Consultant Psychiatrist (Emergency/Crisis/Liaison Care)
The closing date is 16 March 2026
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) is seeking an ambitious Consultant Psychiatrist to take a senior clinical and leadership role in the development and delivery of a new Mental Health Urgent & Emergency Care (UEC) Centre at the Maudsley Hospital.
This innovative unit will provide a safe, therapeutic alternative to Emergency Departments for adults in acute mental health crisis, operating 24/7 and supporting pathways across South East London. The model draws on national evidence demonstrating improved patient and staff experience, reduced ED pressures, and better crisis flow across systems.
You will play a central role in establishing a modern crisis facility grounded in principles of autonomy, privacy, dignity and safety. The post holder will be closely involved in design, clinical planning and implementation. If appointed prior to opening (planned July 2026), protected time will support service development alongside clinical sessions within local crisis pathways, including liaison psychiatry at King’s College Hospital, Southwark Home Treatment Team, or SLaM's Centralised Place of Safety.
The post holder will provide senior medical leadership, expert assessment and risk formulation, oversee governance and quality improvement, and support the development of new emergency mental health pathways.
For an informal discussion, contact Dr John Bainton, Associate Medical Director, Southwark: john.bainton@slam.nhs.uk
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide Consultant Psychiatrist clinical leadership to the MH UEC Centre, and will supervise and line manage resident doctors in the Team.
The post holder will report to the Associate Medical Director for Southwark directorate. The post holder will join the Southwark consultant on‑call rota. There is a middle/second on call tier through residents in higher training, and first on call provision is provided by residents in core training.
Please note that this post is being advertised pending RCPsych approval
About us
The Trust is committed to providing services which embrace diversity and that promote equality of opportunity. We are a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community and people of all protected characteristics. We provide reasonable adjustments for candidates with a disability and are committed to treating people fairly with compassion, respect and dignity and in promoting equality and human rights. We aim to put this commitment into practice by:
* Embedding our commitment to tackling inequality, eliminating discrimination and harassment; promoting equality of opportunity and fostering good relations in our everyday practice
* Ensuring that all our services and all staff understand and support our commitment
* We believe that people who use our services, their carers and our staff, should be treated with compassion, respect and dignity
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
* 1. Clinical Leadership
Provide senior medical leadership to the MH UEC Centre, ensuring high‑quality clinical assessment, decision‑making and safe psychiatric management.
Lead multidisciplinary clinical reviews, care planning, and interface with the Acute Referrals Centre, HTTs, Liaison Psychiatry at acute hospitals (King’s, GSTT, Lewisham, Croydon), and acute inpatient psychiatric wards.
Offer expert advice on crisis care pathways, alternative to admission options, and complex risk decision‑making.
Ensure safe, ethical and legal practice under the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act.
* 2. Direct Clinical Care
Undertake comprehensive psychiatric assessments for patients presenting in acute mental health crisis after initial nursing assessment. The MH UEC Centre is a 24/7 nurse‑led service.
Provide formulation, diagnosis, treatment planning, and short‑stay medical management.
Manage high‑risk presentations, including suicidal crisis, psychosis, and acute deterioration.
Provide senior reviews for patients awaiting admission, discharge, and transfer decisions.
* 3. Streaming & System Flow
Support ED and LAS redirection pathways to ensure effective streaming into the MH UEC Centre.
Collaborate with police, AMHPs, ambulance services, and the CPOS to optimise arrival routes and Section 136 management.
Work closely with the ARC and bed management to reduce unnecessary inpatient admissions and improve length of stay/flow.
* 4. Clinical Governance and Quality
Lead quality improvement initiatives aligned with Trust and national priorities.
Ensure compliance with CQC, Royal College, and SLaM clinical quality frameworks, including audit, incident review, PSIRF, and QI methodology.
Maintain standards in safe prescribing, physical health monitoring, and documentation.
* 5. Workforce, Training & Supervision
Provide clinical supervision to resident doctors and contribute to teaching across the crisis pathway.
Support induction and ongoing development of the multidisciplinary team.
Contribute to consultant‑level leadership forums within the directorate.
* 6. Strategic Development
Support evaluation and iterative development of the MH UEC Centre model.
Contribute to business case development, pathway modelling, and service redesign informed by real‑world data, patient experience and national evidence.
Participate in system‑wide planning with SEL partners.
See attached document
Person Specification
Shortlisting
* Full GMC registration and licence to practise. MRCPsych or equivalent. CCT in General Adult Psychiatry (or within 6 months at interview). Approved Clinician and Section 12 approval (or ability to obtain).
* Essential Requirements: Broad clinical experience in general adult psychiatry. Experience managing psychiatric emergencies and high‑risk crisis presentations. Experience developing and delivering multidisciplinary care.
* Expert knowledge of psychiatric assessment, risk formulation and crisis care. Ability to lead MDTs and manage complexity under pressure. Strong understanding of MHA, MCA and crisis pathway governance. Excellent communication, negotiation and de‑stabilise skills.
* Postgraduate training (e.g., MSc, Diploma). Training or experience in crisis, liaison or emergency psychiatry.
* Desirable Requirements: Experience working in HTT, liaison psychiatry, ED settings or crisis alternatives. Experience of service development or QI methodologies.
* Awareness of trauma‑informed care, culturally competent practice and anti‑racism frameworks. Understanding of ED/UEC system flow and national UEC policy.
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.
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Depending on experience £109,725 - £145,478 per annum
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