Consultant with Hospital and Home Team (HAHT)

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a consultant for Hospital @ Home and Acute Medicine services at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust.

This new role has been created following the integration of Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) services, Hospital at Home and community partners to provide the local population with an integrated care pathway.

Successful implementation of SDEC in the new “SDEC Village” alongside the Frailty Assessment Unit and H@H ensures that timely care is delivered whilst avoiding unnecessary admission, reducing duplication and ensuring that sickest patients are prioritised.

Main duties of the job

This is a 10PA job (with option of participation in medical on call - 1 in 16). It is envisaged that this post will evolve to attract more consultant colleagues to support HAH and existing SDEC services in the trust.

You will join the lead consultant and on the “hot week rota”, providing 5 weeks in six cover for HAH and will be responsible for coordinating the care of the patients on the Hospital At Home pathway. You will work with your team of experienced Nurses, Therapists, Pharmacist and Other allied health professionals to provide step up and step down care. The aim of SDEC HAH is to achieve a reduction of avoidable hospital admissions and to facilitate earlier, safe discharge of patients from the acute services. You will work closely with the Acute Medicine colleagues and colleagues in the Frailty Assessment Unit. There will be flexibility in working pattern with the Acute Medical team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Key Duties and responsibilities of the post will be;

• Provide medical leadership and deliver holistic care to patients admitted under (HAH),working in close collaboration with the wider multi-professional team.
• Independently manage patients with a wide range of acute medical presentations, including initial assessment of surgical patients.
• Make early and appropriate clinical decisions for emergency admissions
• Supervise admissions into the HAH service and promote patient flow from the Emergency Department and step-down from wards.
• Lead the Hospital At Home post-take process by reviewing patient lists, identifying appropriate candidates for HAH admission, and coordinating timely transfer of care.
• Participate in and provide consultant leadership for acute medical post-take ward rounds,ensuring timely senior review, clear management planning, and safe patient flow.
• Provide medical support to community teams through advice, domiciliary visits, or outpatient assessments.