Overview
Job Title: Consultant anaesthetist. This role primarily involves work within adult general theatres and being on the adult general on-call rota, with the ability to flex to cover work within paediatric theatres. The job plan initially contains no fixed paediatric sessions, but this may change over time by mutual agreement.
We are the largest hospital in the Southwest Peninsula, providing secondary care to approximately 500,000 patients and tertiary care to a further 1.5 million. We are a major trauma centre offering broad surgical coverage including cardiac, neurosurgery, thoracics and paediatrics. The department holds ACSA Accreditation since 2015 and emphasizes clinical excellence, translational research and strong trainee feedback. We support flexible working and a healthy work-life balance, with an active social programme and a dedicated anaesthetic coffee room, the Back Bar.
We are located on the Devon/Cornwall border with access to city amenities, moors and sea. Plymouth was voted the top city to live in England in 2023.
Responsibilities
* Deliver high-quality anaesthesia across all main surgical specialties.
* Engage in teaching, continuing medical education and quality improvement activities.
* Participate in the general on-call rota covering general surgery, obstetrics, major trauma, IR and neurosurgery; separate on-call rotas exist for paediatrics, ICU and cardiac services.
* Support flexible working and engage with undergraduate and postgraduate education; contribute to service development and clinical governance.
* Typical job plans start with 1.5 generic SPA; on-call requirements include 1st and 2nd on-call arrangements with specified response times.
* Weekend elective, emergency and trauma anaesthetic cover may be required; appropriate programmed activities to be agreed.
On-call and rota details
We run a 1st on-call rota backed up by a 2nd on-call consultant for anaesthesia (not cardiac, ICU or paediatrics). When on 1st call, you must be within 30 minutes of the hospital; 2nd on-call response is within 45 minutes. There are resident trainees in obstetrics, the emergency theatre, ICU and cardiac ICU. Regular evening trauma lists and coverage for emergency stroke thrombectomy are included, with weekend emergency and trauma lists and elective waiting list initiatives.
We welcome discussions about the rota, job elements and other queries, and encourage visits to the department, hospital and area in advance of interviews.
Essential qualifications
* CCT/CESR in anaesthesia (or expected within 6 months)
* Full GMC registration with license to practice
* Broad, current clinical experience of adult anaesthesia
* Advanced module or SIA in Paediatric anaesthesia
* Level 2 child protection
Desirable qualifications
* SIA in airway
* Evidence of compassionate patient care
* Meaningful research or quality improvement projects
* Additional postgraduate qualifications (e.g., BSc, MSc, PhD)
* Evidence of positive patient and colleague feedback
* Experience of managing complex cases
* Evidence of service improvement, research, medical education or leadership
Details
* Date posted: 17 February 2026
* Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
* Grade: Consultant
* Salary: £109,725 to £145,478 per annum
* Contract: Permanent
* Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
* Reference number: 216-G1-ANA7519813
* Job locations: Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH
Employer
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust — Derriford Hospital, Derriford Road, Plymouth, PL6 8DH
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