve junior doctors' experience and I feel committed to be part of.
Livewell Southwest
Dr Ben Parker
I am the SuppoRTT Champion for Livewell Southwest. I am a consultant psychiatrist for Children and Adolescents and have worked in South Devon since 2016. Prior to that I completed my post-graduate training in London and since 2010, I have worked as an in-patient CAMHS consultant in London and Essex.
During my post-graduate training years (and pre-kids), I twice took time out of work to go travelling / working around the world. Before that I was at medical school in Bristol and I did both of my house jobs in Devon before going to Australia for two years.
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust
Dr Lotte Lindenbaum
I have worked in North Devon’s Emergency Department since 2005, previously a SAS doc and now as a consultant, having been through DIY CESR training. I’m also the ED staff wellbeing lead.
I have 3 kids, and first-hand experience of returning from 3 maternity leaves with subjectively bumpy returns to work and occasional imposter syndrome. I am very keen to support you if you are returning to work after more than 3 months out, and I expect you to contact me if I haven’t found you first! There is a great framework to help get you back in to work comfortably and safely, and together with your ES, we will guide you through it.
My interests are staff wellbeing, work-life balance and messing about outside. I am a part time mother, sailor, and sometimes doctor.
Peninsula General Practice Setting
Dr Tim Davis
I am the GP Support Return to Training champion for the Peninsula and Severn regions, I work as a GP less than full time in South Devon. I work one session a week in this role onto of fitting work around a busy life at home with three small children. I’m passionate about trying to improve support for trainees and qualified doctors so that they can achieve a good work life balance and enjoy their career. For more information tailored to support GP trainee's in the South West please click on the following link: SuppoRTT Guide for Primary Care GP Trainees in the South West
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
Dr Sarah Wimlett
My name is Sarah and I am a consultant paediatric anaesthetist at Derriford as well as the University Hospitals Plymouth SuppoRTT champion. I am mum to 2 school age children, one of whom has additional needs. In addition to a longstanding interest in medical education, and supporting doctors in training, I am passionate about high quality healthcare for children. My interest in supporting trainees returning after a break stems from my own experiences coming back after maternity leave, something that I found quite difficult.
Out of work I enjoy making things out of bits of fabric and yarn, and have recently taken up paddle boarding. I really look forward to helping doctors returning to training across UHP in my role as SuppoRTT champion.
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
Dr Jon Stratton
I have taken on the role of the RCHT SuppoRTT champion which has also been combined with the Less Than Full Time champion; many doctors are need support in both areas. I have previously been the Guardian of Safe Working for the Trust for 6 years. During that appointment I have worked closely with the post graduate educational team and have many professional relationships with most areas in the hospital. As such I am well placed to resolve the challenges faced by junior doctors. As a development this year we also have 2 clinical fellows dedicated to your support.
I am a renal physician and working in general internal medicine. I am married to a GP, who is a GP trainee, so between us we have quite a few bases covered.
I recognise the current challenges faced by junior doctors retuning to work and those working less than full time. As a Trust we need to develop our traditional work patterns and I will be happy to address any issues you face.
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
Please contact rde-tr.supportchampion@nhs.net to access SuppoRTT services at RD&E
Dr Siân Ludman
I am a consultant Paediatric Allergist at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and half of the new SuppoRT and LTFT champion role along with Sophie Welchman. I CCT’d in Paediatric allergy, immunology and infectious diseases and returned to work three times, twice from maternity leave and once from working as a research fellow in Switzerland. I have worked LTFT since 2009 and am the Chair of the LTFT committee for RCPCH. I am looking forward to supporting our junior doctors in this role.
I will be covering the medical specialties including radiology and psychiatry would love to hear from Returners or LTFT doctors at any point. I am happy to answer any questions big or small. I feel very strongly that these roles can be an enormous help. I would really like to see all those returning to work utilising this service.
Dr Sophie-Anne Welchman
I am a Consultant Vascular, Endovascular and Renal Access Surgeon. I previously trained in General Surgery so have experience of the training structure in large and small specialties, with varying on-call arrangements. I had my children during my training and I also took a prolonged period out of training to complete a research degree. I decided, at the time of my first return to work, that when I became a trainer I would focus on making improvements to the process of supporting trainees back to the workplace. I remember the challenges of that stage of my life very clearly! The skills and tricks that I learnt at that time have been useful in the ongoing balancing act that is achieving a work-life balance!
I hope that my experience as a trainee and trainer within a craft speciality will be useful to trainees within related disciplines. I aspire to offer a supportive and interested ear to trainees, as well as help guide them in achieving a smooth, safe return to training and a productive and sustainable working pattern.
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Indranil Dey
tsdft.supporttchampion@nhs.net
I am Indra Dey, working as a Consultant Paediatrician at Torbay Hospital. My professional interests are in Paediatric Epilepsy and Eating disorders which are diverse fields and never lets me get bored. Having a teenager daughter and a 7-year-old boy at home can sometimes be helpful to understand behavioural basics of these populations at work! Love movies and have tried singing in past when keyboard tapping noises become excruciating…
As a paediatrician, we have a large number of returning trainees in our specialty. We hope that we will be able to offer a structured and a high quality return for trainees across all specialities in a way that will make the return exciting and safe for them as well as the patients they will look after. We will be working closely with yourselves and your educational supervisors to make this process smooth. All the best of luck.
