HCSA is delighted to announce the election of a new leadership team at our 2021 AGM.
Our new President-elect is Dr Naru Narayanan who will take over from current President Dr Claudia Paoloni, in Spring 2022.
Many members will already know Dr Narayanan, who has been a member of HCSA Council for more than 10 years, a member of the Executive Committee for nine years and has been involved in a a lot of HCSA activity, including recruitment, policy, equality issues and DDRB submissions.
Dr Narayanan is Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Torbay Hospital and is currently the Trust's Associate Medical Director.
Prior to taking up his Consultant position, he was an Obstetrics and Gynaecology trainee in London. During this period, he was overseas trainees’ representative at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), ensuring that the interests of overseas trainees were looked after.
He said: "I am delighted to have been elected to the role of President-elect of the Association. I am grateful to the executive, council members and the wider membership for their trust in me taking up this important position. I would like to focus my attention on increasing our membership base, working towards eliminating gender pay gap, ensuring protection for our members from discrimination amongst others.
"Dr Claudia Paoloni has undertaken the Presidential role with exceptional vigour. I look forward to maintaining this energy, ensuring our presence at the negotiating table, working to eliminate the gender pay gap and providing improved protection of all our members in their workplaces."
Dr Bernhard Heidemann was elected as Chairman of the Executive and will begin his post with immediate effect.
Dr Heidemann has been a Consultant Anaesthetist at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for the past 18 years. His sub-specialty interests are in anaesthesia for thoracic surgery, head and neck cancer surgery and obstetric anaesthesia. He has been a clinical and educational supervisor and takes an active interest in helping trainees to pass their fellowship exams.
He joined HCSA in 2003, has been a member of Council for Scotland for 15 years and a member of the Executive for more than 10 years. He recently completed his second term as the chair of the Finance Sub-Committee and Honorary Treasurer.
Dr Heidemann said: "I would like to thank Members, Council and Executive for showing their trust in me and electing me as the Chairman of the Executive. I am looking forward to taking up the position after handing over the role of Chairman of the Finance Subcommittee and receiving a handover from my predecessor Dr Cindy Horst.
"With the recent publicity about racism and the GMC, equality will be a large focus of the Executive’s work. There is no doubt that increasing our membership will strengthen our voice and I would appeal to all members to try to do their best and encourage colleagues to join HCSA."
Dr Patrick McGowan, a current HCSA member, was elected as HCSA Treasurer. His current roles include Chairman of the Blood Transfusion Committee, a Hospital Local Negotiating Committee member and an Examiner at the Fellowship of Interventional Pain Practice Diploma.