Job summary
This is a replacement post which has become vacant as the previous Consultant Psychiatrist has retired.
The post is a 10 PA post that is split between inpatient rehabilitation units across North and South Durham localities. The rehabilitation services serving the North & South Durham localities operate primarily from the in-patient units at Primrose Lodge (Chester-le-Street and is 14 bedded) and Willow Ward, West Park Hospital (Darlington and is 15 bedded).
The main acute in-patient beds for North Durham are at Lanchester Road Hospital, Durham and the main acute in-patient beds for South Durham are at West Park Hospital, Darlington. There are two wards admitting patients with acute mental health problems at the Lanchester Road Hospital and currently three wards admitting patients with acute mental health problems at West Park Hospital.
Main duties of the job
The principal duties of the post are to provide an active, recovery focused, rehabilitation service to patients within the North and South Durham localities of the Adult Mental Health Directorate. The focus of work is primarily in- patient based with a minimal amount of community-based work.
Severe and enduring mental illness can have profound effects on the lives of individuals. An energetic rehabilitation service is an integral component of a recovery focused modern adult mental health service. The post holder will lead this service.
Primrose Lodge, Chester-le-Street will provide the focus of the rehabilitation service. Willow Ward, West Park Hospital, offers a high dependency high support for those patients whose problems are more challenging and are likely to be longer lasting.
The postholder will be expected to work closely with colleagues in Adult Mental Health to offer a flexible service which recognises the potential for recovery within all service users. The postholder will need to have strong skills in multidisciplinary working and be prepared to provide clinical leadership within the service.
The postholder will need to be prepared to work with other agencies further developing supported living schemes and employment services and with providers of more specialist services. The latter will involve developing links with commissioners.
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
30 April 2025
Pay scheme
Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade
Consultant
Salary
£105,504 to £139,882 a year
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
C9346-25-0603
Job locations
West Park Hospital
Edward Pease Way
Darlington
County Durham
DL2 2TS
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description for further information on this post. 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 or equivalent postgraduate qualification.
9. Approved Clinician Status and Section 12 Status OR be able to achieve within 3 months.
Clinical Knowledge & Skills
Essential
10. Excellent knowledge in specialty Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge Excellent oral and written communication skills in English Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty Makes decisions based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others Able to meet duties under MHA and MCA
Desirable
11. Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service
Experience
Essential
12. Describe your clinical experience relevant to this job role
Desirable
13. Any other experience that may be applicable