King’s College Hospital’s Paediatric team win regional award
01 March 2022 - The team has won the Best Training Unit in London at the PAFTA awards.
The General Paediatric team at King’s College Hospital in Camberwell has been awarded the Best Training Unit at this year’s London School of Paediatrics PAFTA awards.
The PAFTAs (Paediatric Awards for Training Achievements) are annual awards which recognise the very best in paediatric training in the UK. The Best Training Unit award, which is voted for by trainee members of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), was awarded to the King’s team for their excellence in the education and training of paediatric trainees; bringing innovation to teaching and education; and providing an environment of exemplary support to trainees.
Dr Lucy Pickard, Consultant Paediatrician at King’s and RCPCH tutor, said: “It’s an honour to win this award for the first time.
“Everyone in the team has worked really hard, and I’m proud of the training we provide. It’s great to see that so many of our trainees stay in paediatrics and have long careers at King’s.”
Dr Salley Shamoun is one of many staff members in the team who has undertaken training. Dr Shamoun joined King’s as a Junior Clinical Fellow and is now a Senior Clinical Fellow in Child Health.
“When I started my training at King’s I felt welcomed and that made me feel comfortable,” Dr Shamoun said. “Throughout my entire time training in the Paediatric team I have felt well supported and all my training needs have been met.”
The team was nominated for the award by Dr Justinas Teiserskas, an ST4 at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley who completed part of his training with the team in Camberwell. In the nomination, Dr Teiserskas said that the team made sure that trainees are at the centre of every grand round or patient discussion, and are able to present and discuss cases as equals with consultants.
Dr Teiserskas’ also mentioned the huge support for diversity by having trainee Equality, Diversity and Inclusion champions, as well as a consultant responsible for supporting international medical graduates.
Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “I am so proud of the General Paediatric team at King’s College Hospital. They deserve this award for the exceptional training they provide.
“Promoting a culture of lifelong learning is at the heart of King’s, and we aim to support the personal growth, education and development of all our staff. This is a superb accolade, celebrating the brilliant people at Team King’s.”
The General Paediatric team also had three supervisors nominated for best Educational Supervisor and, in 2021, the team won the South Thames Paediatric Network Wellbeing award, for providing drop-in Zoom sessions during lockdown for staff to support their mental health and wellbeing.
More information about the PAFTA awards can be found on the London School of Paediatrics’ website.