FICM Board Election 2025 - Cast your vote!

WIJAYATILAKE, Dhuleep Sanjay – BHRUT NHS Trust
Nominated by Dr Musrat Hussain and Dr Shibaji Saha

What experience do you have in local, regional and national committees, projects and initiatives?  

28-year medical career with substantial committee experience:

• Clinical Lead NICU - directed strategic initiatives, coordinated regional networks, implemented evidence-based protocols and business planned consultant expansion.
• FICM Professional Standards Committee (since 2025) - contributing to national intensive care standards and guidelines
• Trust Job Plan Lead - ITU job  planning expert, addressing workforce sustainability challenges in financially sustainable manner.
• IT Committee - supporting EPR rollout, project management experience of digital transformation in healthcare.
• Director, London ITU Limited - negotiated contract with Circle Health for provision ITU services, experienced in strategic healthcare leadership and negotiation.
• International Fellowship - Toronto Western Hospital chair trainee committee.
   

What would you aim to do if elected to the Board?

Leadership & Culture

• Strengthen psychological safety and tackle bullying in the NHS, inspired by insights from "The Culture Code" and "Extreme Ownership." Leaders must model respectful, accountable behaviour and foster environments where everyone feels valued.
• Embed transparency and shared purpose using Sinek's "Start With Why," clarifying FICM's mission and normalising honest dialogue through senior staff openly sharing learnings from mistakes.
   

Al & Digital Innovation

• Champion responsible Al adoption in ICU. Building on FICM's Al work, I will establish a dedicated Al group focused on ethics, regulatory compliance, and member training. This ensures our specialty remains innovative yet safe, with robust guidelines for evaluating and implementing Al that genuinely benefits patients
   

Financial Innovation & Sustainability

• Promote financial sustainability through diversified income, modern investment strategies such as outlined in the "Bitcoin standard" to reduce impact of inflation, and optimised budgeting protecting FICM's future.
   

Strategic Project Management

• Embrace agile project management and an "Infinite Game" outlook to lead FICM through post RCOA independence. My focus will be on workforce trust, adaptability, and building long-term resilience.

These approaches combine proven leadership models with practical strategies learned during my MBA to ensure FICM's continued excellence and relevance.
 

THOMAS, Elizabeth – Manchester Royal Infirmary
Nominated by Dr Daniele Bryden and Dr Jack Parry-Jones 

This candidate is standing for re-election

What experience do you have in local, regional and national committees, projects and initiatives?  

It has been a huge privilege to be an elected FICM board member for the last 4 years and I am seeking re-election for a second term.

National committees/roles:

• Chair of Women in ICM – 2020 to 2023
• FICM elected board member – 2021 to present
• Section editor for GPICS 3 – 2024 to present.
• Co-founder of Thrive - FICM mentoring project for new consultants – commenced 2021
• FICM committee - Careers, Workforce and Recruitment committee member – 2020 to present
• National medical lead for ICM ST3 recruitment – 2023 – present. In this role I have overseen 2 successful interview processes and this year dual appointments to two specialties at the same time has been implemented. 

Regional

• Greater Manchester Critical Care Network Medical lead – 2022 - present
• I have represented FICM at AoMRC, BMA and other colleges’ events.

I am devoted to enhancing equality – I took part in FICM reverse mentoring - my work with WICM and Thrive showcase this.

I am an Intensive Care consultant at Manchester Royal Infirmary – a 44 bedded tertiary unit – appointed 2023. Prior to this I worked as a consultant at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust for 10 years. I have CCTs in both ICM and anaesthesia. I was Clinical Director for ICM at Stockport for 4 years through the covid pandemic.

I live near Manchester with my husband and two children. I have strong links with ICM consultants locally and in all 4 devolved nations in the UK from my roles.

What would you aim to do if elected to the Board?

If re-elected I would use my enthusiasm, positivity, “can-do” attitude and prior experiences to ensure intensive care medicine continues to grow and develops across all of the UK, to provide the safest working environment for staff and the best outcomes for patients. I am accessible and will continue to promote grass roots ideas and opinions at a national level.

AKHTAR, Waqas – Guy’s & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust
Nominated by Dr Marlies Ostermann and Dr Maryam Khosravi

What experience do you have in local, regional and national committees, projects and initiatives?  

I currently work as a consultant across general and cardiothoracic intensive care, following 14 years of postgraduate training in Intensive Care Medicine, Cardiology, and General Internal Medicine.

