Job summary Dear Future Colleague, We're delighted you are considering joining our team. We are writing to tell you about us, what we are looking for, and what we can offer you. Ours is a large friendly, and well supported department. We are relishing the exciting opportunity to continue our service into our community within the Somerset Hospital at Home frailty medical team. Part of the trust virtual wards service. With the highest GMC score for training in the Southwest, close links to both Bristol University and Peninsula Medical School and a well-established mentoring scheme, we would like to encourage those approaching their CCT (or equivalent) certification, as well as experienced Consultants, to join our team. A merger with Yeovil District Hospital, in April 2023 allows us to provide excellent county wide equitable care as a truly integrated secondary care trust which includes and values well being, physical and mental health for our population and each other. We are open to discussing job share or less than full time arrangements. The post is genuinely flexible for a working pattern to suit the individual and team. This is an unmissable opportunity to shape your own job plan What we offer is explained over the next few pages, but please come and visit us or give us a call. To arrange a visit to the team or an informal discussion with them, to find out more please contact Main duties of the job A typical day in the team Morning handover on Teams with 4 neighbourhoods represented Lead on planning workload for day Direct clinical work: home visits, phone calls, providing advice to trainee ACPs via phone or videocall Some sessions as desk-based medic in Care Co-ordination, our community hub, to help triage and facilitate referrals from primary and secondary care Service development, developing relationships in community and with Acute secondary care providers No day will look the same; flexibility is key as the service develops Training and supervision on junior medical and t ACP's About us At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer: Flexible working options to help you balance work and life NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work. We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds. Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London. The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future. Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy. Date posted 31 January 2025 Pay scheme Hospital medical and dental staff Grade Consultant Salary Depending on experience 8 PA per week Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number 184-OL-MED-DEAN-1656 Job locations Bridgwater Community Hospital Bower Lane Bridgwater Somerset TA6 4GU Harrison House Taunton Somerset TA1 2PX Job description Job responsibilities Vision The care of frail older people is a 'flagship' project for the NHS in Somerset. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape care for older adults across our county. Frailty is a team effort: everyone here is committed to the successful delivery of services across the whole of Somerset with proactive collaborative working between primary and secondary care in community and acute settings. Our work is supported by the National Frailty Network, and is a priority programme across Somerset, alongside other initiatives including Anticipatory Care. Our clinical strategy will increase the time people have to do the things that matter to them, focussing on more time in good health whilst eliminating wasted time in health care. Somerset Foundation Trust is the first Trust in England formed of acute, mental health and community services and offers clinicians an incredible opportunity to shape pathways of care which can mirror the holistic needs of those with frailty. The Post We will work flexibly to help you develop a job plan that helps us and is right for you. A seven-day frailty service is planned and funded. The post can be whole time or LTFT. If you hold general internal medical accreditation and are interested in a slot on call at the acute site this can be accommodated with generous programmed activities to make the work manageable. The post-holder will integrate with our established HH medical and advanced practitioner team to improve established and deliver new services. If you have a passion for service improvement and a strong person-centred approach, wish to reduce inequalities within the older population across Somerset and would like to help us deliver more care where people want it - we are the team for you. You can be based in any part of our county to support your needs and include remote working practices to facilitate improved work life balance. Somerset benefits from a network of community hospitals and mental health units, and we're helping Primary Care Networks to support the most vulnerable in their own homes, including care homes. Both Trusts have a 'Good' CQC rating. Taunton's been awarded the highest GMC score in the South West for training, and both hospitals provide outstanding training for medical students. The post holder can become an educational supervisor for resident doctors to inspire the next generation of clinicians towards community older persons' care. Key areas of community work delivered by SFT could include: Helping to lead and deliver our new frailty HospitalHome team with Advanced Clinical Practitioners - supported where needed by our multidisciplinary Rapid Response and 'Discharge to Assess' (D2A) team - providing urgent Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, nursing, therapy and care support to patients in the community, averting hospital admissions and supporting discharge. Delivering care and clinical support