NHS Golden Jubilee’s Interventional Cardiology Team delivers groundbreaking training programme

NHS Golden Jubilee’s Interventional Cardiology team recently concluded a unique 6-month training programme designed to share its expertise in complex heart procedures with international colleagues. 

The programme focuses on advanced techniques in treating patients with blocked heart arteries. 

The training involved hands-on experience in Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) procedures, which are highly specialised interventions that offer new hope to patients limited by angina. 

Many patients have previously had coronary bypass surgery and struggle with a poor quality of life when, after time, their grafts start to fail.

Dr Mikko Minkkinen, a visiting Consultant from Copenhagen, worked alongside the Dr Francis Joshi and Dr Aadil Shaukat, observing and participating in procedures, learning how to apply advanced techniques that are not yet widely used in Denmark.

Dr Minkkinen tells us: “This programme is incredibly meaningful to me. It’s not just about learning new procedures, it’s about transforming how we care for patients back home.  

“The skills I’m gaining here are already making a difference in my practice, and I’m excited to share this knowledge with my colleagues back in Copenhagen.  

“Being immersed in this environment for the past 6 months has been a rare and valuable opportunity.” 

Dr Francis Joshi, Consultant Cardiologist added: “It was a pleasure to support Dr Mikkinen’s development in advanced CTO PCI techniques.  

“His dedication to applying what he learned here back in Copenhagen is exactly the kind of international collaboration we strive for.” 

The programme also benefits NHS Golden Jubilee by strengthening its role as a centre of excellence in interventional cardiology. After running a course for the most complex CTO procedures that the team developed and ran for UK and European doctors earlier in the year, and through this latest initiative, the hospital fosters collaboration, encourages knowledge exchange, and opens doors to future research and development partnerships. 

Dr Mitchell Lindsey, Associate Medical Director added: “This programme was a reflection of our commitment to international collaboration and clinical excellence.  

“Dr Minkkinen’s enthusiasm and dedication made the experience truly rewarding, and we are confident that the knowledge and skills he gained here will have a lasting impact on patient care in Denmark.  

“It’s partnerships like these that help us grow as a centre of innovation and learning.”