I bring extensive experience in healthcare leadership and was highly commended as Clinical Leader of the Year at the HSJ Awards in 22/24. Some of my experience is listed here:

• Council of Academy of Medical Royal Colleges as elected chair of the Academy Resident Doctors Committee
• Board of the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine as elected chair of the Intensivist in Training Committee
• Board of the Centre of Perioperative Care
• Member of UK Medical & Dental Recruitment & Selection Programme Board
• Member of UK Conference of Postgraduate Medical Deans
• TROD in NHS Blood & Transplant London

An important achievement was the successful negotiation of the 2024 Improving the Working Lives of Doctors in Training package. Announced by the NHS England CEO and Secretary of State, this included the implementation of regional lead employers and tackled long-standing issues with rotational training. 
 

What would you aim to do if elected to the Board?

I strongly believe that with a unified professional voice and the formation of our new college we can place UK Intensive Care Medicine at the forefront of global excellence.

To achieve this, we must strengthen advocacy for both ourselves and our patients, deliver greater financial value to members, streamline efforts alongside the RCoA and ICS, and help shape a clear & positive vision for the future.

Our specialty rose to the challenge of the pandemic, yet it remains astonishing that intensive care was not mentioned even once in either the 331-page Darzi Review or the 171-page NHS 10-year Plan. This omission highlights the urgent need for effective leadership to safeguard critical care capacity and the workforce that sustains it.

I am committed to ensuring FICM meets this moment with clarity, ambition, and determination.

HUGHES, Paul Richard – The Roberts Jones & Agnes Hunt NHS Foundation Trust and Mid-Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Nominated by Dr Jonathan Broad and and Dr Sam Clark

What experience do you have in local, regional and national committees, projects and initiatives?

My critical care journey as a Consultant includes teaching hospitals, large district general hospitals, and small or remote units. My career has encompassed academic appointments and a range of leadership roles, from Lead Clinician to Executive Medical Director I served as an officer in the Royal Air Force. 

Relevant experience includes Chair of the Trainees Committee of the Intensive Care Society, member of BMA Armed Forces Committee and the BMA Medical Managers Sub-Committee, Regional Lead for the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management, Clinical Leaders in Anaesthesia Network Executive and the Smaller and Specialist Units Advisory Group.

What would you aim to do if elected to the Board?

If elected to the Board, I would dedicate myself fully to advancing the Faculty’s work as it evolves into a College. As a clinician working within a small and remote critical care unit, I am committed to addressing the unique challenges faced in these settings. I would actively seek solutions by supporting the development of flexible, network-based models for critical care, such as the implementation of hub-and-spoke systems and the adoption of clinician-centric technology, including telemedicine for both decision-making and education. I would champion the adaptation of standards to better reflect the realities of small and rural units. I believe there are significant opportunities for training within these units, which can foster greater autonomy, leadership abilities, and cross-hospital peer interaction.

Recruitment and retention challenges are common to all units. I believe the General Intensivist role needs to be supported and developed ensuring it appeals to both employing organisations and prospective clinicians. As a ‘mature’ intensivist, I would encourage the College to explore innovative ways to retain seasoned specialists within the critical care workforce.

Finally, I would aim to use my leadership experience to support clinical leaders in critical care to develop management and leadership skills.

SHARMAN, Andrew – Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust
Nominated by Dr Sarah Clarke and Dr Matthew Williams

What experience do you have in local, regional and national committees, projects and initiatives? 

From Educational Supervisor to lead Regional Advisor, with time spent as, Faculty Tutor and Training Programme Director, I continue to be heavily involved in training, national recruitment and examinations for the Faculty-FFICM and the RCP-MRCP PACES exams. As a full time clinical ICM consultant, I am aware of the issues facing training and remain determined to find solutions.

As elected Lead Regional Advisor, I am co-opted to Board, and have experience working at Board level, ensuring national ICM training is collaborative, successful, and fit for the future. I continue to publish guidance documents to support trainers and residents. I encourage genuine two-way communication between the Faculty and regional training representatives. I lead national Quality Assurance projects, critically, designing and interpreting the national trainers’ and residents’ surveys, using these to define the challenges and find practical solutions to strengthen ICM training.

I was instrumental in dramatically increasing training numbers in my region and I have extended this drive nationally through biannual workforce data collection, knowing how important this issue is to all but especially small and remote units. The collected data is presented to Faculty and used to ensure ICM is prioritised for training post allocation where it is needed most.

