Job overview
The Neurology Department at University Hospitals Sussex is in an exciting period of development, following the merger of two adjacent hospital Trusts in Sussex, and the relocation of the Neuroscience Department to a new purpose built centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and personable neurology consultant to work across sites and based at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester.
The establishment of University Hospitals Sussex as a new Trust provided the opportunity to better co-ordinate the care of neurology patients and ensure greater equity of provision of services. This is a welcome strategic development in Neurology where the consultant workforce across Sussex already work in collaboration to provide inpatient care.
Main duties of the job
The clinical duties of the post include the following:
1. General neurology outpatient clinics, including admin
2. Option of developing specialist clinic, including admin
3. Neuroradiology meeting
4. Ward liaison work at either Worthing Hospital, or St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester.
5. Management of St Richard’s/ Worthing patients referred to RSCH for PIU or in-patient tertiary investigations & management
6. Participation in departmental clinical governance activities
This work will be supported by appropriate administrative support, office space and IT equipment.
On Call Commitment:
On call 1 in 10. Category B. 1% on call supplement providing telephone on call support to UHSussex.
Working for our organisation
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating.
Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed.
We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
In June 2023 we moved into the new Louisa Martindale Building on the Royal Sussex County Hospital site in Brighton, which co-locates all neuroscience services.
The Neurosciences and Stroke Directorate provides tertiary regional care to approximately 1.8 million population in East and West Sussex, and has links with acute hospitals in Haywards Heath, Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, Worthing and Chichester. The unit provides a full adult Neurological and Neurosurgical service including assessment, advice, elective and emergency admissions.
There are currently 13 neurologists employed by UHSussex and a further visiting consultant. In addition, neurologists employed by East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust work closely with the unit to provide collaborative care across Sussex.
The unit also works closely with University Hospital Southampton having recently appointed to a joint post, based at St Richard’s Hospital.
The Neurology Department provides specialist clinics in Movement Disorders, Cognitive Disorders, Headache, Neuro-ophthalmology, Epilepsy, Neuromuscular Disorders, MND, and support for neuro-oncology Neurosurgical MDTs. It also provides an in-patient liaison service on all hospital sites.
Currently we do not have a neurology consultant with a specialist interest in MS/neuro-inflammation and therefore all general neurologists see MS patients with MS specialist input via MDT from colleagues at St George’s Hospital.
We have excellent specialist nursing support for MS, PD, MND, Headache and Epilepsy services and general neurology patients nursing support. We have a Sussex NEAD clinic run by neuropsychology colleagues within Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust and are currently looking at models to expand the FND service.
The Neurology department has a strong commitment to training with 4 SpRs with NTN posts in Neurology, and IMTs rotating through Neurology. In addition, there are Neurology clinical fellows at both middle grade and SHO level.
The Neurophysiology Unit has three consultant Neurophysiologists and provides a full range of EEGs, EMGs and EPs. An emergency mobile EEG service is available. This service is looking to expand to provide a hub and spoke model across the Trust to include the appointment of a fourth consultant.
Our relationship with Brighton and Sussex Medical School has provided significant opportunities for consultant staff to become involved with undergraduate education and research and we are actively looking at opportunities to develop an academic department.
We also have a number of consultants involved in multi-site clinical trials through our established local Clinical Research Facility.
Please see the job description and person specification attached to the advert for further details of the post.
Person specification
Experience/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
7. •Basic medical degree
8. •MRCP or equivalent qualification
9. •If you trained in the UK, you must also have a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Neurology or be within six months of receiving it by the interview date.
10. •If you trained outside the UK, you must provide evidence that your qualifications are equivalent to the UK CCT. (Equivalence must be confirmed by GMC by date of AAC)
Desirable criteria
11. •Higher Degree
Clinical Skills and Experience
Essential criteria
12. •Experience in General Neurology
13. •Understanding of clinical risk management
Knowledge
Desirable criteria
14. •Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
Organisation and Planning
Essential criteria
15. •Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
16. •Understanding of: NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
Desirable criteria
17. •Evidence of managerial skills: Achievements / Course attended
Teaching Skills
Essential criteria
18. •Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching
Desirable criteria
19. •Recognised teaching qualification
Academic and Research
Essential criteria
20. •Evidence of participation in audit
Desirable criteria
21. •Research experience
22. •Publications
23. •Prizes and honours
Career Progression
Essential criteria
24. •Appropriate progression of career to date
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
25. •Evidence of:- Good communication skills both oral and written
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications