Following their recent evaluation of the national scheme Professor Mark Exworthy and Iain Snelling have evaluated the Wessex Chief Registrar programme in 2018.
This was part of the Royal College of Physicians initiative where posts are able to devote 40% of their time to leadership activities. The Wessex scheme expanded the role beyond physicians to include other specialties such as surgery and anaesthetics, and the 9 Chief Registrars developed related initiatives focused on improving junior doctors welfare and engagement. The scheme demonstrated an effective model for medical leadership by senior trainees but our evaluation also highlighted the need for Chief Registrars to be supported more effectively in the ‘middle’ of organisations where most managerial and administrative actions are taken.