What would you aim to do if elected to the Board?

In preparing to become an independent College, we have an opportunity to establish UK Intensive Care Medicine as a respected and dynamic speciality, able to deliver a consultant-led, multidisciplinary team, rooted in evidence and committed to excellent patient care. I currently represent the views of over 220 Faculty Tutors and 26 Regional Advisors, ensuring that your voices are heard at the highest level. I know how to get things done. I bring a pragmatic, realistic and collaborative approach to shaping change. I ask for your vote, to continue my work for the future College of Intensive Care Medicine.

HANDY, Jonathan – The Royal Marsden Hospital
Nominated by Dr Pascale Gruber and Dr Kate Tatham

In my 21 years as an ICM consultant, I have been extensively involved in research, publishing, editing and clinical management, but I have always been a ‘jobbing’ intensivist. Patient care and the wellbeing of my colleagues are at the centre of who I am professionally, but I feel I also have energy and experience to offer in helping guide our specialty moving forwards.

ICM has been in a state of evolution for many years in the UK, but there are significant external pressures currently at play, not least the wider national financial challenges. If I am fortunate enough to be elected to the Board, my aim would be to support the Faculty/College in navigating these changes and challenges while maintaining its relevance to, and representation of, our patients, colleagues and the wider specialty.

What experience do you have in local, regional and national committees, projects and initiatives?

• Editor: Oh’s Intensive Care Manual - 9th Edition (2025 - in press)

• Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the Intensive Care Society 2013 - 2018 (co-opted onto ICS Council)

• Editor: Oh’s Intensive Care Manual - 8th Edition 

• Editor: Oxford Desk Reference - Critical Care 2nd Edition

• Member of ICS working party on Standards of Critical Care Transfers 2017

• Member of AAGBI working party on Standards of Monitoring 2014

• Clinical Lead for transfers: for North West London Critical Care Network 2007 – December 2016 

• HSJ award winner – July 2017

• HSJ Patient Safety award Finalist 2013

• Course development for North West London Transfer Training Course 2005-2016

• Editor of Anaesthesia Journal 2009-2013

• Past-chairman and member of ethics committee

What would you aim to do if elected to the Board?

• Support Faculty/College relevance to, and representation of, patients and ICM professionals

• Support Faculty/College sub-committees, guideline development and working parties

• Represent the Faculty/College in good standing at other meetings

• Offer advise on future direction of the College based on my local, regional and national experience

DOYLE, James – Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth
Nominated by Dr Brijesh Patel and Dr Richard Clinton

What experience do you have in local, regional and national committees, projects and initiatives?

My journey into ICM has been shaped by a diverse and international background. Growing up in Yemen and the UAE, studying medicine in the UK, and completing specialist training in Australia has given me a deep appreciation of different healthcare systems and cultures. This perspective continues to inform my practice and leadership – I remain sensitive to the importance of inclusivity, collaboration, and adaptability in our specialty.

Since qualifying in 2003, I have focused on developing as an Intensivist and an expert in extracorporeal life support (ECLS). I currently work at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust in a large general ICU with tertiary upper GI and ENT services, alongside ongoing practice in a cardiothoracic intensive care with all ECLS therapies. I mentor a nationally commissioned VV-ECMO centre, supporting teams as they develop advanced services and sharing my experience as a senior retrieval specialist.

I am passionate about education, digital innovation, and consultant mentoring. As Regional Advisor for Wessex and Chair of the Specialist Training Committee, I am working with colleagues on a vision for a School of ICM. This will provide a stronger, more sustainable framework for training, while ensuring equity of opportunity for future intensivists.

What would you aim to do if elected to the Board?

If elected to the FICM Board, my priorities would be:

1. Championing workforce sustainability – including the aspiration to develop a pathway for reciprocal recognition of ICM qualifications between the UK and Australia, supporting recruitment, retention, and wellbeing across the multidisciplinary team.
2. Strengthening education and training – embedding digital CPD, mentoring opportunities, and robust regional structures to support the next generation of intensivists.
3. Driving service innovation – ensuring ICM remains central to NHS transformation, with ECLS and advanced therapies integrated into future models of care.

I believe my experience, multicultural background, and ambassadorial approach equip me to represent our specialty with energy, inclusivity, and vision.

KEATING, Liza – Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Nominated by Dr Sarah Clarke and Dr Stuart McKechnie

What experience do you have in local, regional and national committees, projects and initiatives? 

