West Midlands Trainer of the Year 2021

Praised for his support and training, one of Walsall Healthcare’s Obstetrics and Gynaecology Consultants is through to the national round of a competition held by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).

Paul Woollett has been awarded West Midlands Trainer of the Year 2021 and has also been put forward to the RCOG for the national award. The National Trainer Award is an annual competition in which regional trainee chairs are asked to nominate a regional trainer of the year.

Paul’s job as College Tutor entails supporting and facilitating training for junior doctors working within Obstetrics and Gynaecology. He also has a regional role in the COVID recovery regarding gynaecological surgical training.

The 36-year-old had some excellent nominations. Here’s just a flavour:

• “As a trainer, supporter and advocate he was second to none; in all aspects he exceeds the expectations I have for a trainer.”
• “He went above and beyond to support and help us achieve what we needed, during a very difficult time in which most trainees struggled at a national level.”
• “Not only did he care about supporting your training wellbeing, he also cared about physical wellbeing.”
• “Mr Woollett worked in a holistic way to make sure all the trainees and non-training juniors at Walsall Manor Hospital were happy, supported, well trained and progressing.”

Mr Fateh Ghazal, Divisional Director for Women, Children & Clinical Support Services, had nothing but praise for him too and said: “I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Paul to win this award. He goes above and beyond for all his colleagues and trainees and truly cares and is passionate about his role. Anyone who has him as a trainer is very lucky.”

Father-of-two Paul said: “The award should really be awarded to our department, and is a testament to the focus on training within our department despite the challenges of the pandemic.

“We have built a reputation in the West Midlands for providing excellent surgical training and the trainees have also praised the team spirit within obstetrics, particularly among the midwives and team leaders. I am proud and honoured to have won the West Midlands award.

“Training is an integral part of working in healthcare. I particularly enjoy practical sessions such as simulations of obstetric emergencies and developing surgical skills. I get as much out of training in self-development as the trainees do, and it is often a powerful driver of service improvements.

“It’s fantastic to know that I have had a positive impact on the training of our junior doctors. Training them is fun and rewarding in itself, but it’s always nice to get compliments and appreciation of the hard work involved in good training.”