Job overview
We are looking to recruit a dynamic substantive Consultant to work in our established Diabetes and Endocrinology Department at Bedford Hospital, which is part of the merged Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The appointment is for a full-time replacement post, however we would encourage anyone looking for flexible working or less than full time to apply as this may be accommodated. The role is to provide general endocrine and diabetes outpatient services at an exciting time with increases in diabetes technology and patient autonomy, changing ways of managing outpatient endocrinology as well as being part of the consultant team providing general inpatient care to the firm’s general medical patients. We welcome colleagues with current sub-speciality interests and are very supportive of colleagues who are at an early stage in their consultant career and wish to develop a specialist interest. The appointee will join a multidisciplinary team of Doctors, Nurses, Dieticians, Podiatrists, secretarial and support staff providing specialist inpatient and outpatient Diabetes and Endocrine services as well as General Medical inpatient services to the local population.
Main duties of the job
Outpatients. Clinics would include general endocrinology and diabetes clinics depending upon the post-holder’s interests and the clinical needs of the department. There is opportunity to take a leading role, for instance in Endocrinology. The Post-holder would be expected to provide specialist consultant advice for other members of the department, other departments within the hospital and local GPs as required. Some cross cover for other consultants’ leave in the department is expected (for example support for inpatient diabetes). The post-holder would also share in the review of departmental results, advice and guidance to GPs and triage of GP referrals.
Inpatients These duties are shared on a rotational basis with 3 other consultants from the department, 13 weeks/year per consultant but divided flexibly into 2-3 week blocks. Includes daily consultant ward rounds of general medical inpatients (approx. 15-20), (sited on 2 adjacent wards which are shared with cardiology) and specialist referrals for other medical and surgical teams. When on ward weeks, other clinical commitments are reduced.
Additional duties include:
·To contribute to departmental and National audits and take part in clinical governance activities
·To contribute to informal (ward based) HCP teaching and training as may be required including training of resident doctors and medical students during ward rounds and clinics.
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.
Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
A 10 PA week consists of 8.5 PAs direct clinical care and 1.5 PAs for Supporting Professional Activity (SPA).
The department has a flexible approach to clinic activities and flexes some clinics depending upon demand; however the total clinical time would remain constant. Only clinical/ward commitments have been specified. The year is based upon 42 working weeks per individual consultant and clinics are annualized.
Outpatient work
Endocrine and Diabetes clinics would be agreed with the Post holder depending upon their interest and needs of the department with the total clinical sessions to fit within job plan but would normally include 1 - 2 each of general Endocrine clinics and diabetes clinics per week plus a specialist clinic. Outpatient work is reduced when the consultant is doing ward duties. Endocrine clinics are based on 30 minute slots for most new patients (occasional thyroid new clinics are 20 minute slots) and 15 minutes for follow-ups keeping the ratio of New:FU approx. 1:3. The time slots for Diabetes Clinics depends on the type of clinic but ranges from 20 to 30 minutes per patient.
The consultant would have the opportunity to become trained in DAFNE and support the structured Education courses, if this training has not already been obtained. The appointee would be expected to be able to make full use of the latest technology used by our diabetes patients; training can be provided.
To provide support for the department depending upon availability of other consultants in the department (eg for urgent clinical queries, result reviews and podiatry review requests).
To provide clinical support to other AHPs including the endocrine nurse and her clinics, the diabetes specialist nurses and podiatrists.
Inpatient work:
On a rotational basis with other consultants in the department:
To provide full consultant ward round of all the firm’s inpatients 3 times a week (more depending upon clinical need), to assess all new and sick patients to the firm on a daily basis (Mon-Fri) and to perform, at least, a verbal review (board round) of all patients every day in the morning at the ward MDT meeting. To ensure a member of the team attends the daily 0830 AAU handover meeting.
To provide specialist advice/see referrals from other inpatient teams.
To provide supervision to the junior doctor team and flexible consultant input depending upon the seniority level of the available juniors.
When on the wards, to provide support to the inpatient diabetes nursing team if the lead inpatient consultant is not available. There maybe changes in the level of ward duties depending on the needs of the department and on discussion with the Clinical Lead/CD.
There is a weekend rota providing telephone support for the diabetes inpatient specialist nurses (currently 1 hour per day, weekends and bank holidays in rotation with other consultants), in addition the team covers a short ward round on the base wards on bank holidays and these are paid as extra work and can be discussed with the CD.
MDT/clinical meetings:
Diabetes MDT/clinical meeting once a month,
Thyroid MDT once a month
Endocrine clinical meeting once a month
If involved in the Young Adult/Transition Diabetes Service, 2 per month
Pituitary SMDT as required
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Please note that all shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a virtual pre-interview assessment process.
Closing Date: 21.12.2025
Assessment Date: Week Commencing 05.01.2026
Interview Date: 19.01.2026
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Medical degree and full GMC registration
2. Entry onto GMC Specialist Register for General Medicine, Diabetes & Endocrinology
Desirable criteria
3. MD or equivalent higher degree or evidence of relevant research
Experience
Essential criteria
4. Excellent all round experience in DGH work
5. Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience at senior level in acute general medicine and Diabetes & Endocrinology
Desirable criteria
6. NHS Clinical Experience at Senior Level
7. DAFNE doctor or equivalent Diabetes Structured Education training
Clinical Effectiveness
Essential criteria
8. Understanding of Clinical Governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
Desirable criteria
9. Participation in relevant National Audits
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.