Meet the doctor who is paving the way on improved policies

This month, we were fortunate enough to sit down with Dr. Mike Kemp, an ST7 Neurology trainee and a major influence on the introduction of improved policies for the benefit of all trainees.

Here, he tells us about how the birth of his daughter, encouraged his involvement in driving significant changes in the shared parental leave policy as well as what he’s gained from his time as deputy chair for both the Local Networking Committee (LNC) and British Medical Association (BMA).  

After graduating in 2013, Mike was originally employed by the then Pennine Acute Trust Lead Employer, and began his core training in the north west. By 2018, following Lead Employer’s merger into the north west hub, Mike joined the LNC and was elected as deputy chair. He became chair of the LNC in the 2021. 

Mike explains: “The LNC represents the issues and concerns of trainees, which is a productive space to help us avoid any issues that may arise, particularly around any upcoming policy changes. Different doctors in training have very different needs and circumstances, so we must consider policies from all angles and help to manage any forthcoming change.”

Following the birth of his daughter prematurely in 2019, Mike along with his wife were among the first to apply for enhanced shared parental leave after it was negotiated in 2018. This meant Mike was able to spend more time at home sharing the responsibility of caring for his newborn baby. Following this experience, the committee set out to ensure that the enhanced shared parental leave policy was put into the trainee contract, so all could benefit from equal parental leave in the future.

Mike added: “Following this change, we were then able to merge the maternity policy with the shared parental leave policy in 2021 to provide an equal option, improving access and utilisation while ensuring policies continue to become more accessible.”

In the same year, Mike was elected Deputy Co-chair of the BMA’s Junior Doctors Committee and used this opportunity to bring forward the improvement work on excess mileage and relocation expenses policies achieved in the north west to a national level.

Mike explains: “We noticed quite quickly that different locations in the north west, at the time under different Lead Employers, were working from different expenses policies. Keen to unify these policies, we spent a long time trying to finesse this and bring the policies together, evening out and levelling up!”

“We then shared the negotiated policies with Health Education England to encourage a national roll-out. Due to the size of our Lead Employer, when we made good progress, it gave us the ability to instil good practice for doctors in training across the country, allowing for equal eligibility and access for all trainees.”

Coming towards the end of his training journey and as he steps down from his LNC post, Mike understands the challenges faced by doctors in training and how best to communicate the support they will need.

Mike said: “I find the best way to speak directly to trainees is through platforms they are likely already using such as social media. Language is key, and approaching with a less corporate focus will resonate better with trainees.”

Ending an insightful conversation, Mike hopes to see a piece of work that focuses on the support Lead Employer offers international medical trainees, explaining that there are “more international doctors in need of visa processing than there has been before. For international recruits, this is not just a job, it is a new life, accommodation, phone, and car, and it would be good to hear directly from them what they need from their employer, what is helpful and how best to receive this information.”  

Thank you for your time Mike and your support and collaborative work with Lead Employer!