BCIS Fellowship Announcement

BCIS Fellowship Announcement

28th November 2025

The BCIS Training and Education Working Group held the trainees international fellowship interviews on 26/11/2025. It’s our pleasure to announce the appointment of:

Dr Matthew Kelham to the Adelaide fellowship

Dr Michael McGarvey to the Vancouver Island fellowship.

We congratulate them on their appointment and wish them a very successful year in their respective fellowships. We also wish to thank all the other applicants. The standard of applications and all those interviewed were superb reflecting the strength of interventional training in the UK centres as well as the trainees’ commitment to achieving excellent standards.

Best Wishes,
BCIS Fellowship Programme Committee

Election results for the 2026-2029 BCIS Honorary Secretary

Election results for the 2026-2029 BCIS Honorary Secretary

24th November 2025

Following the recent election, BCIS are pleased to announce that Dr Helen Routledge will be the next Honorary Secretary of the society. She will take over after ACI in January 2026 for a three year term.

Congratulations to Helen and thanks to Sarah Carson for standing in the election. In addition, we would like to thank all those who voted.

Best Wishes,
Gerald Clesham, BCIS Hon Secretary

Election results for the 2026-2029 BCIS President

Election results for the 2026-2029 BCIS President

27th October 2025

Following the recent election, we would like to announce that Professor Dan Blackman will be the next BCIS President. He will take over from David Hildick-Smith after ACI in January 2026.

Dan has made a substantial contribution to the society over many years and on behalf of BCIS council we would like to congratulate him on his appointment.

We would like to thank Dr Vinoda Sharma for standing in the election and all of those who voted.

Best Wishes

Gerald Clesham, BCIS Hon Secretary
Dave Hildick-Smith, BCIS President

Ballot for the 2026-2029 BCIS Hon Secretary

Ballot for the 2026-2029 BCIS Hon Secretary

27th October 2025

Dear BCIS Member,

It is our pleasure to invite you to vote for the next Honorary Secretary of the Society, who will take over after the dinner at ACI 2026.

Please find below details of the two applicants, together with a statement supporting their candidacy and explaining their vision and priorities for the next three years of office.

Each BCIS member is eligible to submit one vote only, any duplicates of votes will be deleted. Please vote using the form at the bottom of this page. The closing date for voting is Friday 21 November at 17:00.

Please note Council discussed the use of Group Canvassing, for example using Social Media. The consensus was that this could give a disproportionate advantage to candidates with a strong social media presence. Council therefore agreed that Group Canvassing should not be allowed for the upcoming election positions (President, Secretary and Group Leads). We respectfully ask candidates and their supporters to adhere to this principle, and reserve the right to disqualify candidates who ignore it.

With best wishes,
David Hildick-Smith, BCIS President
Gerald Clesham, BCIS Hon Secretary

BCIS Secretariat, Millbrook Medical Conferences Ltd
Unit 8, Midland Court, Central Park, Lutterworth
Leicestershire LE17 4PN

PCI Fellowship Opportunities: Adelaide, Vancouver island 2026

PCI Fellowship Opportunities: Adelaide, Vancouver island 2026

10th October 2025

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Posts:
Both are open for applications

Deadline: 5pm, Friday 7 November 2025

These prestigious fellowships provide exceptional, high-calibre, and high-volume interventional cardiology training within renowned international cardiac centres. Each post is fully funded for a 12-month period, offering a salary of approximately £70,000. Financial support is equally shared between BCIS industry partners and the host institutions.

The programme places a strong emphasis on interventional research while also delivering advanced practical training. In addition to professional development, these fellowships present a unique opportunity to live and work abroad, gaining valuable insight into diverse healthcare systems.

These positions are highly competitive and are best suited to candidates with an established foundation in interventional cardiology and academic research.

Eligibility is restricted to UK trainees in the final two years of their Specialist Registrar training who are BCIS members and intend to pursue a career in interventional cardiology. Supervision is provided by consultants representing the BCIS Training and Education Group.