Severn SuppoRTT Champions
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Dr Charlotte Boyer-Millar
I am a dual trained Psychiatrist who works as an Intellectual Disability Consultant in South Bristol. I work 80% and trained at 100%, 60% and 80% at different times. I am an educational supervisor for core and advanced trainees and am delighted to be part of this new programme to improve Dr’s return to practice – long overdue.
Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Sarah Greef
I am the SuppoRTT Champion for Gloucestershire Health & Care NHS Foundation Trust (formerly 2gether NHS Foundation Trust). I am a General Adult Psychiatry Consultant working 3 days a week. I started working less than full time during my training (from ST5) and have continued this in to work as a consultant. I am pleased to be involved in this new initiative to support trainees who are returning to work.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Leena Nathwani
ghn-tr.supporttchampion@nhs.net
I am Leena, a LTFT paediatric consultant working and living in Gloucestershire.
I am passionate about improving support for doctors at all stages of their careers and the importance of achieving a healthy work/life balance.
Outside of work I juggle family life and Margot, our miniature schnauzer. On a good week I manage to fit in some yoga, swimming and catching up with friends.
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Jessica Daniel
I currently work at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon as a Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV. I am the current Foundation Programme Director, having worked in the Foundation Programme since 2013. I am a mentor and a coach. I have a lot of experience supporting trainees during difficult periods in their training helping them to achieve positive outcomes. I qualified as a doctor in 2000 and so I have had experience of both the 'old style' and 'new style' of medical education and have been involved with implementing many of the more recent changes to training.
Personally I have had 2 periods out of training for maternity leave so I have first hand experience of managing returning to training and I am still trying to achieve that perfect work - life balance!
Dr Bill McCrea
I am a consultant cardiologist in Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I have previously been a Training Programme Director for The Severn Deanery and I am an Educational and Clinical supervisor to our cardiology trainees in Swindon. I have now been in a pastoral support role for almost a year. I enjoy teaching and advising junior doctors.
North Bristol NHS Trust
Dr Rachel Fewkes
I am consultant in Medicine for Older People at North Bristol NHS Trust based within the frailty unit at Southmead Hospital. I completed my higher training within several hospitals in the South West so know the region well. I have had two returns to work after a period of time away from clinical work both as a trainee and a consultant and so I’m well aware of the different challenges that trainees can face. I think taking time out of training, for whatever reason that may be, shouldn’t feel like a disadvantage and that it is important that trainees feel supported and valued upon their return. I am passionate about trainee well-being and support and welcome championing this within the SuppoRRT role.
In my free time I enjoy having outdoor adventures with my family, running and gardening.
Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
Please contact ruh-tr.supporttchampion@nhs.net to access SuppoRTT services at RUH
Dr Gurjit Chohan
I am a Gurjit a Consultant Neurologist working at the Royal United Hospital Bath. I am an Educational and Clinical Supervisor for IMT and Foundation trainees and a Year 3 Tutor for students rotating from Bristol University. I enjoy teaching and supporting trainees and am passionate about improving the support processes and improving work life balance.
I live in Bath with my husband an beautiful daughter. I enjoy reading, exercising, spending time with family and friends and travelling when possible.
Severn General Practice Setting
Dr Tim Davis
I am the GP Support Return to Training champion for the Peninsula and Severn regions, I work as a GP less than full time in South Devon. I work one session a week in this role onto of fitting work around a busy life at home with three small children. I’m passionate about trying to improve support for trainees and qualified doctors so that they can achieve a good work life balance and enjoy their career. For more information tailored to support GP trainee's in the South West please click on the following link: SuppoRTT Guide for Primary Care GP Trainees in the South West
Somerset Partnership / Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Please contact returntotraining@somersetft.nhs.uk to access SuppoRTT services at Somerset FT.
Dr Rebecca Pugsley
Rebecca.pugsley@somersetft.nhs.uk
I am a consultant anaesthetist and the suppoRTT and LTFT champion for Somerset Foundation Trust. Having returned to training 4 times at 60%,80% and full time I have personal experience of the processes with it’s benefits and hurdles to negotiate. I’m keen to help others maximise their opportunities to feel safe, supported and confident coming back to work. Outside of work I have 3 small children and enjoy ceramics, running and veg gardening.
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Samantha Milsom
I am an Emergency Medicine Consultant working at the Children’s Emergency Department at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. I am the SuppoRTT Champion for UHBT. I enjoy spending my time with my other half and our three young boys, Ernie, Alf and Doug, running them ragged in the outdoors. Aims in life include a family trip to Lapland in the not too distant future and catching up on sleep!
Weston General Hospital
Miss Bee Martin
I have worked in Weston for 17 years as a vascular surgeon and during that time I have held various educational roles working alongside our trainees and junior doctors. I understand the difficulties of juggling different roles and dealing with life events and the impact this can have on training and day to day life. I am delighted this has been recognised as an area where all of us can struggle and am pleased to help in any way I can to support our returning to work trainees.
Yeovil District Hospital
Dr Katie Smith
Katie.Smith1@somersetft.nhs.uk
I am a consultant gastroenterologist working in Yeovil District Hospital and enjoy all aspects of my job here. I am a unit tutor for 3rd year Bristol university students, an educational supervisor and have also supported a few trust grade junior doctors en-route to the formal training system.
I have 3 children and spend a lot of my spare time looking after horses and battling an overgrown garden.
If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact the SuppoRTT team, via email england.supportt.sw@nhs.net