Overview
Willowbrook Hospice is seeking a Specialty Grade Doctor to join our medical team. This post will commence on or after 7th November 2025. The post is for 2 sessions per week (Tuesday) with additional on-call weeknights and weekends with an indicative frequency of 1:6. This may vary between 1:4-1:8 depending upon rota requirements. This role is to support a Consultant led service that was rated Outstanding by CQC in 2020. Willowbrook Hospice is CQC registered for 10 beds and provides Specialist Palliative Care via an Inpatient Unit, Outpatient Service (including daily hot clinic) and Outreach Service offering a variety of therapies and bereavement support.
We have a strong and supportive multidisciplinary team in the Inpatient Unit and work closely with the team of doctors and Clinical Nurse Specialists in the Community. This role is primarily to support the Inpatient Unit, with potential opportunities to see patients in the community and conduct outpatient reviews.
The Hospice trains undergraduate medical students and nurses and has Specialist Registrars and GP Registrars on attachment. The post holder will contribute to teaching, training, audit, and research projects. The successful candidate should have 4 years postgraduate experience, 2 of which should be in palliative care or a related specialty e.g. General Practice. Visits to the Hospice are encouraged.
Main duties of the job
Work as a valuable member of the multi-professional team providing medical services to patients across all clinical service areas. The role is primarily for the inpatient unit, but all doctors work flexibly and may be required to assess or review patients in the community, outpatient clinics or Outreach Service under the supervision of a senior doctor. To provide clinical leadership within the multi-disciplinary team under the supervision of the consultant. To ensure senior medical staff are kept closely informed to ensure continuity of care and good communication. To participate in the delivery of education to primary care, undergraduates, post-graduates, nursing staff and other healthcare professionals. To participate in the out-of-hours on-call rota which includes weekday evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays. To maintain and develop skills in Palliative Medicine by participating in CME and maintaining an appropriate portfolio of evidence. To maintain CPD. To share skills and knowledge with others to assist in their professional development. To undertake annual appraisal with a designated appraiser and meet requirements for GMC revalidation. To attend and complete Hospice mandatory training and job specific compulsory training on an annual basis. To take an active part in hospice audit and encourage and support approved research projects. To act as a core member of the Integrated Specialist Palliative Care MDT for St Helens and Knowsley. To cooperate with staff and management in contributing to the responsible and efficient running of services. To cover medical colleagues during periods of absence and adhere to governance, health, safety and disciplinary procedures.
Be resident on site during day sessions and within 30 minutes response time during out-of-hours on call. Conduct a daily ward round when on call at the weekend and accept admissions where appropriate as agreed with the senior on call. Attend the daily multi-disciplinary team meetings or cross-setting clinical huddle meeting if required. Provide clinical advice by telephone to other healthcare professionals via the 24-Hour Specialist Palliative Care Telephone Advice Line. Participate in the first on-call rota for Willowbrook Hospice, anticipated at 1:4 to 1:8 depending on service needs.
About us
Willowbrook Hospice is an independent charitable organisation providing specialist palliative care for the population of St Helens and Knowsley. It provides complex symptom control, psychological, social, and spiritual support for patients and their families/carers. The Specialist Palliative Care Service for St Helens and Knowsley comprises the Hospice, Community and Hospital teams, working together through an integrated MDT with daily information sharing Huddles. The Community and Hospital teams provide a 9-5, 7 day per week service. The service participates in training for junior doctors and has one Specialty Registrar in Palliative Medicine and 2 WTE GP registrars. Medical students from the University of Liverpool attend placements at the Hospice throughout the year. Secretarial support is provided by the Medical Administrative Team located in the Hospice.
Details
Date posted: 10 September 2025
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: Depending on experience and aligns to Willowbrook Hospice banding
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: E0158-25-0005
Job locations: PORTICO LANE, PRESCOT, L34 2QT
Job responsibilities
Working alongside clinical colleagues (in the inpatient unit or community) and under the supervision of a senior medic, contribute to the clinical management of patients including initial assessment and review. Work with and respect the roles and skills of all members of the multi-professional team. Attend the daily MDT meetings or cross-setting clinical huddle as required. Liaise with other health care professionals (e.g., GPs) in planning care. Maintain accurate, comprehensive, contemporaneous medical and multi-professional records within the electronic patient record. Meet with families and carers as required. Contribute to the clinical supervision and training of junior medical staff. Be resident on site during day sessions and within 30 minutes response time during out-of-hours on call. Conduct daily ward rounds when on call at weekends and accept admissions as agreed with the senior on call. Provide clinical advice by telephone via the 24-Hour Specialist Palliative Care Telephone Advice Line. Take part in the Integrated Specialist Palliative Care Service Education Programme. Maintain CPD and CME; participate in hospice audit; support approved research projects. Act as a core member of the Integrated Specialist Palliative Care MDT for St Helens and Knowsley. Ensure clinical administration is up to date and participate in meetings; cover colleagues during periods of absence. Adhere to governance, health and safety policies, and disciplinary procedures. Maintain GMC registration, medical defence coverage, and relevant insurances.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential: Full GMC registration with a licence to practice; MBBS or equivalent; at least 4 years postgraduate training/experience in managing medical patients in primary or secondary care. Desirable: Diploma/MSC in Palliative Care; MRCP/MRCGP or equivalent; teaching qualification; advanced communication skills training. Essential experience: working in a hospice or palliative care setting; community-based service experience. Desirable experience: oncology experience; evidence of teamwork; teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Skills and Knowledge
Essential: clear and fluent English communication; understanding of research and critical appraisal; governance, risk management and clinical audit involvement; good decision making; IT skills. Desirable: publications; multidisciplinary team work; involvement in service development.
Personal Attributes
Essential: ability to recognise stress, clear and intelligible communication, empathy, non-judgemental approach, effective teamwork, teaching experience, probity, professional health requirements, and valid UK driving license.
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to the DBS will be required.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information see NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer: Willowbrook Hospice
Address: Portico Lane, Prescot, L34 2QT
Website: https://www.willowbrook.org.uk/
#J-18808-Ljbffr