Consultant General & Benign UGI Surgeon

Job details

• Branch: Altnagelvin Hospital
• Location: Altnagelvin Hospital
• Salary: (See job details)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 02/09/26
• Closes: Fri, 25 September 2026 @ 3:30 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Job description

This recruitment exercise is to recruit a General and Benign UGI Surgeon (10 PAs) based in Altnagelvin Hospital but with Trust-wide working.

We are seeking to recruit candidates who have a sub-Specialist interest in Upper GI. An interest in general paediatric surgery would also be welcomed.

To provide high quality, effective and efficient general surgical and Benign UGI surgical elective and emergency services within the contract resources available to Western HSC Trust.

To provide specialist general surgery to meet the needs of the population.

To share in the collective responsibility for the provision of Surgical Services for patients within the General Surgery and Benign UGI specialty.

To provide senior decision making within the General Surgical Team.

To contribute to the development in excellence in clinical practice through research, audit and undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

These posts are full time positions and it is anticipated that work allocation will be split across the two Acute hospital sites with unscheduled and complex surgeries on the Altnagelvin site and straightforward elective being performed at the South West Acute site.

This position entitles 10 PA job with additional PAs available for training, education/specialist activities, to be determined upon appointment.

The Trust would wish to offer all candidates opportunity to specialise in their preferred specialism. Every effort will be made to ensure these opportunities are available.

The Western Trust has recently announced a Robotic Surgery Programme. Subject to Trust planning, service requirements and appropriate training, the successful appointee may have the opportunity to participate in and contribute to the development of this programme.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Be accountable for the continuous care of his/her patients within a team setting.
• Undertake shared rota arrangements with colleagues in post, to provide the highest possible level of senior decision making within General Surgery for patients in the care of the Trust.
• Work together with colleagues in the further development of general surgery appropriate to a District General Hospital in the area.
• Provide procedures relating to the specialty and develop same in keeping with medical advances.
• Support the supervision and education of junior doctors.
• Participate in the provision of emergency and elective work of the General Surgical services based within the Western Health & Social Care Trust.
• Provide with the other Consultant Surgeons the acute emergency general surgical services operating a system of mutual out of hours cover providing prospective cover for absent colleagues on annual and study leave.
• Whilst working as the on-call Consultant, be available to provide advice to GPs by telephone.
• Provide within the speciality of general surgery expert acute general surgery.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues to expand and further develop the present surgical service.
• Work collaboratively with neighbouring Trusts in keeping with best clinical practice, regional strategy and Trust policy.
• Take part in an Emergency General Surgery on-call rota.
• Participate fully in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and promote knowledge of General Surgery amongst colleagues.
• Respond to external requests for teaching on issues related to General Surgery where possible within the service needs.
• Participate in in-service training for hospital staff.
• Seek to develop research-based practice within statutory services and in combination with outside academic institutions.
• Maintain a high level of specialist knowledge in General and Emergency Paediatric Surgery.
• Fulfil the relevant commitment to continuing professional development/continuing medical education.
• Actively participate in clinical audit.
• Encourage research within the speciality.
• Contribute to and participate in original and on-going clinical research.
• Liaise with the Information Department on the preparation, collection and dissemination of statistics and other information in relation to the planning, provision and development of this service.
• Undertake the administrative responsibilities associated with the care of his/her patients and contribute to the smooth running of the department.
• Provide reciprocal cover for colleagues when they are off site or on leave.
• Participate in the essential elements of clinical and social care governance, including audit, promoting and sharing good practice, quality standard setting, risk management, incident reporting, promoting evidence-based practice, and continuing professional and personal development.
• Keep up to date with innovations and ideas within the profession and follow the recommendations of the Royal College of Surgeons on Continuing Medical Education.

Person specification

Qualifications/Registration

• Essential: Hold or be eligible for Full General Medical Council (London) and Licence to Practise, and be on or be eligible to be on the GMC Specialist Register for General Surgery via CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of interview date) OR Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR) route (or within 6 months of award of CCT by date of interview, evidenced by CESR application submitted to the GMC; evidence including dates submitted and acceptance of submission from GMC is required).
• Essential: Have experience in General, Benign UGI and Emergency surgery
• Desirable: Higher Qualifications e.g. MD, PhD
• Desirable: Up to date ATLS/European Trauma Course or equivalent
• Desirable: JAG Accredited in upper/lower or both endoscopy.
• Desirable: Research/Publications
• Desirable: Fellowship training in upper or lower GI surgery (completed or planned)

Other

• Essential: Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment or have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post and meet the on-call commitments. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Knowledge

• Essential: General and UGI Surgery Experience
• Essential: Paediatric Emergency Surgery

Special Aptitudes

• Essential: Clinical Governance.
• Essential: Revalidation/Appraisal
• Essential: Evidence of QI Projects.
• Essential: Good Communication/Interpersonal
• Essential: Teamwork/Leadership
• Essential: Teaching - training/supervising undergraduate and postgraduate trainees

Knowledge/Experience

• Desirable: A Special Interest in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery