ISKSAA LANCASHIRE UK TRAVELLING FELLOWSHIP 2022
DR NISHANT GOYAL

At the outset I would like to convey my regards to Dr P S Bajaj Sir , Dr Lalit Maini Sir and Dr Sanjeev Anand Sir for giving me this opportunity of East Lancashire Fellowship 2023. I would also like to convey my sincere thanks to the mentor Mr Makaram Srinivasan. I would also like to acknowledge Mr Mohan Rajan, Mr Sarin and Mr Ravi (Consultants NHS) for their continuous guidance and support during the fellowship program. My fellowship colleague Dr KP Jaidev happened to be a great friend, always full with ideas and an excellent explorer.

I flew to Manchester airport from Mumbai on 13 may 2023 and then travelled by train via Preston to Blackburn where we stayed for next couple of weeks. Weather was so comfortable and I was mesmerized by the countryside beauty of Lancashire. It’s an amazing town where every third person is either Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi. I was staying on Bridge Street, just aside of Blackburn Station, which I booked for 800 Pounds, and everything was at just few minutes’ walk. Connectivity by local transport was never an issue.

We started our fellowship on Monday morning with introduction to faculty, morning fracture meet followed by entry into Operation Theaters. Mr Sirinvasan (Mr Mak as everybody calls him) was kind enough to make us scrub and even make me assist in one of the cases. He is a thorough gentleman, a man of few words and an excellent teacher. I was astonished to see his skills in trauma, arthroscopy (Shoulder) and arthroplasty (Total as well as RSA).

Royal Blackburn hospital is essentially a trauma hospital whereas Burnley General Hospital takes care of most of the elective load and we used to alternate between the two via a free Bus shuttle. Mr Mohan was the fastest arthroplasty surgeon I ever met and Mr Sirin was too good in keeping the environment at lighter mode always. They both taught us certain tricks of UCK, Total Knee as well as Total hip arthroplasty. We had an excellent exposure of Foot and ankle surgery with Mr Ravi also. Mr choudhary (clinical director and arthroplasty surgeon), Mr Hadi, Mr Mohil (Hand surgeon) and Mr Kevin were all in sink to make our fellowship fruitful.

By the evening Mr Mak and or Mr Mohan would generally drive us back. We had long discussions about professional matters and both were kind enough to guide us further in our career with plethora of experience.

Lancashire is a beautiful town and we could visit the beautiful lake district (Oxenholme, Windermere). We even had a chance to visit RCS Edinburagh.

I spent last four days exploring London and Manchester city. Finally, I flew back to India from London Airport with fond memories of one of the best places I ever visited.

Regards
DR NISHANT GOYAL