The British Cardiovascular Intervention Society welcomes the involvement of allied health professionals with advanced skills in structural heart disease programs and recognises the autonomy of sites to direct their own programs, within an adequate governance structure. TAVI programs in the UK are dependent on dedicated specialist nurses who administer those programs, run the MDT, often load the valves, and sometimes assist in procedures as a second operator.

As medicine has changed so there has increasingly been a role for allied health practitioners with advanced skills to take on responsibilities that were previously considered to be the domain of doctors. In turn, that has freed doctors to focus more on the specifics of an intervention that require their attention. TAVI procedures however carry a mortality risk, and the responsibility for undertaking a successful TAVI procedure will always lie with a Cardiologist who has had the breadth of training to manage the various complications that may occur during or after a procedure. This requires years of training, and there is no short-cut, or substitute.

Cardiology trainees have the full support of BCIS as regards their career aspirations. Current trainees are the future leaders of structural heart programs and will determine the composition of those programmes. Trainee positions in structural heart disease in the UK are largely post-CCT and highly competitive, and are likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. Nearly all TAVI centres (including Leicester) have a dedicated structural heart fellowship. Those who do these fellowships get excellent training and will move on to Structural Heart jobs where they will be grateful for the expertise of highly skilled nurse practitioner colleagues.

There is going to be a need for significant expansion in Structural Heart training over the coming years and BCIS will be producing a statement on this subject later in the year, outlining the expected training route for undertaking TAVI and other Structural Heart procedures.

Prof. David Hildick-Smith, BCIS President, on behalf of BCIS Council

Dear BCIS member,

We would like to invite expressions of interest from current BCIS members keen to have a role in the continued development of our Society by contributing to the work of the Training and Education Group.

Training and Education Group Committee Members (3 posts)

The Training and Education Group (TEG) is responsible for coordinating all T&E activities within the Society. These activities include provision of a wide range of educational events for its members, including fellowships, BCIS courses & sessions at ACI. The group is also central to the support of the BCIS interventional fellowship programme.

We are looking for enthusiastic members who have novel ideas to develop the goals of the TEG and BCIS for the future.

We hope to improve the gender representation within the Training and Education Working Group with these posts.

Eligibility/Person Specification

Applications are open to any member of BCIS, and it is expected that the applicant will have some experience of education and training in the field of interventional cardiology.

Candidates should also be able to demonstrate experience of committee work, good organisational and leadership abilities.

The positions are for a 3-year term and will commence September 2023.

Application

Application is by self-nomination, with reference to the person specification above. A supporting statement from the candidate, no more than 500 words, which specifically addresses their suitability for the role must accompany self-nomination for the application to be valid.

The closing date is Friday 30^th June at 12 noon. If you wish to apply, please do so via the form at the bottom of this page ahead of the deadline as noted above.

These applications will be scored by a panel consisting of the TEG Chair, currently Dougie Muir, together with other members of BCIS Council. Successful candidates will be chosen based upon the best scores.

If you have any questions relating to these roles, please feel free to contact us for further information (douglasmuir@nhs.net or gerald.clesham@nhs.net). If you have any questions about the application process, please email BCIS@millbrookconferences.co.uk.

With kind regards,

Dougie Muir
Training and Education Group Lead

Gerald Clesham
BCIS Honorary Secretary

Dear BCIS Members,

Call for Self-Nominations for the Election of Member without Portfolio to BCIS Council

One post available

We would welcome self-nominations for one post on BCIS Council. We are looking to attract enthusiastic and committed BCIS members keen to have a role in the continued development of our Society.

Member without Portfolio positions (previously “Ordinary Members”) are for a 3-year term. The post commences in August 2023 to replace Dr Suneil Aggarwal who has been elected as Communications Lead on BCIS council.

Any current BCIS member can apply. The voting electorate is all current BCIS members. Please find the Job Description for this role here. Application is by self-nomination. A supporting statement of less than 500 words must accompany self-nomination in order for the application to be valid. Please apply via the form at the bottom of this page. The closing date is Friday 23rd June at 17:00.

If you have any questions relating to these roles, please feel free to contact me for further information: gerald.clesham@nhs.net

With kind regards,

Gerald Clesham

Honorary Secretary, BCIS

Dear BCIS members,

I am delighted to announce the successful appointment of Dr Suneil Aggarwal to BCIS Communications lead post. Suneil has extensive prior experience on BCIS council and will work closely with Dr Sukh Nijjer until he takes over the role.

There were two excellent applicants for this post, and on behalf of Council, I would like to congratulate Suneil.

With all best wishes,

Gerald Clesham

BCIS Honorary Secretary

Dear BCIS members,

I am delighted to announce the successful election of Jonathan Byrne and Abhishek Kumar to Council as Members without Portfolio. This was a large and outstanding field of candidates, and, on behalf of Council, I would like to congratulate Jon and Abhi on their successful appointments and thank all the applicants for their interest in BCIS.

Both posts will run for a 3-year term and replace Rasha Al Lamee and Peter O’Kane who step down in January. On behalf of the whole BCIS membership, I’d like to thank them both for their work and commitment over the last few years.

I would also like to thank the membership for taking such an active interest in the business of the society – it is only with this support that we can continue to develop the Society, and truly reflect the interests of its members.

With all best wishes,

Clare

Dear current BCIS members,

I am pleased to report that a total of 9 candidates have applied for the role of Member Without Portfolio on BCIS Council, please review the candidates and their application statements below before voting.

• Dr Jonathan Byrne
• Dr Ahmed Elghamaz
• Dr Angie Ghattas
• Dr Alun Harcombe
• Dr Peter Haworth
• Dr Angela Hoye
• Dr Kamal Khan
• Dr Ash Kotecha
• Dr Abhishek Kumar

SUPPORTING STATEMENTS

The voting electorate is current BCIS members only, please select two people and submit your vote just once. All votes will be checked to ensure the voting criteria has been met. 

THE CLOSING DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF YOUR VOTES IS 17:00 HRS ON TUESDAY 20TH DECEMBER.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact either myself (clare.appleby@lhch.nhs.uk) or BCIS@millbrookconferences.com.

With kind regards,

Clare Appleby

BCIS Honorary Secretary

Dear current BCIS members,

I am pleased to report that a total of 9 candidates have applied for the role of Member Without Portfolio on BCIS Council, please review the candidates and their application statements below before voting.

• Dr Jonathan Byrne
• Dr Ahmed Elghamaz
• Dr Angie Ghattas
• Dr Alun Harcombe
• Dr Peter Haworth
• Dr Angela Hoye
• Dr Kamal Khan
• Dr Ash Kotecha
• Dr Abhishek Kumar

SUPPORTING STATEMENTS