Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a substantive 10 PA Consultant Histopathologist to replace a retiring colleague.
The post requires an established or developing interest in gynaecological pathology. Additional expertise in breast pathology is highly desirable due to the volume and clinical importance of this work. Experience in non‑gynaecological cytology is advantageous, but training can be provided. Interest in Dermatopathology or other specialties will also be considered.
The gynaecological pathology service at Cheltenham General Hospital supports secondary and tertiary cancer services for a population of 1.4 million across Herefordshire, Powys and Worcestershire, and 652,000 locally. The department contributes to cervical screening histology and provides an ovarian frozen section service, offering real‑time intraoperative diagnostic support and strong MDT engagement.
The successful applicant will join a supportive, UKAS‑accredited Cellular Pathology Department with full digital pathology (implemented 2025) and home‑reporting capability. On‑site presence is required for key clinical services, including cut‑up and ovarian frozen sections. Cheltenham offers excellent quality of life, strong schools and good transport links.
The successful candidate will:
Provide high quality diagnostic reporting, with a core contribution to gynaecological pathology and/or breast pathology, supporting both local and regional cancer services.
Participate in cervical screening histology reporting.
Contribute to the ovarian frozen section service.
Contribute to non-gynaecological cytology if possible, with opportunities for further development where required.
Support additional subspecialty areas aligned with experience and departmental need, including dermatopathology, urological, lung, GI or head & neck pathology.
Participate in cut up, supported by experienced dissection practitioners.
Attend and contribute to MDT meetings, including regional and tertiary gynaecological cancer MDTs as appropriate.
Take part in the departmental longstanding second signing process for quality assurance.
Use the digital pathology service.
Contribute to service development, audit and clinical governance in line with Trust policies.
Less than full time and flexible working arrangements will be considered.
The appointees will be managerially responsible to the Clinical Head(s) of Department of the Gloucestershire Histopathology Department and to the Specialty Director, the Director of Service, the Medical Director and the Trust Board.
We provide acute services from Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital to a population of 652,475 in Gloucestershire, as well as patients from surrounding counties.
Our workforce of almost 8,000 delivers high‑quality, patient‑centred emergency, elective and specialist care. We are committed to recruiting talented people who share our vision of delivering Best Care for Everyone, supported by staff who are leaders in healthcare, teaching and research.
Cheltenham, the gateway to the Cotswolds, is regularly rated among the best places to live in the UK, offering excellent state and independent schools, green spaces and strong transport links.
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the largest provider within the SWAG Cancer Alliance, delivering specialist care across a wide range of services. The Cellular Pathology Department, based at Cheltenham General Hospital, supports local and regional specialties including tertiary gynaecological oncology.
The department has a strong subspecialist culture, fully implemented digital pathology, and an expanding Molecular Pathology Service, supporting modern diagnostics and flexible working.
Clinical duties:
Subspecialty reporting with emphasis on gynaecological pathology and/or breast pathology, including work supporting regional cancer services.
Cervical screening histology reporting.
Participation in the ovarian frozen section service, which provides essential intraoperative diagnostic guidance during gynaecological cancer surgery.
Contribution to non-gynaecological cytology, with training and development available.
MDT preparation and attendance.
Participation in second signing and intra departmental consultation.
Training, teaching and departmental culture:
The department has an active and supportive training culture:
Consultants are expected to support postgraduate histopathology trainees.
Regular undergraduate teaching is delivered, with medical students attending structured half day sessions.
The department offers taster sessions for resident doctors considering a career in histopathology.
To participate in EQA schemes and proficiency testing relevant to your areas of practice
Formal Educational Supervisor roles are allocated separately, but all consultants are expected to contribute to the educational environment.
Laboratory and departmental responsibilities:
Participation in the cut-up rota with expert dissection practitioner support.
Full engagement with digital pathology workflows, including remote reporting.
Contribution to audit, service improvement, clinical governance and teaching.
Qualifications:
Full GMC registration with licence to practise.
CCT (or within 6 months of award at interview) or CESR equivalence.
Commitment to delivering a high quality cellular pathology service.