Resident Doctors Committee | Association of Anaesthetists

Resident Doctors Committee

Resident Doctors Committee

The Resident Doctors Committee provides a focus for the interests of resident doctor members of the Association and represent resident doctors' views at the Board of Directors and other Association committees.

Through its work, the committee promotes training, the practice of anaesthesia, and communication among resident doctor anaesthetists. It works with the Education Committee and events team to plan the Resident Doctors Conference and contribute to resident anaesthetist specific elements of the Association educational programme.

In addition to their work representing the interests of resident doctors within the Association, committee members also represent Association members through external consultation with other medical organisations.

You can contact the Resident Doctors Committee on [email protected]

Resident Doctors Committee members

 

 
Dr Drew Harding, Chair
I’m Drew, an ST6 equivalent registrar on the North West London Portfolio Pathway (PP) Programme (previously known as CESR), currently out of programme undertaking a research fellowship with the RCoA Centre for Research and Improvement, with my clinical work undertaken at St Georges, London. I have a broad range of interests, and love the variety that comes with being an anaesthetist. If I had to choose, my clinical interests would be advanced airway management, major general surgery and perioperative care. I'm also developing experience in human factors and psychological safety, with the aim of using these principles to improve workplace culture and to ensure all residents feel valued and supported, with the tools to thrive in anaesthetics. Outside of work my time is taken up running after my toddler and changing the nappies of our more recent addition. But if I do have some time, I love to run by the river, cook (preferably outdoors), and follow the ups and downs of Newcastle United.
Portfolio pathway registrar North West London Hospitals Parnership @dwxharding Drew Hardin
Dr Allan Xu, Honorary Secretary
I’m Allan, a Resident Anaesthetist in East London who recently completed ACCS Anaesthetics and am currently on a break from training. I have been based in London my entire life having gone to medical school at UCL and trained in East London since then. I first joined the Association’s Resident Doctors Committee as an elected member (and very junior anaesthetist) in 2022 having been inspired by their education and wellbeing initiatives during a very difficult period for our specialty. I am currently the Resident Network Links Officer and have held numerous other positions including podcast and webinar lead and have previously organised the Association’s annual Resident Doctors Conference in 2025. My professional interests include paediatric anaesthesia, medical education and AI research. Outside of medicine I am a keen swimmer, pianist, baking enthusiast and reluctant Tottenham Hotspur fan.
ST4 London School of Anaesthesia  @allan_xu Allan Xu
Dr Leyla Turkoglu, Vice Chair (maternity leave)
I’m proud to say that I’m the Vice Chair of the Resident Doctors’ Committee at the Association of Anaesthetists. I currently work as an anaesthetics resident in North London. Aside from my clinical work, I am also currently at NHS England in the Patient Safety team as a National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow. My professional interests include paediatric anaesthesia, healthcare ethics and reducing healthcare inequalities. Outside of medicine, I am usually found wrangling my toddler, reading, or drinking coffee.
 ST5 London School of Anaesthesia @leylsturk Dr Layla Turkoglu
Dr Mel Anderson, Vice Chair (maternity leave cover)
I am an ST6 resident anaesthetist working in the East Midlands. Like many anaesthetists, I have come to anaesthesia after a detour through surgical training. My journey has taken me through four deaneries, so I understand personally how tough rotational training really can be, particularly when it separates doctors from their established support networks. These experiences have sparked my keen interest in wellbeing and supporting resident anaesthetists throughout their career. Having experienced my own challenges along the way, I am passionate about reducing barriers to training, widening access and tackling differential attainment. Outside of work, I am mum to a wonderful little boy and we spend lots of time enjoying nature or trying to grow things in the garden.
ST6 East Midlands Deanery   Mel Andreson
Dr Toni Robinson, co-Resident Network Link officer
I’m a CT3 anaesthetics resident in the Cheshire & Mersey region. Alongside my clinical training, I hold a Masters in Medical Education and am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, with a particular interest in simulation-based teaching and supporting others through training. My clinical interests include paediatric anaesthesia, emergency anaesthesia, and resuscitation. Within the Association, I’m excited to help host the Coffee and a Gas podcast and champion trainee wellbeing, inclusivity, and diversity. I’m especially keen to recognise and support those from underrepresented or non-traditional backgrounds, ensuring all trainees feel seen and valued both inside and outside of work. I hope to bring energy, openness, and a collaborative approach to the Resident Doctors Committee, ensuring our perspectives influence future policy, training, and workforce planning.
CT3 Mersey Deanery @tonialexr Toni Robinson
Dr Lucy Whitton, co-Resident Network Link officer
I graduated from the University of Bristol in 2012 and have worked across New Zealand and the UK before focusing on a career in anaesthesia. Alongside my clinical training, I have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education, reflecting my strong interest in teaching and supporting residents in training. My main clinical interests are in obstetric and paediatric anaesthesia. I am currently in the planning stages of a national research project exploring the experiences of anaesthetic residents around pregnancy, miscarriage and fertility, with the aim of shaping future policy and improving support for those navigating these challenges. Having trained less than full-time following three periods of maternity leave, I bring personal experience of the realities and benefits of flexible training. I am a strong advocate for inclusion, wellbeing and resident representation, and was elected to the Association of Anaesthetists Resident Doctors Committee in 2025.
ST4 (from August 2026) West Yorkshire Deanery (from August 2026)   Lucy Whitton
Dr Brandon Tan Zhiming
My name is Brandon Tan, I'm currently a fourth year anaesthesiology resident in Ireland. I have been on the Resident Doctor's Committee for the past 2 years and have been serving as the Irish trainee representative on the Committee. I am originally from Singapore and completed medical school as well as my internship in Ireland, before later starting on the SAT scheme here. With the UK and Irish health and training systems being very different, I continue to highlight issues facing resident anaesthesiologists in Ireland ensuring the Association is representing its members working in Ireland. Outside of work I enjoy playing water polo and the guitar as well as photography. In the upcoming year, I hope to focus on increasing the awareness of the benefits of being an Association member as well as improving Association membership take-up rates and event attendance for anaesthesiology residents in Ireland.
ST5 (from July 2026) Ireland  @brandontanzm

