Suchitra
University of Auckland
Medicine
Graduate
DBS
3About Me
Having completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, I moved to the United Kingdom to pursue postgraduate training in Anaesthesia at St Bartholomew’s and The London Hospital. I am now a Consultant Anaesthetist with over 25 years of experience in the NHS.
In addition to my clinical responsibilities, I have served as a Governance Lead and Educational Supervisor, roles that have strengthened my leadership, quality improvement, and educational skills.
Teaching, mentoring, and coaching are integral to the role of a Hospital Consultant. Through these responsibilities, I have gained valuable insight into the challenges faced by today’s resident doctors, particularly the highly competitive process of securing specialty training positions. I have served on multidisciplinary interview panels for Resident, Fellow, and Consultant appointments, giving me extensive experience in assessing candidates and identifying the qualities required for successful applications.
I have supported many candidates through the primary and final FRCA exams, which involve OSCE and Viva practice.
I have also mentored candidates preparing for the CESR pathway, supporting them throughout the application process and guiding them towards successful outcomes. This experience has provided me with a thorough understanding of the requirements for career progression, portfolio development, interview preparation, and professional growth within the NHS.
My teaching style
My teaching and mentoring style is formative, candidate-centred, and flexible. I believe that effective coaching begins with understanding the individual. I therefore invest time at the outset to gain a clear understanding of each candidate’s background, experience, career aspirations, and specific learning needs.
I encourage candidates to reflect on their experiences and achievements, helping them recognise their strengths while identifying areas for further development. This reflective process not only promotes self-awareness but also builds confidence and enables candidates to present themselves with authenticity during interviews and throughout their professional journey.
Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, I tailor my guidance to each individual’s goals and stage of training. My aim is to create a supportive environment in which candidates feel empowered to develop their skills, enhance their portfolios, and perform to the best of their ability. I believe that confidence, authenticity, and careful preparation are the foundations of a successful application and a rewarding career.
As interview panels often involve multidisciplinary teams, I encourage candidates to appreciate the significance of allied disciplines in medicine and to understand alternative perspectives.
My past experience
I have more than 20 years of experience in teaching and mentoring medical students, foundation doctors, and residents in training. I have been an educational supervisor for senior residents in anesthesia and pain management.
My Proudest Achievements
Helping an overseas graduate complete the CESR pathway.
I teach
- Medicine Interview
- Physician Associate
- Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM)
My Results and Achievements
- Consultant Anaesthesia
- Experience OSCE
- Foundation doctor interview
- Foundation doctor OSCE
- CESR