About Medical Education Leeds

What we do

The Medical and Dental Education team oversees all aspects of undergraduate and postgraduate medical education across the Trust. The team is responsible for delivering Undergraduate Medical, Foundation, Core and Higher Specialty Training Programmes alongside supporting our Specialist and Locally Employed Doctors, supporting trainee wellbeing and providing comprehensive faculty development.

We organise and deliver comprehensive medical education and training for medical students and doctors at every level – from undergraduate to postgraduate foundation trainees through to specialty doctors. We provide a broad curriculum of courses and learning opportunities all designed to build clinical competence, refine practical skills and support professional development under expert supervision.

We also support the development of educators: supervising and accrediting trainers, running faculty development and supervisor-training courses to ensure high-quality supervision, consistency of teaching and adherence to educational standards across the Trust.

The Undergraduate Medical Education team

The Undergraduate Medical Education team based in the Undergraduate Hub at St James’s University Hospital, are a team who pride themselves in delivering a high-quality learning experience primarily to undergraduate medical students across the MBChB programme. This is undertaken through the organisation, delivery and support of clinical placements across the trust and development and delivery of core educational sessions.

The team of Clinical Educators and administrators is led by Dr. Etienne Ciantar (Deputy Medical Director for Medical Education – Undergraduate) and Dr. Sarah Campion (Lead Undergraduate Medical Educator). The educators are primarily Clinical Teaching Fellows (CTFs), who are resident doctors who have taken a year out of training to further develop their skills in education in their professional journey. The educators teach core curriculum and student guided topics, alongside supporting students and the delivery of clinical placements. Educational resources are constantly refreshed and reviewed allowing the CTF’s to be involved in all stages of the development. The teaching they produce is innovative and uses a range of modalities including small group, simulation, bedside and technology enhanced learning.

The administrators work alongside clinicians and Leeds University to ensure the smooth running of placements and correct allocation of students. Their hard work and innovation ensure high quality educational opportunities for the students.

The Undergraduate Team also work alongside the Postgraduate team to support the trainees transition into clinical practice and their educational needs.

Guardians of Safe Working

The Guardian of Safe Working is a senior doctor appointed within an NHS trust to ensure that junior doctors work within safe hours and in accordance with the terms of the NHS Junior Doctors’ Contract. They monitor rota compliance, review reports of excessive hours or unsafe conditions, and act as an independent advocate for trainees’ wellbeing and safety. They provide support in resolving concerns about workload, facilitates the reporting of breaches, and works with hospital management to implement changes that protect both doctors and patients, helping to maintain a safe and sustainable working environment.

Freedom to Speak up Guardian

The Freedom to Speak Up Guardian plays a vital role in creating an open, safe culture within an NHS trust by supporting staff to raise concerns about patient safety, quality of care, or workplace issues without fear of detriment. They act as an independent and confidential point of contact, ensuring concerns are listened to, properly investigated, and that staff are supported throughout the process. The Guardian also works with leaders to identify themes, strengthen learning, and promote a just and transparent culture across the organisation.