Brandon Tan

Dr Andreas Sotiriou
I am a resident doctor (ST7) in anaesthesia, currently based in South East London. My principal clinical interests lie in regional anaesthesia, anaesthesia for head and neck surgery, and anaesthesia for complex major surgical procedures. Outside of medicine, I am a keen sports enthusiast and an ardent supporter of Arsenal FC. I enjoy playing both football and tennis and maintaining an active lifestyle. I am committed to supporting aspiring anaesthetists at the earliest stages of their careers and ensuring they are well-prepared for specialty training. My focus is on developing initiatives and resources that enhance both the clinical and non-clinical skills of all resident doctors in anaesthesia, fostering professional growth, confidence, and excellence within the specialty.
 ST7 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Foundation Trust    Andreas Sotiriou
Dr Joanna Wong
I’m Joanna Wong, an ST6 on the North Central London deanery, currently based at the Royal Free Hospital. Throughout my training, I’ve worked across many hospitals in North Central and North East London, which has given me a broad perspective on the challenges faced by both residents and the wider anaesthetic workforce. My clinical interests include airway management, regional anaesthesia, and hepatopancreatobiliary surgery. Alongside these, I bring a health equity perspective to my work, supported by a Masters in Public Health that I completed during training. I believe that improving care for patients of all backgrounds goes hand-in-hand with ensuring equity within our workforce, and that representation and accessibility are key. I stood for the Resident Doctors Committee because I feel that trainees are facing significant challenges, ranging from morale and job security to the quality of training. I want to play a role in addressing these issues, with a particular focus on wellbeing, accessibility, and fairness.
ST6 North Central London School of Anaesthesia @joannaesthesia Joanna Wong
Dr Ellen Barton ST5 Forth Valley Royal Hospital   Ellen Barton
Dr Regina Graham ST4 Moorfields Eye Hospital    
Dr Rosie Hughes CT3 Bristol Royal Infirmary   Rosie Hughes
Dr Alexandra Kendall-Smith ST6 Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital   Alexandra Kendall-Smith
Dr Peter Sykes ST7 Bristol Royal Infirmary    Peter Sykes

 

Co-opted members

   
Dr James Brooks Immediate Past Resident Doctors Committee Chair @jamesbrooks90
Dr Elena Walker Co-opted member (until September 2027)  
Dr Jamie Thompson British Medical Association Junior Doctor Committee  
Major Amy Johnstone Defence Anaesthesia representative  
Dr Elaine Yip RCoA representative (until July 2026)  
Dr Gillian Rennie SAS Committee representative @DocGRennie