BHRS Council Election Results 2022
We are incredibly pleased to welcome the following new members onto BHRS Council;
Physiologist Representatives:
- Amy Dutton
- Phil Durkin
- Chloe Howard
Nurse Representatives:
- Bridgette Smith
- Anya Murray
Welcome back to Doctor Representatives, Ross Hunter and Ashley Nisbet who were re-elected for a second term. Paul Foley was also re-elected as Doctor Representative (who does not perform ablation & works in a non-tertiary center).
Eleri Gregory (current BHRS Secretary) was elected as the new BHRS President-Elect.
All elected members were formally welcomed at the BHRS AGM and Council meeting.
A heartfelt thanks to all those who have come to the end of their term: Jason Collinson, Holly Daw, Ian Wright, Angela Hall, Sarah Clarke and Claire O’Neil.
Profiles of Newly Elected Candidates
Eleri Gregory
I have been fortunate to have chaired and presented at a wide range of meetings and educational events, allowing me to share my passion for rhythm management with peers, colleagues, and trainees. I’m involved with the delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate arrhythmia teaching.
I have been a physiologist representative for the BHRS for 4 years and honorary secretary for 3 years. By working closely with colleagues across all disciplines I have a good understanding of the different groups represented by the society. The BHRS considers the needs of all associated disciplines, and I would develop this further by engaging with all professionals involved with arrhythmia management.
If elected, I would ensure the BHRS represents the interests of its members and encourages professionals to be a part of promoting diversity and improving arrhythmia care for all. With a newly formed education committee alongside the accreditation committee, the BHRS is diversifying, providing a platform of education for the rhythm management community. There are an increasing number of opportunities for all members to engage with the BHRS and as President, I would hope to further encourage the inclusivity of all members.
Ashley Nisbet
In this role I have been involved in developing the new curriculum for cardiology and EP training as well as navigating our trainees and future colleagues through the challenges that the covid pandemic has put in the way of their training and would like to continue to advocate for trainees as a member of BHRS council. I have close links with the BJCA and continue to contribute to training and development through this role, with a focus on effective skills development in challenging times, combined with fair assessment of trainees.
I have contributed to the excellent piece of work created by BCS Women In Cardiology Council to improve support for cardiologists and trainees during pregnancy, fertility treatment and parental leave with the aim of encouraging more female trainees to consider EP as a career, by dispelling the myths perceived as a barrier to EP as a career choice for female trainees. My continued position on council would allow me to represent Women in EP particularly, as I feel it is crucial that we display diversity and equality within the society, particularly visibility of role models to encourage high quality trainees into the specialty, regardless of gender.
Ross Hunter
I count many physiologists, nurses and other staff groups amongst my friends. A key part of my role would be to continue to expand career opportunities and break current career “glass ceilings” for these groups by promoting:
• Independent/leading research roles, including creation of a customised doctoral degree at QMUL intended primarily (but not only) for physiologists
• Consultant posts particularly for physiologists and arrhythmia nurses
• Sabbaticals or exchanges with industry and centres abroad.
During my last term I was BHRS deputy research lead and also a board member of the BHRS Multi-Centre Trials Group. I will continue promoting multicentre research, trials, and movement of fellows, physiologists and nurses for research fellowships. As BHRS representative to NICOR I contributed to their last reports. I gained valuable experience and hope to do more in this role.
I remain passionate about both EP and devices. I will promote standardisation of practice across the UK and subspecialisation to ensure best outcomes for patients. With enormous waiting lists in some areas post Covid I will help centres share waiting lists and resources where possible to help reduce this burden and the impact on patients.
Paul Foley
I have represented the Council on NHSI groups on atrial fibrillation (lifestyle modification support requested), sudden cardiac death working group, and worked with the RC of pathologists on post-mortems recommendations. I have helped Health Education England with expansion and training of Cardiac Physiologists. I organised the BHRS Covid webinar at the start of the pandemic.
I am keen to represent grass roots cardiologists, physiologists and nursing staff and help continue the close working with our electrophysiology colleagues. I am keen to expand physiological pacing training, and to help our patients get timely, quality treatment. There are exciting developments planned with a BHRS meeting which I would like to help make a big success. Training of SPRs, nursing staff and physiologists is a priority for me.
Amy Dutton
I have 13 years’ experience in tertiary level cardiology at Wythenshawe where I specialise in cardiac rhythm management. During this time, I have been fortunate to be supported to achieve BHRS, IBHRE and EHRA accreditation in both cardiac devices and electrophysiology. I am heavily involved in the delivery of training to the next generation of Cardiac Scientists both lecturing and facilitating on the Healthcare Science degree programs for Manchester Metropolitan University. I have first-hand experience of The Academy of Healthcare Science Equivalence process having become a registered Clinical Scientist in 2021.
I am passionate about advanced practice for Cardiac Physiologists having implemented the Physiologist Led ILR Service at my centre and I was one of the first physiologists in the UK to go through a 3D mapping system independence sign off. I have a keen interest in clinical leadership education opportunities for Cardiac Physiologists.
As part of BHRS Council I would help drive and amplify its support of Cardiac Physiologists in advanced practice within the CRM workforce at a time of increasing clinical service demand and diminished resources. I want to help share best practice and guide strategy to the direct benefit of arrhythmia patients across the UK.
Chloe Howard
I take great pleasure in training students in the department and love to share or discuss interesting case studies. I believe I am at a stage in my career where I can provide a high level of knowledge and understanding of the profession. I also recognise the importance of representation from a non-tertiary centre. I am really keen to gain an insight and experience into the development of national policies and standards published by the BHRS.
My main interest is syncope and I have recently been working to develop a scientist led clinic at York with ED and GP referral pathways. I am a real advocate for progressing the profession and developing more specific scientist lead services like this. I would also like to develop patient decision aids with the BHRS and improve the management of device selection for all patients. I also think it’s important for members to have access to resources which support staff in having difficult conversations regarding device malfunction or ICD deactivation. If elected I would do my best to champion the workforce and improve the service provided by the BHRS.
Phil Durkin
I am passionate about advancing healthcare scientists and being part of the BHRS council would provide a fantastic platform to develop this. I would be grateful of the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience in device implant and follow-up, service development, education and leadership. I am also currently involved in the West Yorkshire Heart Failure pathway development program and am excited about how we can align potential developments with the BHRS and members to provide integrated and robust complex device referral pathways.
Bridgette Smith
I have been in this post for 4 years and have a background in acute cardiology nursing since qualifying in 2007. During my time as an Arrhythmia nurse, I have completed my Investigation and Management of Arrhythmia and Blackout module and Non-Medical Prescribing, both at masters level. I run a nurse led ILR implant and removal service and am working towards my BHRS accreditation, having passed my exam in October 2021. I therefore have a broad depth of experience and knowledge in cardiology.
I am passionate about education and service development, at both a local and national level, and recognise how important an organisation such as the BHRS is in providing on-going, high-quality education and support within the field of CRM. I am committed to the concept of lifelong learning within nursing, and I feel that the BHRS offers the opportunity to provide educational pathways to specialist nurses in a collaborative arena; via platforms such as regular forums and potential standardised competencies. I would vey much appreciate the chance to be part of this team.