Professor Iain Beardsell
Clinical practice & education
Continuing clinical practice.
I have worked as a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at University Hospital Southampton since May 2008. I continue to undertake two clinical shifts each week, including out-of-hours and weekends.
My work combines direct patient care with senior clinical oversight of the Emergency Department. I lead resuscitation and trauma teams, supervise and mentor colleagues, and help coordinate care when priorities compete and decisions must be made with incomplete information.
I previously served as Clinical Lead for the Emergency Department (2016–2018) and as a Consultant in Prehospital Emergency Medicine with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (2013–2024).
Teaching and educational leadership.
Alongside clinical practice, I teach medical students and help develop the curricula, clinical placements and supervision that support their learning.
I am Honorary Professor of Medical Education at the University of Southampton and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).
As Associate Clinical Sub-Dean at University Hospital Southampton, I oversee the quality and safety of undergraduate clinical placements, supporting students and the clinicians who teach and supervise them.
As Deputy Module Lead for Acute Care, I work to bring the curriculum, teaching, assessment and feedback together. I also supervise students in the Emergency Department and support them as a Personal Academic Tutor.
As Clinical Director of the MSc Medical Technology, Innovation and Design at the University of Southampton, I provide clinical leadership for the programme as a whole. My responsibilities include overseeing the design, governance and delivery of its four-week clinical placement at UHS and supporting students throughout their clinical learning.
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.
Revision Pursuit is a group revision game on St Emlyn’s for UK clinical medical students. It pairs digital question cards with a physical board, bringing discussion and friendly competition to revision. Explore Revision Pursuit
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.