Trailer for RCPE's podcast series, Consultant Conversations, by Dr Helen Liddicoat and Dr Caroline Scally.

Consultant Conversations

Consultant Conversations - Trailer

In this episode, Dr Adelina McLeod talks to Chris Breedon, an expert by experience on conflict and conflict resolution. They explore causes and drivers of conflict and the impact of conflict on individuals and the wider impact on the team and organisation. They go on to discuss ways to mediate and resolve conflict, and whistle-blowing. 

Chris Breedon is an RAF officer, and during his 40 years of service has completed five tours of active duty in Afghanistan. He is a Squadron 'Uncle' for XIII Sqn, and supports personnel across the services and civil service as part of his role in mentoring and support. Chris Breedon is a conflict resolution expert who is a mediator and runs a business, Prospero Professional Solutions, delivering workplace conflict mediation, conflict coaching, conflict management training as well as unconscious bias training. Chris Breedon is on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-breedon-ba-hons-mcgi-52612393/

Dr Adelina McLeod is a Geriatric Medicine Consultant, a Collegiate Member of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE), and a member of RCPE’s Recently Appointed Consultants’ Committee (RAC).

-- Links --

SCARF model: https://www.growthengineering.co.uk/scarf-model/ 

Positions and Interests: https://the-conflictexpert.com/2019/04/03/positions-versus-interests-the-role-they-play-in-negotiation/ 

Amygdala hijack: https://www.healthline.com/health/stress/amygdala-hijack 

Betari Box: https://www.toolshero.com/communication-methods/betari-box-theory/

-- Related RCPE Events --

RCPE delivers several related courses: https://events.rcpe.ac.uk/?field_event_type_tid=184&combine_1=

Recording date: 18 July 2023

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-- Upcoming RCPE Events --
https://events.rcpe.ac.uk/

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https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college

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The edited music used in this podcast, 'Corporate' by ProLuxeStudio (available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/proluxestudio/corporate-free-download), is licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

Conflict Resolution (2 Nov 2023)

In this episode, Dr Helen Liddicoat discusses job planning - how to do it, and why it matters - with Dr Gary Campbell. 

Dr Helen Liddicoat first describes the 'nuts and bolts' of job planning to give you all the essential information you need. Following this, Dr Liddicoat is joined by Dr Campbell and they both share their experiences of job planning, and why it's important to get job planning right.

Dr Helen Liddicoat is Co-Chair of RCPE's Recently Appointed Consultants' Committee (RAC) and Consultant in Respiratory Medicine in NHS Tayside.

Dr Gary Campbell has been a consultant nephrologist since 2010, working at consultant level in both England and Scotland. He has yet to find the perfect job plan...

-- Supplementary materials --
https://rcpeacuk-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/cme_rcpe_ac_uk/ERJRJZMyWoVHob7h60zi3UMB3WbjlkSWDT6rwCcpOzp30Q?e=oRT7o0

-- Links --
https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/job-planning
https://www.nhsemployers.org/articles/consultant-contract-2003

Disclaimer: Please always refer to the latest job planning guidance from official sources relevant to your location/employer.

Recording date: 2 October 2023

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-- Upcoming RCPE Events --
https://events.rcpe.ac.uk/

-- Become a Member --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college

Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

The edited music used in this podcast, 'Corporate' by ProLuxeStudio (available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/proluxestudio/corporate-free-download), is licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

Job Planning - How to do it and why it matters (7 Dec 2023)

In this episode, Dr Craig Thurtell interviews Dr Dorothy Armstrong about how to deal with complaints as a consultant. They discuss early resolution of complaints, how to approach formal written complaints, and Dorothy explains the role of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman in complaints.

Dorothy Armstrong is currently Lead Professional Advisor to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman and Director of DA Professional. Her passion is to ensure people are at the heart of their healthcare experience, in an environment where those both giving and receiving care are valued and appreciated. Dorothy's company, DA Professional, supports individuals, teams and organisations to enhance communication, leadership and well-being. Her wish is to bring kindness and positivity to the workplace where compassion, courage and connection is valued. Dorothy is a graduate of Nursing at the University of Edinburgh and now an Honorary Fellow. She is proud to have worked in the NHS as a Director in nursing management and education. Dorothy remains on the nursing register, and was a vaccinator during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2010, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Edinburgh for services to nursing. 

