The NHS consultant interview

Pranav Kukreja
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This podcast is about becoming — and being — an NHS consultant. It explores the consultant interview process in detail: how panels are structured, what different panel members are listening for, and how credibility is judged in real time. Not rehearsed answers, but the thinking behind the questions. Beyond the interview, the series looks at life after appointment — the transition from senior trainee to consultant, the realities of responsibility, leadership, governance, and professional identity. What changes on day one. What surprises people later. And what no one tells you while you’re preparing. Conversations draw on real experience from NHS consultant life: interviews, job planning, trust values, working with managers and non-executives, and navigating the early years after appointment. This podcast is for senior trainees preparing for consultant roles, and for new consultants who want a clearer view of the landscape they’ve just entered.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Successful candidate's advice - NHS consultant interview

    Applying for your first NHS consultant post can feel overwhelming—but what actually makes a difference? In this episode, I speak with newly appointed consultant plastic surgeon Miss Reema Chawla, who shares exactly how she prepared for her consultant interview, what worked, what she would do differently, and the lessons she learnt along the way. We discuss: • When to start preparing • The resources that are genuinely worth reading • Trust documents and the NHS 10-Year Plan • Pre-interview visits • Leadership and management examples • Equality, diversity and inclusion questions • Handling difficult interview questions • Common mistakes candidates make • Rapid-fire consultant interview advice Whether you're an ST6, ST7, ST8, post-CCT fellow or simply planning ahead, this conversation is packed with practical advice from someone who's recently succeeded. Beyond CCT is a podcast helping doctors prepare not only for consultant interviews, but also for the transition into consultant practice through leadership, management and professional development. Subscribe for future episodes covering consultant interviews, NHS leadership, communication, governance and life beyond CCT. 00:00 Introduction 00:45 When should you start preparing? 03:00 Six months before interview 05:00 Best resources to use 08:00 Trust documents and CQC reports 11:00 NHS Ten-Year Plan 16:00 Pre-interview visits 21:00 Inside the consultant interview 34:00 Leadership and management questions 35:00 Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 42:00 Trust values 44:00 "Tell me about a mistake" 50:00 Leadership vs management 52:00 Rapid-fire interview tips 55:00 Why practising out loud matters 57:30  00:45 When should I start preparing for an NHS consultant interview? 04:45 What resources are most useful for consultant interview preparation? 07:25 Which NHS and Trust documents should I read before my interview? 15:55 Are pre-interview visits worth doing? 21:00 What actually happens during an NHS consultant interview? 33:10 How should I structure my interview answers? 35:00 How do I answer Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) questions? 42:05 How can I use Trust values to strengthen my interview answers? 44:40 How should I answer "Tell me about a mistake"? 50:10 What's the difference between leadership and management at consultant interview? 52:10 What are the most important consultant interview tips? 55:20 Why is practising interview answers out loud so important?

  2. Jul 12

    The Ockenden Report Explained | What Every Consultant Should Learn (Anaesthetist's Perspective)

    The Ockenden Report: What Every Future Consultant Should Learn The 2026 Ockenden Review of maternity services at Nottingham University Hospitals runs to nearly 400 pages. But what should an anaesthetic registrar preparing for a consultant interview actually know about it? In this episode, I examine the report through the lens of an anaesthetist and clinical leader. I look at why the review was commissioned, the role of the Harriet Hawkins case, how the investigation was conducted, and what the review found about obstetric anaesthesia, patient experience, escalation, documentation, psychological safety and organisational learning. The anaesthetic findings were more positive than many might expect. Despite reviewing a deliberately high-risk group of cases, nearly 92% of graded anaesthetic and critical care cases were assessed as appropriate or associated with only minor concerns. The report also praised the visibility, accessibility and multidisciplinary contribution of the anaesthetic team. However, the wider report raises difficult questions about how healthcare organisations respond to warning signals. It describes fragmented information, repeated failures to learn, poor escalation, governance structures that existed “in form but not in function”, and a Board that was too often given reassurance rather than assurance. This episode explores six practical lessons for future and current consultants: Early specialist involvement. Approachable senior leadership. Clear documentation of clinical reasoning. Recognition that patient experience is a clinical outcome. Closing the learning loop after incidents. And understanding the difference between reassurance and genuine assurance. This is relevant not only to obstetric anaesthetists, but to any doctor interested in consultant interview preparation, patient safety, human factors, clinical governance and NHS leadership. #Anaesthesia #ConsultantInterview #OckendenReport #PatientSafety #ClinicalGovernance #HumanFactors #ObstetricAnaesthesia #MedicalLeadership #NHS #PsychologicalSafety

