Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
Consultant Psychiatrist - Mortimer Ward & Crisis Home Treatment
The closing date is 26 March 2026
We are looking to recruit a dynamic, motivated consultant to work in the Inpatients/Crisis Team based at the Stonebow Unit, Herefordshire. You will cover approximately 10 patients on the mixed general adult Mortimer Ward and one weekly Crisis Team, and be supported by two junior doctors, an ANP and/or an ST4 trainee. Mortimer Ward opened in November 2024 and provides a modern, therapeutic environment for acute adult patients. You will be delivering ECT alongside other consultants and join one in eleven on-call rota. There is a dedicated office and a secretary. The county of Herefordshire is in the Wye Valley and has the Forest of Dean, the Malvern Hills, and the Brecon Beacons National Park within easy access to provide an excellent work/life balance. Transport links are provided by the M50 which links with M4 and M5 and there are direct train routes to London, Birmingham and Cardiff. The Trust is committed to delivering the best mental health care and supporting the leadership development of its clinicians. The overall sessional pay with on-call commitments will be 11 PA + 1 PA retention + 1% + 3%.
Main duties of the job
Mortimer Ward is a 20‑bedded mixed‑gender ward, admitting on average five patients a week, 60% of whom are detained. The two consultants covering the ward share the caseload; the vacancy is for covering the South of Herefordshire. This post is well‑established and has been filled for many years by long‑term colleagues; it became available due to an early retirement of the previous consultant. There is a weekly local teaching programme and a Trust Grand Rounds monthly. You will be supported in your CPD and the development of a special interest. You will be joining a supportive, cohesive group of consultants who work together to provide services locally.
About us
At Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust we work together to deliver outstanding care. We run community hospitals and community health services across Worcestershire and provide mental health and learning disability services across both Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Our people (all 4500+ of them) provide services for people of all ages, experiencing both physical and/or mental health conditions from over 100 sites. We will support you to thrive; offer flexible working options for a great work‑life balance, help you fulfil your ambitions, and empower you to make positive changes within your team or service. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures and ethnicities.
What we offer:
* 27 days leave plus bank holidays, increasing up to 33 days with long service
* Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay when you work unsocial hours
* Flexible and agile working opportunities
* Great maternity, paternity and adoption support
* Wide range of supportive staff networks
* Health and wellbeing opportunities
If you would like to know more, please visit our website.
We encourage you to read the attached applicant guidance notes.
Sharing your data – As a data controller we may sometimes need to process your data to pursue our legitimate business interests, for example to request a survey from you (optional), to support the Trust’s understanding of where you gained interest in working for the Trust.
Job responsibilities
Alongside another whole‑time consultant colleague you will provide senior medical advice, support, consultancy and clinical leadership to the Herefordshire CAHT Team and Mortimer Ward at the Stonebow Unit. The operational policies for these services are available on request. A notional timetable for the job is shown in the JD but this will be finalised in job planning.
It is expected the consultant will play a major role in the clinical leadership of the services to ensure a high quality of care is provided to Herefordshire service users. As part of this role they would be expected to work in partnership with the team managers and the Acute Inpatient Manager responsible for these services. There will be an expectation to take part in general management issues that will be shared amongst all their consultant colleagues. The consultant will have responsibility for line management of the junior and resident doctors.
There is an ECT service provided twice weekly and approved under the ECTAS scheme run by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The consultant will be expected to administer ECT during one or two sessions every four weeks, as part of a shared rota, and to contribute to the training and supervision of junior medical staff. The successful candidate will be expected to complete the Royal College of Psychiatrists approved training programme for ECT. Dr Monika Baranska is currently the consultant lead for ECT.
The main clinical responsibilities of the post are as follows:
* To provide assessment and management of patients referred to the service from a variety of community and HWHCT sources;
* To act as Responsible Clinician, within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 2007, for patients of the inpatient unit and CAHTT who are subject to the provisions of that Act;
* To undertake MHA assessments as the approved doctor under section 12(2) as required;
* To work with local managers and professional colleagues in the efficient running of services and to provide medical contribution to management;
* To develop and maintain care pathways and pathways of communication with clinicians in other HWHCT services, primary care and other services that interface with the CAHTT and ward;
* To provide and contribute to the development and standards of the ECT service provided at Stonebow Unit;
* To ensure effective patient after‑care plans are developed, implemented and maintained, in particular in respect to care programme and risk assessment policies of the employing organisation;
* To undertake team supervision, contributing to risk management, safeguarding and managing safe prescribing practices;
* To liaise with and give clinical advice to agreed statutory/voluntary agencies, including the criminal justice system and MAPPA where appropriate, and maintain close links with general practitioners and other medical colleagues;
* To participate in and contribute to a regular clinical audit process to ensure services provided are of a high quality and best clinical practice;
* To undergo annual appraisal, develop a personal development plan and remain in good CPD standing with the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and to agree a job plan with the Clinical Director/Associate Medical Director, working towards re‑licensing and revalidation. Any changes to the job planning will be mutually negotiated and agreed.
For full detail of the duties and criteria for the role please refer to the job description and person specification attached.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* MBBS or equivalent medical qualification.
* CCT holder or equivalent (or within six months of becoming eligible for CCT)
* Current full registration with the GMC (or eligible for full registration with the GMC at the time of appointment).
* GMC Licence to practice.
* Approval (or eligible for approval) under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act.
* Eligible to work in the UK.
* Higher degree or other qualification in research methodology.
* Qualification or previous training in leadership.
* Qualification and/or experience in providing training for doctors.
Knowledge
* Knowledge about the NHS and understanding the evidence base underpinning the delivery of high quality services.
* Ability to manage, improve or support the clinical operations of the service.
* Understanding of the importance of excellent team working relationships and ability to put this into practice.
* Knowledge about mental health policy with ability to think strategically and manage change.
* Knowledge of appropriate medical, pharmacological and psychological treatments
* Understanding of current and long‑term issues for the medical profession.
* Knowledge/experience of the governance programme.
Skills & Abilities
* Demonstrable commitment to providing excellent mental health services.
* Commitment to maintenance and development of medical leadership.
* Excellent communication skills, diplomacy and tact. Efficiency in clinical work.
* Ability to work in a multi‑disciplinary fashion with teams and other disciplines.
* Ability to work independently, methodically and safely.
* An interest to participate in ongoing research projects, especially putting research into practice.
* Publish research.
* Ability to work across teams and disciplinary boundaries in a collaborative style.
* Experience and interest in providing training and teaching for a variety of staff groups.
* A track record of innovative practice.
* Be able to demonstrate experience of working with colleagues outside mental health professions.
Experience
* Provision of high quality mental health services, as resident or Consultant.
* Previous experience of working in a clinical leadership role with positive relationships with team members.
* Previous experience of NHS Mental Health Services.
* Previous experience of clinical leadership in Mental Health Teams.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
Depending on experience pro rata for part time
#J-18808-Ljbffr