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Employer: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type: NHS
Site: Royal Sussex County Hospital
Town: Brighton
Salary: £105,504 - £139,882 per annum
Salary period: Yearly
Closing: 20/03/2025 23:59
Job overview
We are seeking a substantive Consultant General and Upper Gastrointestinal (UGI) Surgeon including Emergency Surgery. The post holder will be part of a team of 9 upper GI surgeons contributing to the ongoing development and delivery of a high-quality upper GI and emergency surgery service to the population of Sussex.
This post will expand the consultant numbers and also provide sickness and shielding cover for the department. The expansion in consultant numbers has been conceived not only to better meet increasing demand but also to support tertiary level specialties and to reconfigure the acute service for our patients.
This is a full-time position including participation in a 1:6 on call rota for UHSussex including on call for complex benign UGI emergencies in addition to general surgical on call. An expansion in surgical workforce is planned which aims to reduce on call frequency. Candidates wishing to work less than full time are welcome.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will contribute to a surgical service for complex and general benign UGI surgical conditions. This work will be carried out predominantly in Haywards Heath (PRH), Brighton (RSCH), with some day case/clinic work in Lewes Victoria Hospital or Southlands Hospital (Shoreham). Emergency surgery provision work will be carried out predominantly at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton and consists of general, complex UGI and major trauma surgical emergencies. Endoscopy sessions may be scheduled at either RSCH or PRH. Future service reconfiguration may require post holders to work at any of the UH Sussex sites.
During the acute floor week the consultant will be in charge of the team delivering care to the Emergency Department, Ambulatory Care and CEPOD theatre lists.
During the ward round/on call weeks the consultants work in pairs, one with an UGI interest and one with a LGI interest. Daily consultant led ward rounds for each team ensure patient safety and facilitate efficient patient flows.
Additional Duties include:
* On Call Commitment
* Teaching and Training
* Quality Improvement
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main Duties, Responsibilities and Departmental Facilities
Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton is the major trauma and tertiary services centre for the Southeast Coast. We have recently opened the £500m Louisa Martindale Building (LMB) which is a state-of-the-art healthcare facility and newest major hospital building in England. In addition to general surgery, RSCH provides cardiac, neuro, spinal and major head and neck surgery. The LMB houses a 53 bed Critical Care Unit, a seven-room theatre and interventional radiology suite, and has sea views.
The post holders will also provide elective care for patients with complex benign UGI conditions. UHSx has an established robotic service at Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath delivering complex benign UGI surgery, urology and gynaecology. Until recently only short stay patients could be accommodated at PRH, but the service has been expanded to facilitate longer stays for patients with more complex conditions. Some complex work is also provided at Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.
We have expanded our emergency surgery capacity including the provision of a Surgical Assessment Unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton. This opened in October 2024 and will facilitate same day emergency care and hot clinic pathways. Post holders will help support the general surgical on call rota and the Major Trauma Service. On call responsibilities are based at Royal Sussex County Hospital. Out of hours emergency advice and surgery is provided for the entire range of general surgery presentations. A trauma damage control surgery (DCS) rota is in development, and at the current time trauma DCS is provided by the on call general surgeon with input from other specialities (eg: vascular surgery) as required. Therefore, experience with major trauma patients and damage control surgery is desirable. Daytime emergency surgery (‘CEPOD’) is carried out by the majority of general surgeons on a rotating basis.
We are also seeking clinical leadership for our emergency general surgery service and the SAU. An interest in taking such a leadership position would be an advantage.
The post holder will be expected to take a significant role in ensuring governance and oversight of the UGI surgery service. This includes active participation in morbidity/mortality meetings, delivery of local and national audits, implementation of NICE guidance and leading quality improvement activities. Previous experience in the development of quality governance structures would be desirable and additional job planned time may be available for candidates wishing to take a lead role in governance.
The Trust houses an active Postgraduate Education Centre and is closely linked to Brighton and Sussex Medical School. The medical school is one of the newest in the country and has been oversubscribed for many years. The post holder will be expected to contribute to teaching and training programmes both of medical students and surgeons in training. There is dedicated teaching time scheduled within the job plan.
The Trust seeks to develop its research credentials and would actively encourage applicants with a strong research portfolio. Research time within job plan can be negotiated on appointment, on demonstration of research credentials and agreement on expected research output. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to apply for honorary academic positions at the medical school and join our existing cohort of Senior Lecturers.
The Trust has the required arrangements in place to ensure that all surgeons have an annual appraisal with a trained appraiser and supports surgeons going through the revalidation process. All consultants are encouraged and supported to become appraisers for consultant colleagues. Training and time in job plans is allocated for consultant appraisers.
Person specification
Experience/Qualifications
* Full GMC Registration with a licence to practice
* CCT in General Surgery or equivalent (equivalence must be confirmed by GMC by date of AAC)
* Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register or eligibility for entry within 6 months of the date of the AAC
Clinical Skills & Experience
* Experience in minimal access UGI resection
* Appropriate skills and experience in benign complex UGI surgery
* Experience working in a major trauma centre
* Qualification in trauma damage control surgery
* Fellowship training in hepatobiliary surgery or complex benign UGI surgery
Knowledge
* Breadth of experience in and outside specialty
* Qualification in risk management, patient safety, quality improvement or equivalent
Organisation & Planning
* Experience and ability to work in multi-professional teams
* Understanding of: NHS / Clinical governance / Resource constraints
* Evidence of managerial skills/experience: Achievements / Course attended
Teaching Skills
* Evidence of an interest and commitment to teaching/training
* Recognised medical education qualification
Academic research
* Evidence of participation in audit
* Publications in peer reviewed journals
* Research Grant applications
* Prizes and honours
* Appropriate progression of career to date
Personal Attributes, Behaviours & Values
* Good communication skills both oral and written
* Evidence of participation in programs to increase inclusion and diversity in healthcare
Important information for applicants:
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Further Information
For help with the application process for Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nursingteam@nhs.net.
For help with the application process for Non-Nursing vacancies, please email uhsussex.nonnursingteam@nhs.net.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Name: Dr Stephen Drage
Job title: Chief of Surgery
Email address: Stephen.Drage@nhs.net
Telephone number: 01273 696955
Visiting Arrangements
Applicants are invited to visit the hospital or to phone via hospital switchboard on 01273 696955 for informal discussion by arrangement with Dr Stephen Drage (Chief of Service) and Mr Antonios Athanasiou (Clinical Lead).
To arrange a visit or discussion please contact:
Sarah Woodrow
PA to Division of Surgery and Critical Care
Tel: 01273 696955 (extn 64044)
Mobile: 07557 823316
Email: sarah.woodrow3@nhs.net
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