Welcome to the Programme Directors’ Corner!
As PDs, we shoulder the responsibility of overseeing your educational journey throughout your time on the Scheme. Our commitment extends beyond bridging clinical knowledge gaps. We offer a holistic approach that involves pastoral support, personal development, and the appreciation of aspects that are not easily quantified in exams and assessments.
In our pursuit of excellence, we believe in providing a transparent ‘warts and all’ insight into the world that you will enter as independent GPs. Our goal is to encourage open conversations that prepare you for the diverse challenges you are likely to encounter after training. By offering a realistic glimpse into the profession, we aim to equip you with the skills, resilience, and insights necessary to navigate the intricacies of your future role. We also hope to open your eyes to a whole world of portfolio career opportunities that await.
Join us on this journey as we go beyond traditional education, guiding you towards a comprehensive understanding of what it truly means to be a GP. Let’s explore, learn, and build a foundation that extends far beyond the confines of exams, preparing you for the dynamic and rewarding path that lies ahead.
With heartfelt regards,
Bhav, Rachel & Nad
Dr Nadeem Ahmed
GP Partner and Trainer Crosslands Surgery, Programme Director
Welcome to our digital space! My passion for continuous learning is at the heart of everything I do. For me, lifelong education is more than a professional requirement – it’s a personal commitment that brings me a great deal of joy. I am delighted to help you develop the skills that will elevate your career into an enriching and lasting pursuit.
What do I love most about my role? It’s definitely the coaching and mentoring. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing someone grow and succeed – and I’m excited to be part of your journey. My own path began much like yours, as a trainee on the scheme. That experience was so transformative that it inspired me to stay and now guide emerging talents like you.
Our place is more than just a training scheme; it’s a thriving community. My aim is to make your time here more than just educational, but a stepping stone to a promising and successful career. I look forward to meeting you, sharing enriching conversations, and making our journey together truly memorable. Let’s start this wonderful adventure together!
MRCGP, FHEA, MBBS, MA (Clin Ed), BSc, DRCOG
Dr Bhav Oberai
Retired GP Partner, Programme Director
Welcome to our educational community, where my enthusiasm for continuous learning shapes my approach to guiding our trainees. I am deeply committed to fostering an environment that doesn’t just focus on immediate skills, but cultivates a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and personal growth. My dedication is driven by the joy of contributing to your journey from novice to skilled professional, transforming a routine job into an enriching life-long career.
As we embark on this journey together, our primary aim is to equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of your field with autonomy and expertise. We believe in empowering our trainees to tackle challenges head-on, fostering a culture of proactive problem-solving and critical thinking. This not only prepares you for the immediate tasks at hand but also instills a resilience and adaptability that are essential for long-term success in any career. Through personalised mentorship, collaborative projects, and real-world applications, we ensure that your learning experience is comprehensive, impactful, and tailored to your individual career aspirations. Let’s harness your potential and pave the way for a future where you lead and innovate with confidence and skill.
MRCGP MBChB BSc DRCOG
Dr Rachel O’Donnell
GP Senior Partner and Trainer Cross Deep Surgery, Programme Director
I wish you all a very warm welcome to West Middlesex GP VTS. Being a GP educator really has been the best decision of my career. I love my roles as a grass roots GP, trainer, GP partner and programme director, and consider my life well balanced, fulfilled and content. I feel very fortunate to have found this sense of joy in my work, and balance in my life.
My wish is to help you also find joy in your life’s work, in what is truly an extraordinary job. There are so many wonderful parts of being a GP. Continuity, trust, intellectual challenge, medical diversity, teamwork, warmth and humour, sadness and loss, and the patient stories of vulnerability and simple humanity we have the privilege to experience daily, undoubtedly makes GP the very best choice of medical career. So well done for making such an inspired choice. We will explore all these themes during your training. Let us try and guide you, support you and hopefully inspire you, so that you too can experience joy, balance and a sense of deep fulfilment throughout your career.
My other loves in life include my husband, 3 children, Scooby, my not very clever, but lovely Cockapoo, restorative weekends away with girlfriends, travelling, hockey, skiing, scuba diving and the ocean
MRCGP, MBChB, DCH, DFSRH