Craig Thurtell completed his undergraduate education in Edinburgh before moving to Tayside to undertake his postgraduate training in general (internal) medicine and endocrinology & diabetes. He was first appointed as a consultant in 2019 and took up his current post as a consultant physician at University Hospital Monklands, Lanarkshire, Scotland in July 2022. He served a number of terms on the Trainees and Members' Committee (2014-2019) and is currently a member of the Recently Appointed Consultants' Committee (2021-2024). His main clinical interests cover adult general endocrinology and diabetes (mainly type 1 and complex type 2). He regularly acts as an educational and clinical supervisor to all grades of junior medical staff, including medical undergraduates from the University of Glasgow. He has been a regular MRCP(UK) PACES examiner since February 2022.

-- Resources --

DA Professional website: https://dorothyarmstrong.net/

Dorothy's email address: dorothy@daprofessional.net

The 7 As for complaints and Power of Apology slides are available from: https://dorothyarmstrong.net/flourish/

Recording date: 7 November 2023

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-- Upcoming RCPE Events --
https://events.rcpe.ac.uk/

-- Become a Member --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college

Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

The edited music used in this podcast, 'Corporate' by ProLuxeStudio (available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/proluxestudio/corporate-free-download), is licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

Dealing with Complaints (01 Feb 2024)

Dr Helen Liddicoat and Dr Caroline Scally discuss preparing for and becoming a consultant with Dr Hannah Preston, a senior doctor-in-training. They cover searching for and securing a consultant job and reflect on starting out as a new consultant and the 'what I wish I knew'.

Listen from the start until 30:23 for 'Preparing for a Consultant Job' and from 30:23 to the end for 'Becoming a Consultant'.

Dr Helen Liddicoat and Dr Caroline Scally are Co-Chairs of RCPE's Recently Appointed Consultants' Committee (RAC). Dr Liddicoat is a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine in NHS Tayside. Dr Scally is a Consultant Cardiologist in NHS Lothian.

Dr Hannah Preston is Co-Chair of RCPE Trainees and Members' Committee (T&MC) and a Renal Registrar in NHS Lothian.

-- Links --

Job Planning - How to do it and why it matters [Consultant Conversations podcast episode]
https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/consultant-conversations/job-planning-how-to-do-it-and-why-it-matters-7-dec-2023/

RCPE's 'Enhance: Mentoring for Medics'
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/careers-training/enhance-mentoring-medics

RCPE's Recently Appointed Consultants' Committee (RAC)
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/careers-training/recently-appointed-consultants

Recording date: 16 October 2023

-- Follow us --
https://twitter.com/RCPEdin

-- Upcoming RCPE Events --
https://events.rcpe.ac.uk/

-- Become a Member --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college

Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

The edited music used in this podcast, 'Corporate' by ProLuxeStudio (available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/proluxestudio/corporate-free-download), is licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

What I wish I knew - Preparing for and becoming a Consultant (7 Mar 2024)

Dr Helen Liddicoat and Dr Lynn Urquhart discuss how to deliver and co-create feedback successfully. Dr Urquhart draws on her doctoral research and wider experience to discuss what makes good and bad feedback, 'feedback filters', and how best to provide feedback for one-off encounters and in established relationships.

Dr Lynn Urquhart is an Infectious Diseases and Acute Medical Consultant in NHS Tayside. She is also the assessment and feedback lead at the University of Dundee Medical School. During her training she completed a PhD looking at what makes feedback successful in medical education. In particular her research sought to understand the lived experiences of trainees as well as exploring the contextual factors which determine feedback success. In Dr Urquhart's clinical role she is a clinical and educational supervisor and therefore can relate the theory from her PhD into practical suggestions for how to ensure feedback success.

Dr Helen Liddicoat is Co-Chair of RCPE's Recently Appointed Consultants' Committee (RAC) and a Consultant in Respiratory Medicine in NHS Tayside.

-- Links --

Dealing with Complaints [Consultant Conversations podcast episode]
https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/consultant-conversations/dealing-with-complaints-01-feb-2024/

Sowing the Seeds - How can doctors grow a growth mindset? [Clinical Conversations podcast episode]
https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/clinical-conversations/sowing-the-seeds-how-can-doctors-grow-a-growth-mindset-12-feb-2024/

RCPE's Recently Appointed Consultants' Committee (RAC)
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/careers-training/recently-appointed-consultants

Recording date: 14 February 2024

-- Follow us --
https://twitter.com/RCPEdin

-- Upcoming RCPE Events --
https://events.rcpe.ac.uk/

-- Become a Member --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college

Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

The edited music used in this podcast, 'Corporate' by ProLuxeStudio (available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/proluxestudio/corporate-free-download), is licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

Feedback Success (4 April 2024)

In this episode Dr Kevin Conroy and Dr Ben Prudon discuss the educational supervisor (ES) and clinical supervisor (CS). They discuss becoming a new supervisor, including how to approach the first ES meeting; Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) and ARCP Panels; the importance of understanding curricula; how to provide support for a struggling trainee; the role of College Tutors; and how to give more effective feedback for workplace based assessments (WBPAs).