I am a full-time consultant in ICM and Emergency Medicine at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, a large DGH. My career objective has been to improve standards in training and education, alongside advancing research across the acute care pathway to improve clinical outcomes.

My key roles include:

• Member of the FICM Training Assessment and Quality Committee (FICMTAQ), and currently sit on the Intercollegiate Committee for Acute Common Care Stem (ACCS) Training (2017 ongoing)
• Differential Attainment lead for FICMTAQ (2024 ongoing)
• Represented the Faculty at the national level on several key initiatives: GMC Fairer Training Culture, NHS Strategic Review on Paediatric Critical Care and Specialist Surgery, Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine Specialty Advisory Committee, and contributed to the NCEPOD report on the Transition to Adult Care
• Coordination of an annual regional workshop for ICM recruitment (since 2013)
• Previously member of the FICM Curriculum Working Party and contributed to the ICM curriculum rewrite in line with the GMC Shape of Training framework
• ICM Tutor and Training Programme Director (2016–2022)
• Examine for FFICM & RCEM
• Decision Editor at the Emergency Medicine Journal (EMJ) since 2023
• RCEM Associate Professor (2018-2022) with research interests ranging from acute pain management, patient experience to imaging studies
• Professor of Emergency Medicine, University of Reading (2025).
   

What would you aim to do if elected to the Board?

With your vote, I will continue to use my enthusiasm and experience to support FICM as it navigates towards becoming the College of Intensive Care Medicine. Through the delivery of consultant-led care, the aim is keep patients and families at the centre of all we do and to promote a safe and supportive environment for all staff. It is essential to value, strengthen and celebrate our diverse multidisciplinary team workforce and through collaboration build a sustainable future for intensive care as we work towards becoming an independent medical speciality. 

WEBB, Stephen – Royal Papworth Hospital
Nominated by Prof Shondipon Laha and Dr Paul Dean

What experience do you have in local, regional and national committees, projects and
initiatives?

As a full-time Consultant in ICM, it has been a privilege to be able to contribute to UK ICM in
addition to my ‘day job’, leading at a local, regional and national level.

Intensive Care Society:

• I served the ICS as a Council Member for 11 years contributing in roles including Co-Chair of the Joint ICS & FICM Standards Committee, Honorary Secretary, President and Specia Advisor
• As President from 2020 to 2022 I delivered:
  • Strong leadership for the Society and the wider ICU community during and after the COVID pandemic
  • Publication of national policy statements, establishment the first All-Party Parliamentary Group for Intensive Care and set-up of the National Post-Intensive Care Rehabilitation
    Collaborative
  • Formation of the Society’s Professional Advisory Groups (including ACCPs and
    Pharmacists), Legal & Ethical Advisory Group, Environmental Sustainability Group and EDI Group; development of the LeaP leadership development programme and the Thrive at Work wellbeing & resilience programme
  • Expansion of UK ICM research and digitalisation of the Journal of the Intensive Care
    Society
  • Release of multiple national guidelines and publication of GPICS v2.1
  • Rapid growth in the Society’s educational programme and FUSIC programme

Critical Care Leadership Forum:

• As Chair of the UK CCLF from 2022 to 2025, I oversaw the publication of the CCLF’s public statements on NHS England’s Long-Term Workforce Plan and Module 3 of the UK COVID Inquiry.

What would you aim to do if elected to the Board?
If elected to the Board I will prioritise:

• Progress - listening to and engaging with FICM members to shape the future of UK ICM as the new independent college is established
• People - driving forward the training, education and professional development of doctors, ACCPs and pharmacists
• Patients - improving the quality of care through the development of standards and guidelines
  in ICM
• Policy - championing the importance of the specialty of ICM at a national level by
  influencing policymakers across all 4 UK nations

CHAUDRY, Irfan – Royal Preston Hospital
Nominated by Prof Shondipon Laha and Dr Shashikumar Chandrashekaraiah

What experience do you have in local, regional and national committees, projects and initiatives? 

I am a consultant in ICM and Anaesthesia at Lancashire teaching hospitals (since 2007). I have served 6 years in total on the FICM professional Affairs and Standards Committee with experience in shaping documents and policies relevant to our speciality including the QI quality compendium, GPICS (3) and NELA. I have experience in working in wider NHS roles including the NorthWest Clinical senate, GIRFT and the Department of health. I have a real passion for supporting our residents and AHP’s as the future of our speciality. My main interests within the speciality are patient safety and Quality leading on developing the QI section of the website and linking in with other royal colleges. The college is entering an exciting transition when as a speciality we will be able to stand independently and shape our own future.

