Equality, Diversity & Inclusion - Meet the group

Mrs Clare Inkster

Associate Dean, PGME

1) What does your role entail?

I oversee postgraduate education for psychiatry in association with the Head of School, as well as supporting several Trusts. My portfolio is Values and Behaviours. We have a number of work streams related to this, of which equality, diversity and inclusion is an important part.   

2) Tell us a bit about you (incl. why you are involved in this group)?

I've always been interested in inclusion, before I even knew what it meant. This may have from bullying I experienced as a teenager. So it has always made me anxious to see someone being "left out" for any reason. Becoming involved in EDI, first with my Trust, and now in an education role, has led to exciting opportunities to work to remove barriers to inclusion wherever they arise. Supporting our diverse trainee workforce and ensuring they feel valued will ultimately lead to better patient care for all sectors of society in the North West and beyond.

3) What is a surprising fact about you? (Optional) 

I can count to ten in about 15 languages. This was something I learned as a child. "Hello" or "Thank you" might have been easier and more useful...                                                                                             

Dr Mumtaz Patel

Associate Dean, Hospital & Community

1) What does your role entail? 

As Postgraduate Associate Dean, I have patch dean responsibilities for Bolton, Preston and Wigan and I have a role in the quality management of the education and training provided at these trusts. My school responsibilities include Intensive Care Medicine and Pathology and I oversee the quality of the training programmes within these schools. My portfolio responsibilities include research and scholarship which I really enjoy.

2) Tell us a bit about you (incl. why you are involved in this group)? 

I am very interested in being involved in this group as I feel this is an important area to focus upon and I am passionate about providing a safe and educationally productive environment for all of our trainee doctors regardless of their background or personal circumstances. Having experienced a few biases in the past as an asian muslim female who now works less than full time, I am even more committed to ensure that all trainees are treated fairly, with dignity and respect and are supported.    

Mrs Kirstie Simpson-Millar

Programme Support Manager, Education Development                      

1) What does your role entail? 

I am involved in the organisation of educational activities for existing medical educators and for trainee doctors who wish to have educational role after completing their training.                                            

2) Tell us a bit about you (incl. why you are involved in this group)? 

For the last 6 years I have worked in roles relating to the education of clinical staff in the NHS. Through these roles I have witnessed potential to improve EDI practices and feel that by participating in this group I can ensure that staff are well supported to be able to do their job to the best of their ability.