Dr Prudon is a Respiratory and GIM physician at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. He is Training Programme Director (TPD) for IMT3 in the Northern Deanery and former College Tutor.

Dr Conroy is a Respiratory and GIM physician at North Tees and Hartlepool and is a member of the Recently Appointed Consultants' (RAC) Committee of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

-- Links --

Gold Guide (Reference Guide for Postgraduate Specialty Training in the UK)
https://www.copmed.org.uk/publications/gold-guide

Annual Review of Competence Progression (ARCP) - UK Foundation Programme
https://foundationprogramme.nhs.uk/curriculum/arcp/

ARCP checklist for IMT Stage 1 2021 - The Federation of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the UK
https://www.thefederation.uk/document/arcp-checklist-imt-stage-1-2021

Feedback Success ['Consultant Conversations' podcast episode]
https://podcasts.rcpe.ac.uk/show/consultant-conversations/

RCPE's Recently Appointed Consultants' Committee (RAC)
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/careers-training/recently-appointed-consultants

Recording date: 7 March 2024

-- Follow us --
https://twitter.com/RCPEdin

-- Upcoming RCPE events --
https://events.rcpe.ac.uk/

-- Become an RCPE Member --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college

Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

The edited music used in this podcast, 'Corporate' by ProLuxeStudio (available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/proluxestudio/corporate-free-download), is licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

How to be a good educational or clinical supervisor (2 May 2024)

In this episode, Dr Cosmas Anazodo speaks with Dr Abhijit Das about the transition to the NHS from an international background. They discuss the reasons Dr Das moved to the UK, the benefits of the NHS and some helpful things to know when moving to this healthcare system. 

Dr Abhijit Das is a Consultant Neurologist at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where he is the regional lead for the functional neurological disorder service. He is also an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.  

Dr Cosmas Anazodo is a Stroke Consultant and General Physician with Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Preston. He is the Directorate Training Lead in Medicine and Principal Investigator for international stroke clinical trials. He is an accredited Educational and Clinical supervisor. He is an MRCP PACES Examiner and a Member of the Recently Appointed Consultants' Committee (RAC) of the RCPE.

Recording date: 14 September 2024

-- Useful Links --

Information on the Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) - https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/careers-training/cesr-certification

-- Follow us --
https://twitter.com/RCPEdin

-- Upcoming RCPE events --
https://events.rcpe.ac.uk/

-- Become an RCPE Member --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college

Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

The edited music used in this podcast, 'Corporate' by ProLuxeStudio (available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/proluxestudio/corporate-free-download), is licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

Transitioning to the NHS as Consultant from an International Healthcare System (3 Oct 2024)

Transitioning to the NHS from an International Healthcare System (3 Oct 2024)

In this episode, Dr Kevin Conroy discusses coroners and inquests with Dr Catherine Elmer. They cover a coroner's role, the support available to consultants, and how to approach the written statement and inquest if summoned.

Dr Catherine Elmer is a Respiratory and General Internal Medicine Consultant for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. She is also the Medical Examiner and Trust Lead for Mortality and Learning from Deaths.

Dr Kevin Conroy is a Consultant in Respiratory and General Medicine with a specialist interest in pleural disease. He is also a member of the Recently Appointed Consultants (RAC) Committee. 

Recording date: 25 November 2024

-- Useful Abbreviations --
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) 

-- Useful Links --
Medical Protection Society, Writing witness statements and reports - https://www.medicalprotection.org/southafrica/casebook-and-resources/factsheets/factsheets/sa-notes-on-writing-witness-statements-and-reports

Medical Protection Society, Giving evidence - https://www.medicalprotection.org/uk/articles/eng-giving-evidence

GMC, Providing witness statements or expert evidence as part of legal proceedings - https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/providing-witness-statements-or-expert-evidence-as-part-of-legal-proceedings

The Coroners' Courts Support Service, Inquests-A Factsheet for Families - https://coronerscourtssupportservice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/CCSS-EL_Inquest_Factsheet_Final29317221_3.pdf

-- Follow us --
https://twitter.com/RCPEdin

-- Upcoming RCPE events --
https://events.rcpe.ac.uk/

-- Become an RCPE Member --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college

Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

The edited music used in this podcast, 'Corporate' by ProLuxeStudio (available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/proluxestudio/corporate-free-download), is licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

Interacting with the Coroner (5 Dec 2024)

In this episode, Dr Ailish Nimmo discusses appraisals with Dr Alex Hodsman. They discuss how appraisals fit into the revalidation system, Dr Hodsman's experience as an appraiser and what to consider when preparing for an appraisal meeting. 

