Professor Iain Beardsell
About & education.
Continuing clinical practice.
I’ve worked as an NHS consultant at UHS since May 2008. I continue to work two clinical shifts each week, including out-of-hours and weekends.
Alongside individual patient care, I provide senior clinical oversight across the emergency department. I lead resuscitation and trauma teams, supervise colleagues and mentor less experienced consultants. This means balancing competing priorities, coordinating a team and making decisions when time and information are limited.
My previous roles include Clinical Lead for the Emergency Department from August 2016 to August 2018, and Consultant in Prehospital Emergency Medicine with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance from October 2013 to May 2024.
Teaching and supporting learning.
I became Honorary Professor of Medical Education at the University of Southampton on 1 August 2026. I was awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in May 2026.
As Associate Clinical Sub-Dean at UHS since May 2023, I oversee undergraduate placement quality and safety. I work with placement leads, Clinical Teaching Fellows and university colleagues on induction, supervision and support for students and educators.
As Deputy Module Lead for Acute Care since October 2020, I help connect the curriculum, teaching, assessment and feedback. I also supervise students in the emergency department and support them as a Personal Academic Tutor.
As Clinical Director for the MSc Medical Technology, Innovation and Design, I oversee the design, governance and preparation for delivery of the four-week UHS clinical placement. My role also includes ongoing supervision beyond the placement.
Three examples from my education work.
A clearer Acute Care curriculum
To make expectations, teaching and assessment fit together, I led the Acute Care curriculum redesign aligned to the Medical Licensing Assessment. We brought revised learning outcomes and linked resources into a structured Blackboard environment. The module team received Southampton’s VLE Award for Best Structure in 2022, with subsequent finalist recognition.
Making lecture feedback useful
To make feedback easier to give and review, I designed and implemented a digital lecture-feedback system accessed through QR codes. The structured feedback is reviewed to identify strengths and recurring problems and inform teaching changes.
An early view of clinical work
I implemented and continue to coordinate a four-hour emergency department observation opportunity for first-year BM5 medical students, including direct supervision. It gives students an early, supervised opportunity to observe clinical work. I also facilitate later student placements in the department, including supervised learning of procedural skills.
Learning through writing and conversation.
St Emlyn’s
I’m a senior editor and podcast host at St Emlyn’s. I commission and review educational content, interview contributors, and produce and edit podcasts. Listening closely and asking the next useful question are central to that work.
Visit St Emlyn’sMedPod Learn
I created MedPod Learn to bring medical podcasts together with learning summaries, questions and reflection tools. It operates independently of university teaching provision.
Selected writing.
Commentary · The BMJ · August 2026
Medical education cannot depend on goodwill aloneMy letter on the support and accountability needed for medical education.
Commentary and conversations
Explore my St Emlyn’s archiveEducational articles, commentary and podcasts.
Television medical advising.
Alongside my clinical and educational work, I have worked as a medical adviser for television drama, including more than 80 episodes of Casualty.