Acute Medicine Consultant

Job Description

Step into an exciting NHS job opportunity to become an integral part of the NHS Acute Medicine team at this Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. With the Hospital boasting 570 beds and the sister Hospital offering community beds, the trust is a cornerstone of healthcare in the region. The bustling Acute & Emergency Department caters to over 310,000 individuals annually, providing round-the-clock care to 85,000 new patients. Their facilities span a wide range of specialties, ensuring comprehensive medical services, and their recent 'Good' rating from the CQC underscores their commitment to excellence in care. Join them in shaping the future of healthcare.

This NHS vacancy is ideal for overseas Consultants, Specialist Grades, or Specialty Doctors seeking to establish themselves in the NHS. Suitable for EEA specialists or experienced IMGs aiming for CESR completion.

What is the NHS Trust like?

The NHS Foundation Trust epitomizes compassion and innovation, dedicated to ensuring optimal patient outcomes and fostering a supportive environment for our staff. Their vision extends to excellence in patient care, community service, and staff satisfaction, making them a premier destination for healthcare, employment, and education. Their hospitals serve a combined population of over 330,000 residents, strategically positioned to meet the evolving healthcare needs of their communities.

One of the NHS Trust's main site serves as the epicenter of their emergency and critical care services, alongside women's and children's health, including maternity care. Their other hospital, on the other hand, specializes in elective procedures and houses an Urgent Treatment Centre, complemented by shared services across both sites and community hubs within their catchment area. Having garnered a 'good' rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with notable 'outstanding' attributes, they are on a trajectory toward university hospital status, having achieved teaching hospital status in 2019.

Their diverse workforce, representing over 50 nationalities and comprising nearly 5,000 individuals across both sites, underscores their commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Recognized as a trailblazer in these areas, they strive to maintain an equitable and inclusive environment for all staff, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.

The Acute Medicine Department and Team

The Acute Medical Unit (AMU) serves as the primary gateway for all medical admissions, with exceptions for those requiring direct admission to specialized units such as ITU, HDU, CCU, or Stroke Unit. Recently reorganized, AMU comprises an Assessment area, an ambulatory area, and short-stay beds with a maximum duration of 48 hours. The unit is staffed by three consultants, who provide flexible coverage throughout the day, gradually reducing to two consultants in the afternoon and one in the evening. A goal is to ensure all patients, barring overnight admissions, are seen by a consultant within 4 hours of arrival, with a further consultant review within 12 hours of admission.

The Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit, inaugurated in July 2022, aligns with national guidelines, facilitating the swift evaluation and management of patients within a single day. The unit, jointly serving surgical and medical specialties, promotes collaborative care. Plans within the initial year involve optimizing patient throughput. Consultants allocate one day per week to the unit, which also offers rapid access Acute Medicine clinics to support early discharge from the Acute Medicine department.

In terms of consultant medical on-call responsibilities, the medical team admits an average of 50 to 75 patients over a 24-hour period. Consultants conduct reviews of medical admissions in the afternoon of their on-call day, commencing with a post-take ward round around 1:30 pm. The following morning, acute physicians review admissions to AMU from the previous evening and overnight, with the on-call consultant attending the 9 am handover and completing reviews of any remaining admissions on outlying wards.

Life in the Cheshire

The area offers a blend of urban convenience and nearby rural escapes, catering to varied lifestyles for doctors. Residents enjoy scenic walks along the rivery or exploring historic landmarks. The area boasts a range of quality schools and accessibility to nearby universities such as the University of Chester. Excellent transportation links via train and bus networks connect the area to neighboring major cities like Liverpool and Manchester, as well as to airports such as Manchester Airport. Housing options range from modern apartments to traditional suburban homes, accommodating diverse preferences.

Career Development & Opportunities Available

The NHS Foundation Trust provides a myriad of career development and advancement opportunities for Acute Medicine consultants. Firstly, consultants can benefit from ongoing professional development programs tailored to their specific needs, including access to training courses, workshops, and conferences to enhance clinical skills and knowledge. Additionally, the Trust fosters a culture of innovation and research, encouraging consultants to engage in academic activities, publish papers, and contribute to advancements in the field of Acute Medicine.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR THIS ROLE?

EEA Candidates:

• Experience of working in Acute Medicine
• Board Certified Specialist in Acute Medicine

Non-EEA Candidates:

• MRCP
• Experience of working in Acute Medicine

UK based applicants

• Experience of working in Acute Medicine
• Within 6 - 12 months of completing CCT