in community hospitals to ensure a holistic and realistic approach to rehabilitation and discharge planning. This is alongside our existing medical and advance practitioner colleagues already on these wards. The integration of high-quality geriatrician support into our intermediate care settings is a key element in delivering the best services to our population. Key Responsibilities The appointee would be expected to observe a degree of flexibility within the proposed job plan to allow for a flexible approach to service needs. The proposed timetable will be open to change following discussion with the AMD. Some key responsibilities associated with the post are: The role is subject to the Terms and Conditions Consultants (England) 2003. Deliver a full range of specialist diagnoses, treatment and care to patients requiring geriatric services to the highest possible standard. Assume responsibility for the organisation, management and diagnosis of treatment of patients in the hospital or community in conjunction with colleagues across the hospital. Fully comply with all the requirements set out in the Trusts' policies. Supervise the education of Junior Doctors and AHP trainees through effective scheduling of their teaching and training activities in support of professional and personal development. Mentor/Coach Junior Doctors and AHPs and provide assessments and appraisals ensuring any appropriate remedial action is taken where appropriate. Initiate and supervise audit projects in order to actively contribute to the development and reporting of Clinical Quality Standards. Ensure all activities undertaken are within the required level of competence expected by the Trust and the professional organisation relating to the speciality. Work with colleagues to develop service in line with key stakeholders (patients, commissioners, etc.). Research activities as agreed. Responsible for undertaking administrative and budgetary duties associated with the care of patients and the efficient running of the department. Provide cover for colleagues in their absence and deal with emergencies as occasion demands. Complete all Mandatory training. Actively participate in the annual appraisal and job planning process. Clinical Audit and quality improvement (QI) are actively encouraged at all levels in the Service Group and the Trust. We have an outstanding QI department who have supported a lot of development in our department and continue to do so. We have colleagues engaged in a GOLD QI project with the aim of finding alternatives to bedded care within acute geriatrics. This involves a learning project on QI methodology with support from a motivated and experienced QI team. The Trust recognises the importance of continuing medical education and encourages consultant staff to give priority to their continuing professional development. 30 days of study/professional leave over each 3-year period are available for this. There is an active Academy supporting under- and postgraduate education with 3 full time administrative staff and spaces for teaching and meetings as well as a well-stocked library with a full-time librarian and the usual audio-visual aids and research facilities. A medical photographic service is available for help in preparation of material for lectures and publications. There are regular education meetings for hospital staff and for general practitioners. Job description Job responsibilities Vision The care of frail older people is a 'flagship' project for the NHS in Somerset. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape care for older adults across our county. Frailty is a team effort: everyone here is committed to the successful delivery of services across the whole of Somerset with proactive collaborative working between primary and secondary care in community and acute settings. Our work is supported by the National Frailty Network, and is a priority programme across Somerset, alongside other initiatives including Anticipatory Care. Our clinical strategy will increase the time people have to do the things that matter to them, focussing on more time in good health whilst eliminating wasted time in health care. Somerset Foundation Trust is the first Trust in England formed of acute, mental health and community services and offers clinicians an incredible opportunity to shape pathways of care which can mirror the holistic needs of those with frailty. The Post We will work flexibly to help you develop a job plan that helps us and is right for you. A seven-day frailty service is planned and funded. The post can be whole time or LTFT. If you hold general internal medical accreditation and are interested in a slot on call at the acute site this can be accommodated with generous programmed activities to make the work manageable. The post-holder will integrate with our established HH medical and advanced practitioner team to improve established and deliver new services. If you have a passion for service improvement and a strong person-centred approach, wish to reduce inequalities within the older population across Somerset and would like to help us deliver more care where people want it - we are the team for you. You can be based in any part of our county to support your needs and include remote working practices to facilitate improved work life balance. Somerset benefits from a network of community hospitals and mental health units, and we're helping Primary Care Networks to support the most vulnerable in their own homes, including care homes. Both Trusts have a 'Good' CQC rating. Taunton's been awarded the highest GMC score in the South West for training, and both hospitals provide outstanding training for medical students. The post holder can