Welcome to Thames Valley School of Anaesthesia and ICM
Whether you are already an Anaesthetist or Intensivist in Training in Thames Valley, or considering joining us, we hope that you find interesting and useful information as you browse through these pages.
Our ethos is to provide a learning environment which encourages individuals to thrive as they learn, in all areas of their lives; to provide training to the highest possible standard in all the hospitals in the region and make the journey as enjoyable as the CCT goal at the end!
We recognise that everyone brings different strengths and needs to their roles and pride ourselves on recognising and growing these strengths, as well as supporting in any more challenging times.
There is also a complementary Oxford ICM website which you can find here - Oxford Intensive Care Medicine (oxfordicm.co.uk)
Below you will find some introductory information and short biographies of the Local Educators Group who oversee training in our region.
Dr Sara McDouall
Head of School
I was appointed Head of School in September 2023 and feel very privileged to have this role. Prior to this I was TPD and before this, College Tutor. I have been a consultant at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading since 2008, with interests in paediatric anaesthesia and preoperative assessment.
I have a strong interest in wellbeing and was Associate DME for trainee wellbeing for 5 years and have trained as a coach.
I have 2 teenage boys, 2 cats and several chickens plus a rather attention seeking cockerel.
Email: sara.mcdouall@royalberkshire.nhs.uk
Dr Ruth Webster TPD, Speciality Residents
I was appointed as TPD in summer 2023 having been a College Tutor at OUH before.
I have been a consultant at OUH since 2010 with specialist interests in Pain, Perioperative Assessment, as well as Anaesthesia for Emergencies, Trauma and Spinal Surgery.
I live with my husband, 2 teenage boys and Toby (black labrador).
Dr Luis Lee
TPD, Core Residents
I have been a Bucks consultant since 2017, with a relatively flexible job-plan typical of a DGH anaesthetist. I have a slight preponderance to major cases (free flaps and robotic cases) and those requiring regional anaesthesia. It is my absolute pleasure to support trainees throughout my consultant career with my previous role as College Tutor (2017-2020), and my current role as Core Anaesthetics Training Programme Director (2020-). I am also an active examiner for the RCoA Primary FRCA (2022-).
Outside of work, most of my free time goes to my family - wife and 2 kids, although I do reserve some time for my hobbies (all things tech-related),
Dr Phil Duggleby TPD, ICM Residents
Dr Caroline Walker, ACCS TPD
I was appointed as TPD for ACCS in Aug 2023 and prior to this I have been College Tutor, FICM Tutor and local ACCS lead. I have worked as a Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care at Milton Keynes University Hospital since 2014 and undertook my training in the Oxford region - with a stint in Australia!
I have always had a strong interest in medical education and feel passionate about supporting the education and well-being of our doctors in training. I am an experienced educational supervisor and SuppoRRT mentor. I am the Trust Clinical Lead for Simulation at MKUH and have a particular interest in human factors and simulation faculty development. I have undertaken a PG Certificate in Medical Education.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my two children and husband, try to keep vaguely fit and enjoy travelling, music and the theatre.
Dr Mohjir Baloch
Pain Regional Advisor
I have been a consultant at Frimley for the last 15years and am full time pain. I am an examiner for the FFPMRCA exam and course director for the SUA USS pain interventions course at the Royal College of Physicians. I am the secretary for the British Pain Society Interventions Special Interest Group and lectured nationally and internationally. I developed the post CCT pain fellowship at Frimley Park and am currently training our 8th fellow
Dr Mala Greamspet College Tutor, Swindon
I have been a Consultant Anaesthetist at GWH since 2013 and College Tutor since 2019. My specialist interests include Obstetrics, Periop medicine and education.
Currently I am also one of the Foundation Programme Directors at GWH. I would describe myself as a "hippy/ happy" person who loves long walks, mindfulness and attending philosophy lectures.
Dr Katie Russell College Tutor, MK
I have been a consultant anaesthetist in Milton Keynes since September 2020, after achieving a CCT in both Anaesthetics and General Medicine. After being ACCS lead, I was appointed as College Tutor for Anaesthetics in October 2022. I have an interest in Obstetric Anaesthesia and have a keen interest in Human Factors.
Outside of work I live on a farm and enjoy spending time with my husband and 2 children. My passion is horse riding and I take every opportunity to ride whenever I can.
Dr Nick Taylor
College Tutor, Horton / OUH
Nick was appointed as Consultant Anaesthetist in Oxford University Hospitals in 2017, and has sub-specialty interests in Obstetric, Paediatric, Daycase and Regional anaesthesia. He was appointed as College Tutor based at the Horton Hospital in 2023, and is committed to delivering a high-quality training experience for Core Trainees and Fellows.
Dr Richard Kaye
College Tutor, Bucks
Anaesthetist with an interest in education, leadership, human factors and the environmental impact of healthcare. Retired from HEMS and prehospital medicine, still runs, swims and rides bikes.
Dr Simon Tunstill College Tutor, RBH
I have been a consultant anaesthetist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital since 2011. I have been an Educational Supervisor since then, a Final FRCA Examiner since 2022, and was appointed as one of the College Tutors in November 2024.
My regular clinical sessions include obstetric anaesthesia, preoperative assessment, and paediatric ENT. Non-clinically, I have an interest in simulation-based education (recently finished as Co-Lead for Sim) and hypnosis-based communication techniques in clinical practice.
Outside work, I enjoy exploring the outdoors with my wife and two daughters, and playing in a couple of rock covers bands.
Dr Katy Oliver
College Tutor, OUH
(Stage 1)
I was appointed as one of the College Tutors in Oxford in December 2023 and joined the Trust as a Consultant Anaesthetist within the Obstetric Group in September 2020. I have a long interest in education, starting in my teenage years as a Dinghy Sailing Instructor and latterly with a PGCert in Medical Education. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my husband, children and dogs.
Dr Carolyn Griffith, College Tutor, WPH
I am the newly appointed clinical tutor for Wexham Park Hospital. I have been a Consultant Anaesthetist at Wexham since 2015. I have been an Educational Supervisor since 2016 and have always valued this role within my job.
Other roles I have held within the department include being the well-being and paediatric lead.
Outside of work I am generally kept busy by my two sons and Hungarian Vizsla, Ruby.
Dr Dana Kelly
College Tutor, RBH
I was appointed as one of the RBH College Tutors for the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Feb 2023, having been an Educational Supervisor since I joined the Trust in 2015.
I have a longstanding interest in Medical Education, particularly Simulation-Based Education. I am one of the co-Leads for Simulation in Anaesthetics, and was the RBH Trust Lead for Simulation until Jan 2023.
I undertake a number of roles to support colleague wellbeing- I am one of the RBH TRIM practitioners and act as a SuppoRTT mentor for Thames Valley. In 2020 I completed a PGCErt in Healthcare Education at the University of Reading, and am now honoured to be part of the faculty for the programme.
Clinically, I have an interest in paediatric anaesthesia. I try to to juggle this with looking after my 3 girls and our high needs cat, whilst pursuing my on-going aim of a daily yoga practice!
About Us
The Oxford School of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine organises a structured training programme incorporating the Nuffield Division of Anaesthetics, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
The School is recognised by the Royal College of Anaesthetists and provides the whole of training required for eligibility for the award of a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in anaesthesia.
The training programme is co-ordinated by NHS England England Thames Valley.
