Dr Kavir Matharu

Kavir graduated from medical school at the University of Manchester in 2016 and completed her foundation training in South Manchester and Wessex. As a foundation doctor, she was regularly involved in teaching and training for undergraduate students and fellow junior doctors, as well as designing and leading a variety of quality improvement projects. She then spent a year out of training, in Hong Kong, undertaking voluntary work with disabled children, running a music-themed toddler playgroup and shadowing in pro-bono GP clinics for refugees. Kavir is currently completing her final year of GP training in West London, having chosen the specialty that she felt excited and challenged her the most.

Having grown up in Hong Kong, India and the UK, Kavir has been exposed to a variety of cultures and has observed the healthcare challenges each of these faces, as well as the dramatic impact that healthcare inequalities can have on a global scale.

Outside of work, Kavir enjoys playing the piano, painting, gardening and playing squash.

Reason for applying for the scheme

Kavir has always been enthusiastic about creating a happy and stimulated junior workforce to support the NHS and provide excellent patient care, however working in A+E during the COVID-19 pandemic drove Kavir’s passion further; she is particularly interested in improving training and working conditions for junior healthcare professionals, specifically looking at ways to reduce burnout and compassion fatigue in an already exhausted workforce. She has felt the impact of a lack of accessible inspirational, female BAME leaders and role models during her career so far, and aims to become this role model for others, as well as empower her peers to help her lead on improvement and change for the future of primary care.