Job overview
We are seeking a forward-thinking Consultant Psychiatrist to join our dedicated inpatient team on Dunes Ward at Hartley Hospital.
Dunes Ward is a 20-bedded specialist older adult inpatient unit providing assessment, treatment and recovery-focused care for people with complex mental health needs. Located within Hartley Hospital, the ward offers a modern therapeutic environment designed to support excellent patient outcomes and staff wellbeing.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead an experienced multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality care for older adults requiring specialist inpatient treatment. You will have the opportunity to shape service development, contribute to teaching and training, and play a key role in driving continuous improvement within a supportive and ambitious organisation.
At Mersey Care, we are committed to creating an inclusive, compassionate and innovative workplace where our staff can thrive. We offer a strong medical leadership structure, excellent professional development opportunities and a culture that values collaboration, wellbeing and work-life balance.
Main duties of the job
You will provide clinical leadership to a skilled multidisciplinary team delivering specialist inpatient care for older adults with complex mental health needs.
You will be responsible for the assessment, diagnosis and ongoing management of patients admitted to the ward, acting as Responsible Clinician where appropriate and ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and recovery-focused care. Working closely with nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, pharmacy and social care colleagues, you will contribute to the development of personalised treatment plans and support timely, well-coordinated discharges back into the community.
This role offers the opportunity to influence and shape the future development of inpatient older adult mental health services within Mersey Care. You will play a key leadership role within the ward, supporting a positive team culture and providing supervision, teaching and development opportunities for medical students and postgraduate doctors in training.
You will contribute to service improvement, clinical governance and quality improvement initiatives, helping to ensure the highest standards of care for patients and their families.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details and requirements of the role.
Applicant requirements
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.
Person specification
Transport
Essential
- Holds valid UK driving licence and will use own car for work related travel OR provides evidence of proposed alternative
Registration
Essential
- Full registration with General Medical Council
- Inclusion on or eligible for inclusion on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council or within 6 months of CCST/CCT or equivalent in Old age Psychiatry at date of interview
- Section 12 (2) Approval + Approved Clinician Status or demonstrated ability to gain approval
Desirable
- In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice
Qualification and Training
Essential
- MbChb, MBBS or equivalent
- Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists or equivalent, 3 years higher professional training in Old age psychiatry
Desirable
- Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management
- Additional Qualifications
- Undertaken ‘Train the Trainer’ and ‘Equality and Diversity’ Training
Academic Skills & Lifgelong Learning
Essential
- Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training
Desirable
- Able to plan and deliver teaching and training relevant to the post
Clinical Skills,Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Excellent clinical knowledge in specialty
- Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty
- Makes decision based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others
- Able to meet duties under MHA and MCA
Desirable
- Experience in working previously in similar roles at a relevant level
- Training or worked as a DoLs assessor
- Experience in management and service development
- Knowledge and use of IT systems
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Consultant Psychiatrist - Older Adults Inpatients (Dunes Ward) with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust in Prescot, North West, England. It is listed as a Consultant Medical doctor Psychiatry role. The advertised salary is £113,565 - £150,569 per annum 7.5% R&R (non contractual) plus on-call. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 09 Aug 2026.
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