Perinatal Psychiatrist - All Grades

Job Description

An outstanding NHS job opportunity for an enthusiastic and innovative Specialty Doctor in Perinatal Psychiatry to join a dynamic department that is focused in providing high quality, effective and comprehensive service to their patients. This is the perfect time to be joining the department as this new post is created with funding which reflects nationwide investment in perinatal care.

This is a great opportunity for overseas Consultants who want to establish themselves in the NHS, and grow their consultant career. The post is suitable for candidates holding specialisation in the EEA, or for experienced IMGs looking to complete CESR.

WHAT IS THE NHS FOUNDATION TRUST LIKE? 

The NHS Foundation Trust was originally formed in April 2000. Since then, they have been awarded University status in recognition of the extensive research and education undertaken in the Trust, and was authorised to operate as an NHS Foundation Trust. They are now a trust which provides mental health and community health services. ELFT assumed responsibility for delivery of mental health services in Luton & Bedfordshire in 2015. The Trust serves a population of 1,500,000, operates from 80 community and inpatient sites. They employ 5,000 permanent staff and has an annual income of £335m. 

The department is a long-established and highly-regarded service. This NHS Foundation Trust has always been recognised as a centre of excellence for mental & health care. They are rated "Outstanding" overall by the CQC. This is truly an exciting time for you to come and work for them!

The Trust provides a wide range of community and inpatient services to children, young people, adults of working age, older adults and forensic services. The scope of services includes adult services (including services for older people and people with learning disabilities), child and adolescent mental health services, improving access to psychological therapies and rehabilitation and recovery services. These services will deliver an additional £61 million of revenue to the Trust each year. The Trust is committed to making the Trust an excellent place to work and in order to improve quality of life for all they serve.

In January 2022, the NHS Foundation Trust achieved its third consecutive ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC); the first Community and Mental Health Trust to achieve this rating for a third time. In November 2016, the Trust received the Health Service Journal's Provider Trust of the Year Award.

WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT & TEAM LIKE? 

The Perinatal Mental Health Team (PMHT) is a long-established and highly-regarded service, resourced as a comprehensive multi-disciplinary team. The current medical staff comprise a 1.0 WTE and a 0.5 WTE Consultant Psychiatrist. They work alongside an 8a Team Manager, Band 7 Clinical Nurse Specialists, Band 8a and Band 7 psychologists, and part-time Peer Support Workers, Nursery Nurses and Occupational Therapists. The team manages a caseload of around 170 patients, with 10-20 new referrals each week, screened in real-time, with urgent new patients seen on the same day if required. Patients are seen urgently on inpatient psychiatric and obstetric wards as needed, or in A&E.

The team meets for a short, problem-focused daily meeting which emphasises collaborative working and shared decision-making; clear accountability is balanced with a strong emphasis on maintaining a non-hierarchical atmosphere. The service works closely with the Perinatal teams and Mother and Baby Unit.

The post holder will help with the continued development of the perinatal psychiatry team. The post holder will provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis and management of issues relating to perinatal mental health. The post holder is expected to undertake all work in the context of the recovery approach which is emphasised across the Trust, placing the service user at the centre of planning and decision making.

WHAT IS LIFE LIKE IN THE REGION?

In 2013, Bedfordshire had a population of 426,000 (161,400 in Bedford and 264,500 in Central Bedfordshire). While the population in Luton is at 208,000. The town is ethnically diverse; black and minority ethnic (BME) groups represent 40.6% of Luton’s population, with significant Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian and African Caribbean communities.

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO YOU?

The NHS Foundation Trust is accredited as an Investor in People employer and is consequently committed to developing its staff.  You will have access to appropriate development opportunities from the Trust’s training programme as identified within your knowledge and skills appraisal/personal development plan.  The post holder will be expected to participate in training and development activities which support the objectives of the service and which will contribute to his/her own personal development plan and continuing medical education.

ELIGIBILITY FOR THE ROLE: 

Non-EEA: 

• MRCPsych
• Experience in Perinatal Psychiatry

• Specialist certification in psychiatry (desirable)
• Experience in Perinatal Psychiatry

• Experience in Perinatal Psychiatry