Dr Alex Hodsman is a Consultant Nephrologist with a subspecialist interest in Renal Supportive Care. She is also an Educational Supervisor and has been a Consultant Appraiser for 10 years. 

Dr Ailish Nimmo is a Consultant working in Bristol and member of the Recently Appointed Consultants' Committee at RCPE. 

-- Follow us --
https://twitter.com/RCPEdin

-- Upcoming RCPE events --
https://rcpe.ac.uk/events

-- Become an RCPE Member --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college

Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

The edited music used in this podcast, 'Corporate' by ProLuxeStudio (available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/proluxestudio/corporate-free-download), is licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

Appraisals and Revalidation (02 October 2025)

In this episode of Consultant Conversations, Dr Luke Yates explores getting involved in research as a consultant with Professor Terry Quinn. As a seasoned academic, Professor Quinn has held various leadership and educator roles in clinical research, and shares top tips for those new to research (and those keen to get back involved), including educational and development opportunities, funding opportunities, who to speak to for support and advice, and more.


Professor Terry Quinn is David Cargill Chair of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Glasgow and is Honorary Consultant Physician in Stroke and Geriatric Medicine. Professor Quinn has a broad research portfolio, with core research interests in trial methodology, functional assessment, and neuropsychological consequences of cardiovascular disease. He has published extensively on topics relating to stroke, cognition and test accuracy, and is Principal Investigator for a number of studies. Learn more: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/cardiovascularmetabolic/staff/terryquinn

Dr Luke Yates is a member of RCPE's Recently Appointed Consultants' Committee (RAC) and a Consultant Physician in NHS Lanarkshire.


-- Links --

NIHR Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Course - https://www.nihr.ac.uk/career-development/clinical-research-courses-and-support/good-clinical-practice

NIHR Introductory Courses - https://www.nihr.ac.uk/career-development/health-and-care-research-introduction/introductory-courses

NIHR Research skills e-learning - https://www.nihr.ac.uk/career-development/research-skills

Cochrane Learn - https://www.cochrane.org/learn

NIHR Research Delivery Network (RDN) - https://rdn.nihr.ac.uk/

NIHR Be Part of Research - https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

NIHR Associate PI Scheme - https://www.nihr.ac.uk/career-development/clinical-research-courses-and-support/associate-principal-investigator-scheme

NHS Research Scotland - https://www.nhsresearchscotland.org.uk/

RCPE Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Course - https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/events

RCPE Event, Bridging NHS care with curiosity: clinical research unplugged - https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/events/bridging-nhs-care-curiosity-clinical-research-unplugged

NIHR Impact Prizes - https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/our-impact/impact-prizes

RCP NIHR position statement: Making research everybody’s business - https://www.rcp.ac.uk/policy-and-campaigns/policy-documents/rcp-nihr-position-statement-making-research-everybody-s-business/

Commercial clinical trials in the UK: the Lord O’Shaughnessy review - final report - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/commercial-clinical-trials-in-the-uk-the-lord-oshaughnessy-review/commercial-clinical-trials-in-the-uk-the-lord-oshaughnessy-review-final-report

The James Lind Alliance: https://www.jla.nihr.ac.uk/


Recording date: 5 November 2025


-- Upcoming RCPE events --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/events

-- Become an RCPE Member --
https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/join-college

Feedback: cme@rcpe.ac.uk

The edited music used in this podcast, 'Corporate' by ProLuxeStudio (available on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/proluxestudio/corporate-free-download), is licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

This podcast is from the Recently Appointed Consultants’ Committee (RAC) of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE).

Getting involved in Research (04 Dec 2025)

RCPE's Podcast Series 'Consultant Conversations' by the Recently Appointed Consultants' Committee (RAC).

The edited music used in this podcast, 'Corporate' by ProLuxeStudio (available on SoundCloud), is licensed as CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh

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