What would you aim to do if elected to the Board?

Ensure the highest standards and governance. To continue improvements across the board protecting our future workforce. To ensure that the opportunities presented to us as a single college are utilised to their full extent and not wasted and where relevant working with other Royal Colleges. Specifically, I would like to develop further the QI aspects across the different committees including training, workforce and professional standards. I would also ensure that the speciality takes full advantage of healthcare innovation.

GUPTA, Abhinav – Croydon University Hospital, London
Nominated by Dr Ravishankar Jakkala Saibaba and Dr Guy Bower

What experience do you have in local, regional and national committees, projects and initiatives?

With over 24 years of clinical experience — including 9 years in Cardiac Anaesthesia and 15 years in Intensive Care Medicine across diverse healthcare systems — I have maintained sustained involvement in local, regional, and national initiatives aimed at advancing ICM practice and education.

Locally, I have led the development of structured ICU Follow-Up Clinics and implemented an innovative Virtual Ward referral system, recently presented at a national ICM conference. As FICM Tutor, I have integrated ICM into undergraduate curricula, structuring of teaching incorporating simulation-based education and ultrasound training including Cardiac, Neuro and Thoracic.

Regionally, in my role as Training Programme Director for ICM Simulation (London), I am leading efforts to standardise simulation training across all stages of training, aligned with curricular objectives and interdisciplinary engagement.

Nationally, I serve on the Intensive Care Society’s Core Sustainability Committee, contributing to the joint UK–ANZICS Sustainability Toolkit. I also participate in ARCP panels, deliver national mock exam support for FICM trainees, and serve as instructor on international courses (FCCS, BASIC, ACLS, ATLS).

My academic contributions include journal publications, book chapters, and editorial work on two critical care textbooks.

What would you aim to do if elected to the Board?

If elected to the FICM Board, I will champion high-quality, equitable education, with a focus on simulation, ultrasound training, and accessible blended learning. I will promote inclusive opportunities for all doctors, including those in smaller units, SAS, IMGs, and returners. I will continue advocating for environmentally sustainable ICU practices through my work on the ICS Sustainability Committee. Finally, I will support initiatives that improve workforce wellbeing, psychological safety, and career development. I bring collaborative leadership, international perspective, and a strong commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking future for Intensive Care Medicine.

Overall principle

• Board members who cannot keep to the roles and responsibilities below will be asked to stand down.

Board functions: Meetings, emails, papers, due process

• Board members must attend all meetings of the Board.  Absence should be for exceptional circumstances and discussed with the Dean and Board Secretary.
• Board members must read papers to be able to engage in discussion at Board meetings.
• Board members must engage with Board email discussion, including replying to consultation requests and urgent policy decisions.  
• Board members must be prepared to submit written reports from meetings they attend on the Board’s behalf if they are not able to give an oral report at a Board meeting.
• Board members must adhere to Board level decisions once taken.
• Board members should try to attend the FICM annual meeting.
• Board members tasked with writing papers for the Board should try to provide these at least two weeks before the date of the meeting where it is due to be discussed to ensure other members have the opportunity to read them.

Capacity and conflicts of interest

• Board members must be prepared to take on additional duties beyond Board meetings, which may include Committee / Working Party membership, representing the FICM on an external group or leading on a piece of work or consultation.  Support will be actively given by the Faculty when trying to negotiate time away with Health Boards and Trusts.
• Board members must list all actual or potential conflicts of interest and be prepared to relinquish any hats where there is direct conflict or to not take part in discussions where there may be a conflict.
• Board members should try to limit their non-hospital / non-job plan responsibilities outside the FICM so they have the capacity to take forward FICM work.
• Board members should try to consult with the Dean before committing to work with external agencies in a personal capacity on matters that may be relevant to the Faculty.

Board members as ambassadors 

• Board members must act as ambassadors to promote the good standing of the Faculty and the specialty of ICM.
• Board members must take decisions with the following priority drivers: for the patient, for the profession, for their organisations, and only then for themselves.
• Board members must be prepared to accept roles offered if they are able to fulfil the role requirements, regardless of their personal interest.  A Board position is not to enable personal self-interest but for the greater good of the specialty and our patients.