Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Locum Consultant in Anaesthetics, interest in Pre-Operative Assessment


Location
Luton, England
Salary
£113,565 - £150,569 per annum
Profession
Medical doctor
Grade
Consultant
Deadline
02 Aug 2026
Contract Type
Fixed term: 12 months (10 PA's)
Posted Date
20 Jul 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly and well-established pre-operative assessment team.  We are expanding our current team to meet increasing demand driven by the expansion of surgical services, and the addition of new theatres in a new Acute Services Block currently under construction.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic consultant to join our Anaesthetic department. The Department consists of 48 Consultants, (10 specialising in ITU) and a similar number of trainees and SAS grades. Surgical specialties include all major DGH specialties, as well as complex head and neck, paediatrics and bariatrics. The non-resident on-call commitment is currently 1:20 and covers emergency surgery and obstetrics.

The hospital is renowned for its friendly atmosphere and progressive culture. The Trust has University Hospital status with UCL and the Royal Free, which provides opportunity to strengthen our teaching and R&D program. The department is fully committed to teaching and training both undergraduate medical students and postgraduate doctors.

Luton and Dunstable hospital is located within easy access to central London and the Midlands.  London Luton Airport is within fifteen minutes’ drive from the hospital.  There are many attractive villages and towns nearby like St Albans and Harpenden which has excellent schools.

Main duties of the job

The appointee will join the well-established Anaesthetics Department as part of a service development plan, where we currently have a new Acute Surgical Block (ASB) under construction which is due for completion in 2025.

Applicants must be included in the GMC Specialist Register for Anaesthetics or be within six months of CCT accreditation.  The successful applicants will provide a comprehensive high quality Anaesthesia service.

We have a dedicated Pre-Operative Assessment Service which reviews and prepares patients ahead of surgery. This multi-disciplinary service is provided by Consultant Anaesthetists, specialist nursing staff, a prescribing pharmacist and an Elderly Care Consultant.  It is well supported across the other hospital specialties. The successful candidate is expected to join the team and provide regular sessions to this service.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The appointments will be subject to full Occupational Health Clearance and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for the successful candidates prior to commencement.

The appointee will have Full UK MedicalDental registration  at time of application.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible. If you have not received correspondence inviting you for interview within 28 days of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Person specification

Teaching

Essential

  • Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students.

Desirable

  • Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course.

Registration

Essential

  • Full GMC registration with a Licence to Practice
  • Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register: CCT (or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview) or CESR (must be on Specialist Register at time of applying)

Qualifications

Essential

  • FRCA or equivalent
  • Entry on the GMC Specialist
  • On the specialty register in Anaesthesia or eligible for entry within 6 months of the interview date

Desirable

  • MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research
  • ALS, ATLS, EPLS
  • Membership of the Pre-operative Association
  • Qualification in Peri-operative Medicine

Personnel Skills

Essential

  • Ability to co-operate in a democratic team environment
  • Flexible attitude, team player with good management skills
  • Leadership Skills

Clinical Experience

Essential

  • Excellent all round experience of DGH work
  • Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Anaesthetics and Advanced Airway management skills
  • Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision

Desirable

  • Experience in General Medicine
  • A period of specialist training in Preassessment

Clinical Governance

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance.

Clinical Effectiveness

Essential

  • Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD.
  • Experience of guideline appraisal
  • Participation in relevant local audits
  • Ability to interpret and apply clinical research

Desirable

  • Participation in relevant national audits

Personnel Circumstances

Essential

  • Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies.
  • Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance
  • Satisfactory DBS clearance

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Locum Consultant in Anaesthetics, interest in Pre-Operative Assessment with Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Luton, East of England, England. It is listed as a Consultant Medical doctor Anaesthesia and Intensive Care role. The advertised salary is £113,565 - £150,569 per annum. The contract type is Fixed term: 12 months (10 PA's). The application deadline is 02 Aug 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (20 Jul 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

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