Consultant Colorectal & General Surgeon

Job overview

Applications are invited for a locum Consultant General Surgeon with a specialist interest in Colorectal Surgery to join a well-established and successful team of five colorectal surgeons at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The successful candidate will also contribute to a wider team of 12 consultants delivering both elective and emergency general surgery, with opportunities to develop their sub-specialty interests.

As a Teaching Hospital, we are committed to excellence in education. The successful applicant must demonstrate a track record of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, including prior formal roles, and show evidence of ongoing commitment to education. A proven interest in research—ideally at MD level or above—is also required

Main duties of the job

Over the past two years, the Trust has invested in three robotic platforms—CMR Surgical Versius and Intuitive Da Vinci Xi systems—demonstrating our commitment to surgical innovation. Prior training in robotic surgery, including attendance at relevant courses and experience in robotic colorectal cancer resections, is highly desirable. With one of the highest minimally invasive colorectal surgery rates in the UK, our unit seeks applicants who have completed an accredited laparoscopic or robotic colorectal fellowship.

A significant interest and proven expertise in complex Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) surgery is essential, and fellowship-level training in this area is highly desirable. We offer a collaborative and supportive team environment, with opportunities for joint surgery, structured mentoring, and training to maintain the Trust’s excellent outcomes in the National Bowel Cancer Audit (NBOCA).

Close collaboration with our Gastroenterology colleagues is embedded in practice, and regular Lower GI endoscopy will form part of the role. Full JAG accreditation is therefore essential.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The appointee will support the Trust in delivering the NHS Modernisation Plan, including the achievement of 18-week referral-to-treatment and cancer performance targets.

The post includes up to 1.5 SPAs to support activities such as appraisal, revalidation, and professional development. With activity across three sites, job plans are structured to accommodate reasonable travel time. There is a good complement of junior and resident medical staff distributed across sites, ensuring safe and high-quality care. The successful candidate will also play an important role in supervising and training Basic and Higher Surgical Trainees.

The working conditions and job plan will be equitable to those of existing consultants, with full support to help the successful applicant integrate and thrive within our department.