As the latest ‘Class of 2024’ graduate from SpaMedica’s Training and Education Programme for Surgeons (STEPS), a brand-new cohort of surgical trainees will take up positions at SpaMedica hospitals nationwide.
Representing the next generation of ophthalmologists, they will benefit from the extensive experience and guidance of ophthalmic surgeon Mfazo Hove, who has performed almost 20,000 cataract procedures in the last three years alone, 99.7% of which were complication-free.
Mr Hove devotes two days per week to overseeing training lists at SpaMedica, a leading provider of NHS cataract surgery, and recently celebrated one year in his teaching role, which has resulted in his trainees completing over 500 cataract cases.
Reflecting on what inspired him to take on the position with SpaMedica, he explains: “I didn’t get to where I am by myself. The people who taught me, the people who inspired me to become an ophthalmologist, were already established consultants, so the best way for me to pay them back was by helping to train the next generation and making sure they are good at what they do.”
Mr Hove knows all too well how important those training opportunities are – as an ST1 surgeon, it was nine months before he was able to complete his very first case. When his supervising consultant went on holiday, he could finally put theory into practice.
“A locum consultant, who had never worked with me before, just turned up and believed in me right from the start. That’s the biggest thing I learned – if you let your trainees know that you believe in them and you want them to succeed, they perform so much better.”
In fact, Mr Hove has so much faith in his trainees that when he needed cataract surgery after using steroid eye drops to treat chronic uveitis, he asked one of his former trainees to step up. “Knowing that somebody I trained could do my cataract surgery meant I went into theatre feeling completely relaxed because he’s a brilliant surgeon – that’s the ultimate satisfaction. It’s why I’m so passionate about training others. It’s the best part of the week, the thing I take most pride in.”
When it comes to training, Mr Hove stresses the importance of a personalised approach. “There’s no ‘one size fits all’,” he says. “Some people need you to be beside them, they find your presence reassuring. For others, standing right next to them makes them nervous, and that will affect their performance. It’s all about working out what your trainee needs and tailoring your approach to suit them.
A core objective is for trainees to understand that patient care isn’t just grounded in surgical outcomes – a good bedside manner is vital too. “It’s my job to make sure that the patient – who might be your mother, or my mother, or somebody else’s family member – gets an excellent outcome when one of my trainees is doing their surgery. It’s important to show the patient that you care, and you want what’s best for them.”
SpaMedica’s training programme aims to exceed The Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ training blueprint, creating an unprecedented number of nationwide placements for NHS registrars. There are currently 25 training sites nationwide, with more locations set to follow.
Congratulating Mr Hove on his inaugural year, Dr Alex Silvester, SpaMedica’s chief medical officer, says: “Mr Hove’s experience at SpaMedica underscores the importance of passionate, dedicated trainers in shaping the future of ophthalmology. Through personalised mentorship, high standards, and a compassionate approach to patient care, they are helping to ensure that the next generation of surgeons are well-prepared to meet the demands of the profession. As SpaMedica continues to lead the way in surgical training, Mr Hove’s work – and his registrars’ success stories – serve as a testament to the profound impact that skilled and empathetic teaching can have on trainees and patients alike.”
For more information about the scheme, visit www.spamedica.co.uk