  3. Jun 23

    How to Answer Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (DEI) Questions at Consultant Interview

    Helping doctors navigate the transition from trainee to consultant. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (DEI) questions are now common in NHS consultant interviews, yet many candidates struggle to answer them convincingly. In this episode, I discuss a practical framework for approaching these questions using real-world examples rather than generic statements. Topics discussed include: • The Equality Act 2010 and protected characteristics • Why DEI questions are asked at consultant interview • Equality versus equity in patient care • Adapting healthcare systems for patients with additional needs • Unconscious bias and clinical decision making • The landmark thrombolysis study involving Black and White patients • Creating fair and transparent systems • Standardisation, recruitment and reducing bias • Psychological safety and speaking up • Challenging discriminatory behaviour and incivility • Why DEI is ultimately a leadership issue If you're preparing for a consultant interview, this episode will help you develop stronger examples, richer conversation points and more credible answers. Subscribe for more episodes on consultant interviews, leadership, governance, patient safety and the transition from trainee to consultant. #ConsultantInterview #MedicalLeadership #NHSCareers #DoctorCareer #Anaesthesia

  4. Jun 14

    Awkward conversations?

    A colleague experiences a difficult clinical case. The patient is fine, the debrief is constructive, yet something still lingers: the feeling of being judged rather than supported. In this episode, I explore why the conversations we most want to avoid are often the ones we most need to have. We discuss feedback, professional boundaries, psychological safety, and why difficult conversations are not just about changing other people—they're opportunities to develop ourselves. If you've ever replayed an awkward interaction in your head and wondered whether to let it go, this episode is for you.

  5. May 8

    6 NHS consultant interview questions

    The conversation provides 6 interview questions that I recently asked, and the expected responses. It also delves into how to answer questions relating to challenging situations in the workplace, including working outside one's comfort zone, understanding operational pressures, dealing with differences of opinion, navigating toxic work environments, and promoting inclusivity in the workplace. Takeaways Interview Question InsightsHandling Challenging Situations

  6. Mar 29

    The branding as Consultant!

    Sohel describes how he felt soon after becoming consultant, and the differences in perception between being a senior registrar and consultant. This episode discusses the lead-up to preparing your profile as a consultant and life in the initial months after becoming one.

  7. Season 2, Episode 2 Trailer

    Planning your SIAs

    In this extract, Sohel talks about the mindset behind the planning of his SIAs as ST6 and 7. Full episode coming shortly.

  8. Season 2, Episode 1 Trailer

    DGH vs tertiary centre

    In this short clip, Dr Sohel Samad, consultant anaesthetist discusses the eternal question of seeking employment at a DGH vs tertiary centres. Full episode coming shortly.

  9. Mar 12

    Candidate's perspective NHS Consultant interview

    Dr. Ed Rintoul shares his interview experience, discussing his preparation, meeting the panel members, and the interview day. He emphasizes the importance of practicing out loud and managing nerves during the interview process. Takeaways Interview preparationDealing with nerves Chapters 00:00 Preparation and Anticipation06:25 Meeting the Panel Members11:30 Interview Day and Questions

  10. Feb 14

    Inside the NHS Consultant Interview: What Panels Are Really Listening For

    The conversation provides valuable insights into the structure and process of the NHS consultant interview, including the importance of pre-interview meetings, handling tricky questions, and structuring answers effectively. It also emphasizes the significance of integrity, reflection, and preparation for interview questions. Takeaways Structured approach to answering interview questionsImportance of preparation for interview questions

    Inside the NHS Consultant Interview: What Panels Are Really Listening For

  11. Feb 11

    Structure of the consultant interview - Introduction

    This conversation provides an in-depth look at the consultant interview process, detailing the structure, roles involved, and types of questions candidates can expect. Pranav Kukreja shares insights on how to prepare effectively for these interviews, emphasizing the importance of understanding the roles of the college representative and the non-executive directors in the panel. The discussion also highlights the significance of trust values in the interview questions and the overall experience of candidates during the interview process.

Trailers

About

This podcast is about becoming — and being — an NHS consultant. It explores the consultant interview process in detail: how panels are structured, what different panel members are listening for, and how credibility is judged in real time. Not rehearsed answers, but the thinking behind the questions. Beyond the interview, the series looks at life after appointment — the transition from senior trainee to consultant, the realities of responsibility, leadership, governance, and professional identity. What changes on day one. What surprises people later. And what no one tells you while you’re preparing. Conversations draw on real experience from NHS consultant life: interviews, job planning, trust values, working with managers and non-executives, and navigating the early years after appointment. This podcast is for senior trainees preparing for consultant roles, and for new consultants who want a clearer view of the landscape they’ve just entered.

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