Royal Jubilee Hospital, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada – Position commencing August  2026 – August 2027

Current Incumbent: Dr Simon Romaine from Northampton General Hospital (January 2025 – January 2026)

Here’s what previous fellow, Dr Sharmaine Thirunavukiarasu says about their previous experience “ My experience in Vancouver Island has completely exceeded expectations and given the opportunity, I would do it all over again. This fellowship has enabled me to broaden my clinical, procedural and academic horizons having worked in a high-volume centre at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. I have been able to fully hone my skills in complex coronary interventional procedures (LMS, bifurcations, rotablation, laser atherectomy, CTO) and high-volume use of intravascular imaging/coronary physiology. The training in Canada has provided me with invaluable experience having worked in a different healthcare system which will enrich my perspective and adaptability to various clinical settings when I return to the UK for my consultant post. I have had the opportunity to form lifelong networks with renowned interventional cardiologists in Canada.  The fellowship programme in Victoria prioritises procedural independence and having done my fellowship in Canada, I now have the confidence to handle complex cases independently. I have been trained to develop a holistic approach to understanding of patient care beyond the cath lab, focussing on the continuum of care from diagnosis to intervention and follow up. Finally, I have been fortunate to travel around Canada and embrace the natural beauty of its national parks, coastal shores and cultural diversity”

 

Flinders Medical Centre Adelaide, Australia – Position commencing August 2026 – August 2027

Previous Incumbent: Dr Arka Das from Leeds General Infirmary (May 2024 – May 2025)
Current Incumbent: Dr Tom Kite from Nottingham City Hospital (May 2025 – May 2026)

In addition to the salary shown above there are some additional financial supplements to support with relocation costs as well and assisting with private clinical aspects.
Here’s what Dr Arka Das thinks about his time in Australia;  

“The BCIS International Fellowship programme at Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, is a fantastic opportunity to enhance practical skills in complex coronary angioplasty and an array of structural procedures. The friendly team welcomed me into their family and enabled me to develop independence and autonomy in the cath lab through my 12 months. Service provision requirements were very light, allowing me to focus primarily on performing procedures. As one of two fellows on-site, I was able to select and prioritise which cases to focus on, and equally have flexibility on when to take leave for travel, making it the perfect balance.

The elected fellow can expect to perform over 450 primary operator PCIs, with frequent use of intra-coronary imaging and physiology. The site is a referral centre for complex left main, bifurcation, calcium modification and CTO procedures. Rotablation Atherectomy and Intravascular Lithotripsy are available and frequently used when indicated. The consultants were flexible and when possible, booked such cases around my availability, allowing me to maximise learning opportunities.

The team also runs a vibrant structural service, with high volumes of routine and complex TAVIs, alongside PFO, ASD, VSD closures, percutaneous occlusion of left atrial appendages and mitral valvuloplasty. They do just about anything! And hands-on fellow participation is warmly encouraged, making this is one of the true highlights of the fellowship programme.

The hospital has strong affiliations with Flinders University, so there is ample opportunities for involvement in research and teaching programmes. There is local funding available for attending conferences around Australia, an excellent way to visit the different cities. Adelaide itself is also a very friendly and safe city; I came with my wife and 2 young kids and made the most of the beach lifestyle here”

 

HOW TO APPLY

If you would like to apply for one of these fellowships, please submit your application via the form at the bottom of the page.

Within the form, you will need to attach a detailed CV (this should include a personal statement and procedural numbers) AND letters of support from two supervisory consultants. If you have any issues with the application process please email BCIS@millbrookconferences.co.uk. The shortlisted applicants will be invited to join a virtual interview with members of the Training and Education Working Group on Wednesday 26 November 2025, you are not required prepare anything to present to the panel.

 

BCIS Secretariat, Millbrook Medical Conferences Ltd
Unit 8, Midland Court, Central Park, Lutterworth
Leicestershire LE17 4PN

Ballot for the 2026-2029 BCIS President

Ballot for the 2026-2029 BCIS President

23rd September 2025

Dear BCIS Member,

It is our pleasure to invite you to vote for the next President of the Society, who will take over after the dinner at ACI 2026.

Please find below details of the two applicants, together with a statement supporting their candidacy and explaining their vision and priorities for the next three years of office.

Please note that each member is entitled to one vote only. Multiple submissions are being monitored, and any duplicate votes will be excluded from the final count. Members found attempting to vote more than once may have their voting privileges suspended.

Please vote using the form at the bottom of this page. The closing date for voting is Friday 24 October at 17:00.

Please note Council discussed the use of Group Canvassing, for example using Social Media. The consensus was that this could give a disproportionate advantage to candidates with a strong social media presence. Council therefore agreed that Group Canvassing should not be allowed for the upcoming election positions (President, Secretary and Group Leads). We respectfully ask candidates and their supporters to adhere to this principle, and reserve the right to disqualify candidates who ignore it.

