Dr Leigh Wilson

Dr Leigh Wilson MBBS MClinEd FHEA MRCP(UK) (he/him)

Leigh qualified from Newcastle University in 2014, with an intercalated masters degree in clinical education. Completing original research into undergraduate perceptions of oral feedback in the workplace, Leigh presented his findings nationally and was awarded the ASME Sir John Ellis prize.

Education has been central to Leigh’s career with regular teaching of undergraduate and postgraduates, alongside roles including RCP Associate College Tutor and GMC Education Visitor.

Leigh has represented students and trainees at a local, regional, and national level through work with universities, local employers, the RCP, and the BMA. Currently, Leigh sits on the RCP Trainee’s Committee promoting the interests of postgraduate doctors across North West England.

Leigh is undertaking geriatric and general internal medicine higher specialty training in the North West, alongside a part-time MSc in geriatric sciences. Leigh has a particular interest in frailty and liaison geriatrics. He joins the GMC having completed the RCP Chief Registrar programme and looks forward to building on this experience over the coming year.

Reason for applying for the scheme

During his time as RCP Chief Registrar, Leigh saw the value that clinicians can bring to senior discussions in healthcare organisations, providing clinical context to help understand the reality of patient-facing work. Simultaneously, by learning more about the trust and healthcare systems in which he worked, he was able to provide higher quality, more efficient care to his patients.

An aging population will bring increased levels of clinical complexity and frailty, requiring transformative change across the NHS. A co-ordinated approach between clinicians and service leaders is needed to deliver this change. Schemes such as the National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow Scheme can help break down the artificial barriers between clinicians and leaders, developing shared understanding and challenging the ‘us and them’ mentality which is all too common in our health service.

Leigh sees undertaking the scheme as an opportunity to become immersed in a totally different workplace and develop his experience in the skills which are key to becoming an effective clinical leader such as project management, strategy and collaboration. He looks forward to learning new ways of working and building relationships with colleagues from a wide range of backgrounds.