Mentee Guide

1. What the Scheme is

 

- National pilot mentoring scheme for T&O trainees in higher surgical training (ST3+).

- Time‑limited pilot: 21 July – 21 October 2026.

- Aim: to support your professional and personal development at key stages and transitions in training.

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2. What You Can Expect from a Mentor

 

Your mentor will:

 

- Offer a supportive, non‑judgemental space for thinking and reflection.

- Help you clarify goals, explore options, and plan next steps.

- Share relevant experience (careers, transitions, professional challenges).

- Use questions and reflection rather than simply “telling you what to do”.

- Keep discussions confidential within agreed limits.

 

Your mentor will not:

 

- Act as your clinical supervisor, trainer, or line manager.

- Provide detailed clinical advice on patient management.

- Directly manage your training, performance, or employment issues.

 

 

 3. What Is Expected of You

 

You are expected to:

 

- Take ownership of your development and come prepared to meetings. 

- Bring topics, questions, or situations you want to discuss. 

- Be open and honest about your goals and challenges. 

- Follow up on agreed actions between meetings. 

- Communicate professionally and give as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule.

 

 

 

 4. How It Works (Pilot Structure)

 

- You enrol via the BOTA website and select 3 preferred mentors from their online profiles.

- The Scheme Coordinator (Lisa Hadfield‑Law) makes the matches, and you are e‑introduced.

- You agree a simple Mentor Agreement outlining expectations and confidentiality.

- Each pairing has up to 3 meetings, typically 60–90 minutes each (virtual or in‑person).

- You’ll be asked to provide short feedback to help improve the scheme.

 

 

 5. Confidentiality – and Its Limits

 

- Conversations between you and your mentor are private.

- Your mentor may need to seek advice or share concerns only if:

  - There is a risk of harm to you, patients, or others,

  - There are serious professional or patient safety issues,

  - Disclosure is required by law or regulation.

- Wherever possible, this will be discussed with you first.

 

 

 6. Example Topics

 

You might use mentoring to discuss:

 

- Career planning and subspecialty choices.

- Exams, rotations, changing hospital, or planning a fellowship.

- Balancing work, training, research, and life outside medicine.

- Leadership, teamwork, communication, and professional identity.

- Handling setbacks, feedback, and imposter feelings.

- Building networks and finding opportunities.

 

 

 7. If You Need Help or Have Concerns

 

- For issues with the mentoring relationship (fit, boundaries, difficulties):

  - Contact Lisa Hadfield‑Law, BOTA Pilot Mentoring Scheme Coordinator.

 

- For issues beyond mentoring (e.g. wellbeing, patient safety, bullying/harassment, performance, employment):

  - Speak to your Educational Supervisor, TPD, HR, Occupational Health, GP, or professional support services.