 

With best wishes,
David Hildick-Smith, BCIS President
Gerald Clesham, BCIS Hon Secretary

BCIS Secretariat, Millbrook Medical Conferences Ltd
Unit 8, Midland Court, Central Park, Lutterworth
Leicestershire LE17 4PN

Opportunity to Attend SCAI Fellows Course 2025

Opportunity to Attend SCAI Fellows Course 2025

28th July 2025

Exciting opportunity for senior PCI trainees and fellows:

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) has invited BCIS to send one interventional cardiology fellow to participate in the 2025 SCAI Fellows Course.

The SCAI Fellows Courses is the specialty’s premier Fellows-only course and is designed to provide an engaging environment in which attendees can interact with internationally recognized faculty. The curriculum offers participants a comprehensive education in core curriculum, fundamental techniques and tools, and representative cases that will be essential to their future as a practicing interventionalist.

This year’s courses will be held Thursday 10 December  – Sunday 14 December at the Hyatt Regency, Miami FL.  SCAI will offer free registration, and we will reimburse accommodation for up to five nights, 9-14 December. BCIS is also offering to provide economy-class flights to and from Miami.

Please visit the SCAI website and the Fellows Page for additional details about this opportunity.

Application:

Please note, this opportunity is available to senior trainees (ST7) or PCI fellows only who are members of BCIS.

Interventional Cardiology Fellow Qualification: Nominated Fellow is currently in an accredited interventional cardiology fellowship program in the UK and has not previously attended the SCAI Fellows Course.

To apply, please submit the form within the link at the bottom of this page which should include:

    • Your details as requested
  • An updated copy of your CV
  • A short (no more than one side A4) supporting statement regarding your commitment to interventional training and how you will use this opportunity for personal development and shared learning

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 20 August at 5 PM. The applications will be reviewed by members of the Training and Education Group and the successful candidate will be informed no later than Thursday 28 August.

Attendees must attend the full meeting in order to receive reimbursement for the hotel costs after the meeting concludes. The successful candidate will be required to write a full report of the course and share photographs of the course for submission on the BCIS website.

BCIS Training & Education Working Group EOI: Three Positions

BCIS Training & Education Working Group EOI: Three Positions

8th July 2025

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 Member: Members without Portfolio (two positions) and Member with interest in Website development and maintenance (one position)

The Training and Education Group (TEG) is responsible for coordinating all Training & Education 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 three enthusiastic members who have novel ideas to develop the goals of the TEG and BCIS for the future. One of these roles will oversee the responsibility of the maintenance and development of the Working Group’s area of the website.

Eligibility/Person Specification

Applications are open to any member of BCIS, and it is expected that the applicants 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 applicants for the Website specific role would be expected to have some prior experience in this area.

The positions are for a 3-year term and will commence September 2025.

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.  Applicants should make it clear if they are applying for the without portfolio or interest in website working roles.

The closing date is Friday 8 August at 5pm.  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 Brian Clapp, 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 brian.clapp@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,

Brian Clapp
Training and Education Group Lead

BCIS Secretariat, Millbrook Medical Conferences Ltd
Unit 8, Midland Court, Central Park, Lutterworth
Leicestershire LE17 4PN

Training in Mechanical Thrombectomy – The Pathway for Cardiologists

Training in Mechanical Thrombectomy – The Pathway for Cardiologists

6th June 2025

Many of you have long been interested in Mechanical Thrombectomy for stroke as an enormously effective acute intervention with a NNT of 2.6 to reduce significant long-term disability and death. It is still not available 24/7 to our population in all areas or in the numbers we would like or that the NHS planned. One of the issues remains a lack of workforce; around 100 interventional neuroradiologists man rotas in the UK. The similar techniques and challenges to timely PPCI for STEMI do not need repeating.

After more than 5 years of work to try and enable willing interventional cardiologists to train to provide this intervention, a pathway finally exists. The RCR / GMC credential in MT is a curriculum which is now backed up by a training pathway and funding for backfill, allowing cardiologists to take time out of the day job to train. Please see the slides from the first meeting of credential learners with RCR, outlining how this will work. I would be happy to discuss again with any of you who may have given up asking in the past!

 

Kindest Regards,

Helen Routledge, BCIS Clinical Standards Working Group Lead