Surgeon scoops best exam scores in the country

Mr Sam Rajaratnam, a senior registrar currently based at Eastbourne DGH, received the Walter Mercer Gold Medal for a set of three exams which are sat by specialist trainees at the end of their training '“ before they become consultants.

He achieved the best marks over the three exams '“ the best performance in Great Britain out of around 450 candidates.

The last South East trainee to receive the gold medal occurred in 1997 - having also received training at Hastings.

Conquest's Mr John Shepperd and Mr Barry Hinves direct the training programme for trainee consultants for the South East Thames Region.

Mr Rajaratnam said, "This really is a testimony to the training of Mr Shepperd and Mr Hinves. They have basically developed the training together over the past ten years and given considerable amounts of their own money, time and energy to the training.

"The gold medal is really a reflection of all their hard work and for that I would like to thank them."

Winning the medal also means that Mr Rajaratnam becomes the overseas ambassador for the British Orthopaedic Association for 12 months '“ leading him to Hong Kong where he will present a lecture in November.

Mr Rajaratnam will now spend a year in Sydney before taking up his first consultancy post where he hopes to specialise in lower limb and knee surgery.

John Shepperd, Orthopaedic Consultant, said, "We are extremely proud of him and all he has achieved during his time at East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust. We would like to wish Sam all the best for his year in Sydney and he will once more be a great asset to the South East upon his return."