Detailed job description and main responsibilities Bedfordshire Hospitals Foundation Trust is an anchor organisation in the BLMK Integrated Care System. The Bedfordshire Care Alliance (BCA) is a collaborative of health and care providers working across the county of Bedfordshire to reduce inequalities and drive up improvements in population health outcomes. The BCA and BLMK ICB have both identified palliative and end of life care as a priority area. There is a recognition across system partners that we need to improve how we coordinate our services and also how we work together to avoid crisis hospital admissions. The BCA working group is developing a new model of care with our hospice collaborative and community partner organisations to support development of a coordination service and virtual ward as well as an unscheduled care hub to support calls before hospital conveyance. This post holder will be key to shaping further developments and building a team of medical expertise to work across acute, community and hospice services. We recognise that consultant posts require variety and a balance of work both specialist/ subspecialty interest. We are therefore keen that any new post holder develops their interest and contributes to patient care across different settings. The trust aims to design and implement services, policies and measures that meet the diverse needs of our service, population and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a disadvantage over others. Further Responsibilities • To take part in research and education and looking at new ways to teach End of Life Care. • Cover for colleagues' annual leave and other authorised absences • Any responsibility, which relates to a special interest • Participating in medical audit, the Trust's Clinical Governance processes and in CPD • Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels • The post holder must at all times carry out his/her duties with due regard to the Trust's Equal Opportunities Policy • It is the responsibility of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors and staff. • It is the responsibility of the post-holder to ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest possible standard, and in accordance with current quality initiatives within the area of work • All staff who have access to or transfer data are responsible for that data and must respect confidentiality and comply with the requirement of the Data Protection Act 1998, in line with the Trust's policies. • The post-holder is responsible for data quality and complying with the policies, procedures and accountability arrangements throughout the Trust for maintaining accuracy and probity in the recording of the Trust's activities. • (Staff is required to comply with the requirements of the Freedom of Information of Act 2000 in line with Trust Policy. • Any other duties, which may be required from time to time. Closing Date: 28/05/2026 Assessment Date: 03/07/2026 TBC Interview Date: 17/07/2026 Person specification Qualifications Essential criteria Medical Degree MRCP Desirable criteria MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research Registration Essential criteria Full GMC Registration (GMC Licence to Practice is mandatory before employment commences) Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register: • CCT (or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview) • CESR - portfolio pathway (must be on Specialist Register at time of applying) Clinical Experience Essential criteria Excellent all round experience of DGH work Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Palliative care Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision. Clinical Effectiveness Essential criteria Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD Experience of guideline appraisal Participation in relevant local audits Ability to interpret and apply clinical research Desirable criteria Participation in relevant national audits Teaching Essential criteria Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students Desirable criteria Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course Personal Skills Essential criteria Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills Leadership Skills Clinical Governance Essential criteria Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance. Personal Circumstances Essential criteria Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies. Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance Satisfactory DBS clearance It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Employer certification / accreditation badges