Job summary
This is a full-time (1.0 WTE) Consultant Psychiatrist post providing clinical and medical leadership to Ceddesfeld Ward. Ceddesfeld Ward is a 15-bedded assessment and treatment unit for male patients experiencing organic brain disease (the vast majority of which will be dementia-related) and the associated complications of these.
This post had been filled substantively for many years, and has become vacant due to planned retirement. This is therefore a replacement post.
The ward is co-located with Hamsterley Ward (a similar 15-bedded ward for female patients) on the Auckland Park Hospital site which has separate consultant psychiatrist input from Dr Sarah Pearce. Together, the two wards work closely together to provide the hub of organic inpatient care to patients in the Durham & Darlington locality and have a strong reputation regionally for high quality patient care.
Main duties of the job
The Clinical PAs are 7.5 PA across the week and will be based on Ceddesfeld Ward, which has 15 beds. The consultant psychiatrist will provide clinical and medical leadership to the MDT and will lead the assessment and treatment of those patients on the ward. The post holder will be expected to work with a well-established, cohesive and enthusiastic MDT to maintain a high standard of clinical care for our patients.
The ward operates a report out every weekday morning, which is effectively a board round of all patients on the ward. This daily meeting helps the MDT review the progress and risks of every patient over the preceding 24 hours, provides an opportunity for the MDT to discuss treatment plans and allocate any tasks. The consultant psychiatrist is expected to attend this meeting wherever possible. They are required to review any new admissions to the ward to determine the holistic treatment strategy and then continue to review these patients regularly to monitor their progress. They are also expected to attend any relevant patient meetings (. Admission/Discharge Planning Meetings, CPAs, and maintain good relationships with patients families and carers in line with the principles of the Triangle of Care.
About us
We are one of the largest specialist mental health and learning disabilities trusts in the country, with an annual income of £320m and a workforce of some 6,700 staff operating from around 100 sites in Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire and York and Selby. We provide a range inpatient and community services to 2m people living in County Durham, the Tees Valley, Scarborough, Whitby, Ryedale, Harrogate, Hambleton and Richmondshire. We also provide additional specialist services to other parts of Northern England.
We deliver our services by working in partnership with eight local authorities and clinical commissioning groups, a wide range of voluntary organisations, as well as service users, their carers and the public.
Psychiatrists are essential contributors to our mental health teams. Service users expect and are justified to expect collaborative relationships with dedicated psychiatrists who work consistently as part of effective services. The Medical Directorate and Medical Development Team are striving to improve medical workforce recruitment and retention in a variety of ways and the cornerstone of these efforts is The TEWV Charter for the Medical Workforce. (Please see attached Supporting Document).
Details
Date posted
11 September 2025
Pay scheme
Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade
Consultant
Salary
£109,725 to £145,478 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
C9346-MHSOP-214
Job locations
Auckland Park Hospital
Westfield Road
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 6AE
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for further information on this post. Please note, the Job Description has been approved by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Person Specification
Leadership
Essential
1. Reflects on own performance and behaviour, seeking and acting on feedback. Able to influence and persuade to improve services Able to take on leadership role in multidisciplinary team. Knowledge of structure and management of the NHS and the Trust. Shows commitment to quality through knowledge of quality improvement and lean thinking methodology OR able to achieve within one year of appointment Able to adapt to and lead service change.
Desirable
2. Able to take on a leadership role outside the multidisciplinary team. Understanding of NHS & wider health economy and its implications for the work of the Trust. Trained to standard equivalent to level 2 in TEWV Trust Quality improvement system
Academic Skills & Lifelong Learning
Essential
3. Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training Participated in continuous professional development Participated in research or service evaluation. Able to use and appraise clinical evidence. Has actively participated in clinical audit.
Desirable
4. Able to plan and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training relevant to this post Reflected on purpose of CPD undertaken Experienced in clinical research and / or service evaluation. Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications. Has led clinical audits leading to service change
Qualifications
Essential
5. MB BS or equivalent medical qualification.
6. Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
Desirable
7. Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research, or management.
8. MRCPsych postgraduate qualification or CESR (Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration) qualification
9. Additional clinical qualifications.
10. Endorsement in Liaison Psychiatry
Clinical Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential
11. Excellent knowledge in specialty
12. Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge
13. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
14. Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty
15. Makes decisions based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others
16. Able to meet duties under MHA and MCA
Desirable
17. Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service
Eligibility
Essential
18. Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
19. Eligible for inclusion in the Specialist Register in the Specialty or within 6 months of gaining CCT
20. Approved clinician status OR able to achieve within 3 months of appointment
21. Approved under S12 OR able to achieve with 3 months of appointment
22. Included on the GMC Specialist Register.
Desirable
23. In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice.