NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
Applications are invited from enthusiastic and forward-thinking intensivists for a post as a Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) in NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
The successful applicant will be joining a Critical Care Team of 14 consultants based within University Hospital Crosshouse (UHC). The critical care team forms part of a wider Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care in NHS Ayrshire and Arran operating across University Hospital Crosshouse (UHC) and University Hospital Ayr (UHA). The wider department comprises 43 Consultants, 15 SAS doctors, and 15 Trainee Doctors.
The post will involve day-time sessions in Critical Care and contribution to the Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) on-call rota. If the successful candidate holds a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in anaesthesia then anaesthetic sessions could be included in the job plan; however, applicants from a non-anaesthesia training background are equally welcomed. The job plan agreed would be adjusted accordingly. The post holder will have the opportunity to develop sub-specialty interests to complement the existing expertise and interests of the department. UHC is a 539-bedded general hospital located on the outskirts of Kilmarnock, which was opened in 1982, and has been expanded and upgraded regularly since then, including the co-location of the Ayrshire Maternity Unit in 2006. The hospital serves the population of North and East Ayrshire, a base population of 225,000.
UHC provides a comprehensive range of surgical services including robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) for gynaecology, colorectal, and urology. The hospital also hosts several area-wide services, including Ayrshire’s Trauma Unit, Paediatrics (Medical and Surgical), Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ENT, Maxillofacial, and one national service – the Cochlear Implant Service.
UHC operates a combined Critical Care Unit that comprises 12 Level 3 (ICU) beds and 6 Level 2 (SHDU) beds currently co-located in a temporary Critical Care facility which is a legacy from changes that were made in response to the Covid Pandemic. There are additionally Level 1 (Surgical High Care / ERAS) beds and a separate Medical HDU located and staffed separately. Adjoining UHC, is the Ayrshire Maternity Unit (AMU). There are approximately 3900 deliveries per year. The Labour Suite has two theatres with dedicated anaesthetic assistance from a team of anaesthetic nurses and ODPs.
UHA lies just to the east of Ayr, and serves the population of South Ayrshire. Surgical specialties on site include general surgery, urology, ophthalmology, and all in-patient elective orthopaedics for Ayrshire. A focus on elective surgery is being developed, with expertise and innovative practice being used to drive improved quality and efficiency. UHA operates an 8 bed HDU critical care unit which is staffed in-hours by the critical care service with out-of-hours cover provided by the anaesthetists on the UHA site.
This post involves a contribution to the UHC, ICU on-call rota which is a 1:12 rota (plus prospective cover). Out-of-hours the consultant in ICM should be available to attend within 30 minutes. A trainee anaesthetist/intensivist or SAS grade doctor is resident 24 hours a day on a full shift pattern dedicated to covering the ICU. In addition, there is an anaesthetist covering the maternity unit 24 hours a day. Another junior anaesthetist is dedicated to emergency theatre until 9pm, 7 days a week.
In addition, this post involves participation on a 1:25 rota (plus prospective cover) for inter-hospital transfer of critically ill patients including transfers from the UHA site who require an ICU bed or transfer for tertiary care. Both UHC and UHA are easily accessed by road, with the M77 providing access to Glasgow within 30 – 45 minutes. Rail services also link Ayr and Kilmarnock to Glasgow and other surrounding towns, and Prestwick Airport lies approximately a 15 minute drive away.
Both sites provide free car parking facilities. The hospitals lie close to the stunning Ayrshire coastline, with many beaches and golf courses among other attractions.
For further information and informal visits, please contact:
Dr J Allan, Clinical Director 01563 827172 (Secretary) or 01563 521133 (Switchboard)
Interviews will take place on 28th February 2025 - 09:30am onwards.
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