The Finishing School for Acute Physicians
AWESAM is a residential finishing school for Acute Medicine doctors within 18 months of CCT. Designed by AIM consultants with a focus on leadership and the non-clinical aspects our work. Having encountered some challenges during our own careers, we wanted to share the practical realities of becoming a consultant, and to support SAM members in building the confidence, skills and professional network you'll rely on throughout your career.
ELIGIBILITY
AIM trainees and portfolio doctors (including CESR) within 18 months of CCT.
Current SAM membership is required.
Attendance on a residential basis for the full duration of the course is mandatory.
Completion of approximately 2–3 hours of pre-course reading is expected.
| AN AWESAM EXPERIENCE…
✅ 100% of previous delegates would recommend the course! ⭐ 100% rated the faculty as excellent or very good 🎓 Designed specifically for Acute Medicine 🤝 National faculty and peer networking 💼 Focused on the non-clinical skills needed as an AIM consultant |
THE AWESAM CURRICULUM
- Preparing for Consultant Practice — job applications, consultant interviews, job planning, salary negotiation, contracts, appraisal and everything you need before your first consultant post.
- Becoming the Consultant — making the transition from registrar to consultant, supervising trainees, difficult conversations, giving feedback and leading the multidisciplinary team.
- Leading Improvement — quality improvement, interpreting performance data, business cases, service development and influencing change.
- Leading the Shop Floor — stepping into the consultant role, decision-making, managing flow and leading the acute medical team.
- Healthcare Leadership & Politics — understanding NHS structure and management, with Q&A sessions from board-level Medical Directors and members of SAM Executive Council.
- Building a Sustainable Career — impostor syndrome, resilience, work-life balance and developing a career that is rewarding.
- Building Your Consultant Network — creating the peer group and professional relationships that will support you throughout your consultant career.
- What We Wish We'd Known — an honest discussion about complaints, coroner/procurator fiscal requests, difficult situations and the realities of consultant practice that no textbook covers.
Faculty
Core Faculty Core faculty was deliberately drawn from across England, Scotland, and Wales to reflect the differing structures and processes between countries, to ensure the programme remained relevant. No faculty representation from Northern Ireland; however, no delegates from Northern Ireland have applied to either iteration of the course to date.
- Beth Griffith – Course Director. Consultant in Acute Medicine (Mid Cheshire); SAM Training & Education Committee Chair; prev New Consultant Representative
- Mike Wheble – Course co-director and local Host. Consultant in Acute Medicine (University Hospitals Dorset); former GIM TPD (Wessex); Clinical Director for Older People’s & Acute Care; SAM Treasurer (to 2025).
- Tom Cozens – Consultant in Acute Medicine (South Wales); Training Programme Director (AIM); former RCP Tutor and Clinical Director
- Lliwen Jones – Consultant in Acute Medicine (University Hospital of Wales); Resident Workforce Lead; Secretary, Welsh Acute Physicians’ Society, previous takeAIM fellow.
- Gordon McKinnon – Consultant in Acute Medicine (Paisley); SAM New Consultant Representative; former SAM Trainee Representative and takeAIM Fellow
Additional visiting faculty will attend to be arranged separately for each course
APPLICATIONS
Applications include a 500-word personal statement outlining:
• Why you are applying to AWESAM
• Your learning and development goals
• What you hope to contribute to the group
Places are limited to 20 participants, to preserve the benefits of small-group learning, ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate, receive personalised feedback, and build meaningful relationships with both faculty and peers.
This does mean that places are competitive, and your application will be assessed based on your supporting statement.
Priority will be given to previous unsuccessful applicants, those with only one AWESAM opportunity remaining before CCT, doctors returning from time out of training, and those requiring a recognised leadership course to complete their training (usually supported by a statement from their TPD).
AWESAM 2026
| What: Residential finishing school for your transition to become an NHS Acute Medicine Consultant
Price: £200* for SAM members - accommodation and all meals included! Who: AIM registrars and portfolio pathway doctors within 18 months of CCT When: 16–19 November 2026 Where: Wedderlie House, Scottish Borders Places: Limited to 20 participants Questions: education@acutemedicine.org.uk |