become an educational supervisor for resident doctors to inspire the next generation of clinicians towards community older persons' care. Key areas of community work delivered by SFT could include: Helping to lead and deliver our new frailty HospitalHome team with Advanced Clinical Practitioners - supported where needed by our multidisciplinary Rapid Response and 'Discharge to Assess' (D2A) team - providing urgent Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, nursing, therapy and care support to patients in the community, averting hospital admissions and supporting discharge. Delivering care and clinical support in community hospitals to ensure a holistic and realistic approach to rehabilitation and discharge planning. This is alongside our existing medical and advance practitioner colleagues already on these wards. The integration of high-quality geriatrician support into our intermediate care settings is a key element in delivering the best services to our population. Key Responsibilities The appointee would be expected to observe a degree of flexibility within the proposed job plan to allow for a flexible approach to service needs. The proposed timetable will be open to change following discussion with the AMD. Some key responsibilities associated with the post are: The role is subject to the Terms and Conditions Consultants (England) 2003. Deliver a full range of specialist diagnoses, treatment and care to patients requiring geriatric services to the highest possible standard. Assume responsibility for the organisation, management and diagnosis of treatment of patients in the hospital or community in conjunction with colleagues across the hospital. Fully comply with all the requirements set out in the Trusts' policies. Supervise the education of Junior Doctors and AHP trainees through effective scheduling of their teaching and training activities in support of professional and personal development. Mentor/Coach Junior Doctors and AHPs and provide assessments and appraisals ensuring any appropriate remedial action is taken where appropriate. Initiate and supervise audit projects in order to actively contribute to the development and reporting of Clinical Quality Standards. Ensure all activities undertaken are within the required level of competence expected by the Trust and the professional organisation relating to the speciality. Work with colleagues to develop service in line with key stakeholders (patients, commissioners, etc.). Research activities as agreed. Responsible for undertaking administrative and budgetary duties associated with the care of patients and the efficient running of the department. Provide cover for colleagues in their absence and deal with emergencies as occasion demands. Complete all Mandatory training. Actively participate in the annual appraisal and job planning process. Clinical Audit and quality improvement (QI) are actively encouraged at all levels in the Service Group and the Trust. We have an outstanding QI department who have supported a lot of development in our department and continue to do so. We have colleagues engaged in a GOLD QI project with the aim of finding alternatives to bedded care within acute geriatrics. This involves a learning project on QI methodology with support from a motivated and experienced QI team. The Trust recognises the importance of continuing medical education and encourages consultant staff to give priority to their continuing professional development. 30 days of study/professional leave over each 3-year period are available for this. There is an active Academy supporting under- and postgraduate education with 3 full time administrative staff and spaces for teaching and meetings as well as a well-stocked library with a full-time librarian and the usual audio-visual aids and research facilities. A medical photographic service is available for help in preparation of material for lectures and publications. There are regular education meetings for hospital staff and for general practitioners. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Entry on Specialist Register with CCT in Geriatric Medicine and/or G(I)M within 6 months of date of interview for this post. MRCP(UK) or equivalent ALS provider please see full Job Description Experience Essential Demonstrable commitment and enthusiasm for geriatric medicine Broad experience in geriatric medicine in dedicated unit(s) in a variety of UK settings including community setting Demonstrable commitment and enthusiasm Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical diagnosis and care of patients Clear, logical thought processes displaying an analytical/scientific approach Evidence of ability to mentor staff, both medical and nursing Additional Criteria Essential please see Job description Person Specification Qualifications Essential Entry on Specialist Register with CCT in Geriatric Medicine and/or G(I)M within 6 months of date of interview for this post. MRCP(UK) or equivalent ALS provider please see full Job Description Experience Essential Demonstrable commitment and enthusiasm for geriatric medicine Broad experience in geriatric medicine in dedicated unit(s) in a variety of UK settings including community setting Demonstrable commitment and enthusiasm Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical diagnosis and care of patients Clear, logical thought processes displaying an analytical/scientific approach Evidence of ability to mentor staff, both medical and nursing Additional Criteria Essential please see Job description 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Address Bridgwater Community Hospital Bower Lane Bridgwater Somerset TA6 4GU Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)