In a class of their own – the new intake for 2015/16

In September, FMLM welcomes the 31 fellows forming the fifth cohort of the National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow Scheme in England.  This cohort, the largest to date, was appointed from 145 applicants following a recruitment programme designed, planned and delivered by fellows on the 2014/15 scheme, under the supervision of the FMLM team.

Dr Nithin Narayan, clinical fellow at Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) in Leeds during 2014/15, and a key player on the recruitment team, believes each cohort refines the recruitment process year-on-year, and continues to recruit a diverse and enthusiastic group of trainees.

He said: “This year sees recruits from 18 specialty backgrounds, with a near 50:50 split between junior and senior trainees. Importantly, we have not seen any evidence of bias based on the level of training, gender or ethnic background.”

Dr Narayan considers this is an important factor going forward in developing the recruitment process. He explained: “In keeping with our commitment to maintain transparency, and to share lessons learnt, we will be publishing more detailed statistical analysis of the recruitment process in the near future. So watch this space!”

Three new host organisations – Macmillan Cancer Support, Monitor and the Royal College of Surgeons of England – will join the 15 other organisations supporting the scheme in England.

This year is the first that clinical leadership fellowship schemes will run in all four nations of the UK:

•    The Welsh Clinical Leadership Training Fellowship (WCLTF), coordinated by the Wales Deanery, offers six posts in health boards across Wales
•    The Scottish Clinical Leadership Fellow Scheme (SCLFS), run collaboratively by NHS Education Scotland, the Scottish government and the Scottish Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, it offers six posts in national organisations across Scotland
•    The Northern Ireland Clinical Leadership Fellowship Programme (ADEPT), run by the Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA), offers up to six posts in host organisations across Northern Ireland.

FMLM will look for opportunities to work collaboratively with all schemes throughout 2015/16.