Student support for top doctor at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals

Dr Juan Ballesteros (left) consultant emergency medicine and Alisdair Strachan, director of education at the Trust

The Medical School at the University of Sheffield awarded Juan Ballesteros, consultant in emergency medicine at Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals, the Clinical Teaching Award.

The nomination came after students at the medical school were asked to nominate individuals who provided high quality teaching in a clinical setting and inspired and supported them through their learning.

The medical students who nominated him were completing an acute care placement at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Dr Ballesteros usually has a cohort of four students at a time who spend a month with him as part of his clinical team.

He was selected for the same award back in 2013 and his students also nominated him in 2012, but this time around he was lucky enough to recognised as one of the best.

He said: “I’m pleased that the students seem to enjoy their time at Doncaster and get a lot out of it. Hopefully they will want to come back and work for the Trust once they are qualified. It would be a pleasure to work alongside them again.”

Dr Ballesteros was recognised in his nomination for his ability to make his students feel part of the clinical team and for being an excellent role model. He creates an environment in which students feel empowered to engage with clinical medicine and he further added: “It’s fundamental that we spend time with medical students and support them in a clinical environment. This is vital for them to develop and work confidently as junior doctors.”

The Trust, which Dr Ballesteros serves, provides a wide range of health services to a population of around 420,000 at three hospitals (Bassetlaw Hospital in Worksop, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, and Montagu Hospital, Mexborough) and community locations including Retford Hospital and Chequer Road Clinic.