Professor Vikram Devaraj

About me:

Current role

Lead for Fitness to Practice (FTP) for professional programmes Faculty of Health & Life Sciences (Medicine, Nursing, Medical Imaging, Clinical & Applied Psychology, Clinical Education & Research).

Key role to support the teams involved with ensuring the professional behaviour of students on regulated undergraduate programs working closely with the General Counsel and Director of Legal and Student cases and the existing Responsible Persons (RP) for FTP for each programme and the Policy Advisor for FTP.

In addition to support and training the RP team, guidance when necessary is provided, progress reports received, reports reviewed on investigations from RPs offering feedback and opinion when needed. This also covers response to expressions of concern and or complaints requiring urgent safeguarding action, advice on the form that action should take and general support for the process.

Deputy Lieutenant (DL) for the County of Devon 2023 - present

Previous roles

• NHS Consultant Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon 1/1/1995 - 1/9/2017 with Honorary NHS contract to 2023. Independent clinical practice since 1/1/1995 – 10/2/2023
• Associate Professor in Medical Education, Clinical lead for Anatomy, University of Exeter Medical School
• Lead for Fitness to Practice BMBS College of Medicine & Health, University of Exeter Medical School 2018-2023
• Lead for FTP Regulated Programmes FHLS Sept 23 - present

Personal moments

• Staff Aureus award for Educational Inspirer from the BMBS students 21/2/2024

• Nominations over several years by University of Exeter students for Teaching Awards including in 2018 and 2021 for Best Lecturer

• Staff Aureus award for the Most Inspiring Teacher (Preclinical) University of Exeter Medical School 2016

• MacLeod Post Graduate Prize November 2015 Presented by Professor Terence Stephenson GMC Chairman and Provost of The University of Exeter, Professor Janice Kay

• National NHS Hero (2013) awarded by Sir David Nicholson presented by Trust Chairman James Brent

Research in progress around FTP

An application is currently being developed via Exeter Worktribe between myself, Prof Paul Lian (Occupational Health physician)and Dr Alice Osborne (Director of Student Support). The study is a partnership between the NHS and University of Exeter to support the translation of research into student support and well-being activities. The collaborative retrospective study proposes to analyse data from the Clinical Practice Review Group (formerly Health & Conduct Committee).

By analysing this data in more detail we aim to answer the RQ ““What are the risk factors that can help identify students who need more support?” by reviewing retrospective anonymised data we already retain. This has not been looked at before and is a vital opportunity to optimize support structures for students by identifying those likely to need it most.

1. We would be fulfilling one of the terms of reference from this group to gather, monitor and collate information for internal quality management processes.
2. We should be able to develop a 'risk matrix' to support those students that require additional support and help at an early stage to facilitate their undergraduate training.
3. We can develop tailored wellbeing and academic support mechanisms and strategies for each group.
4. We can underpin strategy 2030 building on interdisciplinary culture to support human health and wellbeing.

• MB ChB (Leeds) 1982
• FRCS (Eng) 1987
• FRCS (Plast) 1993
• PG Cert Clin Ed (2017)
• PG Dip Clin Ed (2018)
• SFHEA (2018)
• DL (2023)

Previous academic appointments

University of Exeter Medical School

• Clinical lead anatomy discipline group 2013 - 2023
• Responsible Person BMBS 2018-2023
• Specialty lead for Plastic Surgery 2013 - 2017
• Special Study Unit organizer and provider (Wound Healing) 2013 - 2017
• Professional Development Group Tutor (Year 3) 2017 - 2018
• Small Group Facilitator (Year 3) 2013 - 2014
• Academic Tutor (Year 4) 2013 - 2014
• Academic Tutor (Year 2) 2013 - 2016
• Pathway provider Specialist Surgery (Year 5) 2013 - 2017

Peninsula College of Medicine & Dentistry

• Specialty lead for Plastic Surgery 2004 - 2012
• Special Study Unit organizer and provider (Wound Healing) 2004 - 2012
• Small Group Facilitator 2011 - 2012
• Academic Tutor (Year 4) 2011 - 2012
• Pathway provider Specialist Surgery (Year 5) 2008 - 2012
• Hon Senior Clinical Lecturer 2004 - 2012