Locum Consultant in Plastic Surgery with a Specialist Interest in Cleft Lip and Palate

Job details

• Branch: Belfast Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: Ulster Hospital, Dundonald.
• Directorate: Hospital Services
• Functional Area: Plastic Surgery
• Salary: (See job details)
• Contract Type: Temporary
• Opening Date: 18/05/26
• Closes: Fri, 12 June 2026 @ 12:00 PM

Notes

Temporary contract for 1 year

JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Locum Consultant in Plastic Surgery with a specialist interest in Cleft Lip and Palate

DIRECTORATE: Surgery, Elective, Maternity & Paediatrics

LOCATION: South Eastern Trust and Belfast Trust

REPORTS TO: Clinical Director for Regional Plastic Surgery and Burns

RESPONSIBLE TO: Medical Director

JOB SUMMARY

This is a full time locum post for 1 year in the first instance, for the Single Integrated Plastic Surgery Service of N.I. It will be based at RBHSC with sessions at the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, the Royal Victoria Hospital and other sites as required, for clinical activity relevant to patients with Plastic Surgery related conditions. The post-holder will provide support to the Cleft lip and Palate service.

The applicant should have experience and a special interest in the management of Cleft Lip and Palate.

The successful applicant will be required to attend clinical sessions within the Trusts and any other clinical activity relevant to patients with plastic surgery related conditions may take place at other hospitals.

This is a full time post, however applications from practitioners who wish to contract for a reduced number of planned activities, or on a job share basis are welcome.

Profile of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust (SET) is an Investors in People (IIP) accredited organisation, employing approximately 12,500 Staff.

It is an integrated Trust, incorporating acute hospital services, community health and social services. The Trust serves a population of 440,000 people and covers a wide geographical area from Bangor in the north, Portaferry in the East, to Newcastle in the South and Moira in the West. The 5 main hospital bases are the Ulster, Lagan Valley, Ards, Downe and Bangor Community Hospitals.

The Ulster Hospital

The Ulster Hospital is the major acute hospital for the Trust and delivers the full range of acute services for the population. This includes a type 1 Emergency Department which is open 24/7 (23/24 ~135k new & unplanned attendances).), a comprehensive range of diagnostic services, the full range of outpatient, inpatient and daycase medical and surgical services, cancer care, coronary care, obstetrics, paediatric services and a psychiatric inpatient unit. The regional Plastic and Maxillo-Facial services are mainly delivered from the Ulster site.

The Ulster Hospital has undergone significant redevelopment with the building of a permanent renal unit, new maternity hospital, a new inpatient ward block and most recently an acute services ward block recently opened to add to, a new theatre block and Critical Care Complex that opened in November 2010.

The new inpatient ward block was opened in February 2017 with 288 single en-suite rooms, 4 day surgery theatres and 3 endoscopy rooms.

The Acute Services Ward Block (ASB) is also now operational. It includes 213 single en-suite rooms, a new x-ray department including additional CT, MRI and Nuclear medicine. The new Emergency Department, which completes the final stage of the £280m Phase B redevelopment project, opened on the 6 September 2023.

The Ulster Hospital is a major teaching hospital associated with Queens University of Belfast and with the Ulster University. The library is linked to Queens University Medical Library and comprehensive on-line search facilities and other resources are provided through library connections. Facilities for Med-line and Cochrane Database are also available. Research opportunities are also being developed, particularly in the field of bronchiectasis, lung cancer and health related technology.

Lagan Valley Hospital

Lagan Valley Hospital is located in the city of Lisburn. It is a 30-minute commute from the Ulster Hospital. It is situated close the M1 motorway, with easy access from Belfast. The Emergency Department team operate an Urgent Care Centre, which is a phone first system (appointment only), Monday to Friday from 8am-6pm (closed at weekends).

The hospital also has 84 inpatient medical beds, maternity services via Midwifery led Unit, inpatient medical services as well as outpatient, diagnostic, day-case services for the local population

The Downe Hospital

The Downe Hospital is located in the culturally historic town of Downpatrick, a 40-minute commute from the Ulster Hospital. The hospital operates a phone-first (appointment only) Urgent Care Centre, operated by the Emergency Department Team. The Urgent Care Centre is open 8am-6pm Monday-Friday. There is also a Minor Injury Service on Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm.

The hospital has 48 inpatient beds for a range of medical conditions based across 2 wards. Ward 1 is focused on acute frailty in older people and rehabilitation led by consultant geriatricians. Ward 2 is a general medical unit led by physicians who have a special interest in endocrine medicine. The Downe provides the Trust wide Bowel Screening Service and Sexual Health Service, as well as a range of outpatient, diagnostics and day-case services, such as cataract surgery. Two Primary Care practices are located on the first floor, along with community and dental services

Ards Hospital

Ards Community Hospital provides a comprehensive range of health, primary and social care services, including a Minor Injuries Unit, X-Ray Department, GP Ward, Outpatients Department and GP Out of Hours services. The Trust’s breast screening service is delivered from a new building on the site.

Bangor Community Hospital

Bangor Community Hospital provides a range of health, social and primary care services, including an Outpatients Department, a Therapy & Rehabilitation Centre, and an X-Ray Department. Gynaecology outpatients and urogynaecology clinics are held on this site. The continence service for the area is based in Bangor Hospital and urodynamic studies are performed on an outpatients basis.

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

The Plastic Surgical specialty is part of the Surgery Sub- Directorate, which comprises General Surgery, Urology, Maxillo Facial Surgery, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Anaesthetics, Theatres and Intensive Care

The Senior Management Team for Plastic Surgery comprises

Mr A Brown, Clinical Director for Regional Service

Mr H Lewis, Clinical Lead (South Eastern Trust)

Mrs Katharine Dane, Assistant Director

Mrs Lydia James, Business Manager

Mrs Julie McClughan Clinical Manager, Surgery

Mrs Elaine Edwards, Clinical Manager, Surgical Specialties

The appointees will be expected to work with professional colleagues and local managers in the efficient running of clinical services, and will share with his/her consultant colleagues in the medical contribution to management.

Plastic Surgery services in N. Ireland.

Provision of services will take place predominantly on the South Eastern and Belfast Trust sites as part of the Single Integrated Service.

Within South Eastern Trust: these are provided in the Ulster, Lagan Valley, and Ards Hospitals.

The Ulster Hospital - The Plastic Surgery Unit comprises one adult ward within the new inpatient ward block, which provides a total of 24 beds for inpatients who require inpatient care, elective or emergency surgery. The Maxillofacial service also accesses these surgical beds.

There is also a children’s ward for children who require inpatient care, elective or emergency surgery. There is also provision of facilities for Children’s Out-patients.

A new Plastics Trauma facility opened in 2021 in the Ulster Hospital. Patients are assessed and managed in a dedicated environment, including any required operative intervention.

Ards Hospital –Plastic Surgery provides an outpatient service in the Ards Hospital site.

Plastic Surgery Emergency Service

Emergency service provision within Plastic Surgery includes a Consultant of the Week model where normal commitments are replaced with consultant of the week duties. Consultants are required to lead the morning handover / ward round and manage the daily hand and other trauma during the day, throughout the week (8am to 6pm). There is a night time and weekend ‘out of hours’ rota to which all contribute which covers SE Trust and Belfast Trust sites. This is a Consultant delivered service that provides a high level of supervision / training and also standard of care to patients. The provision of facilities for trauma has recently been enhanced, with a dedicated facility for provision of a very efficient service of a high standard to both adults and children alike.

PROFILE OF THE BELFAST HEALTH CARE TRUST

The Royal Hospitals is the largest hospital complex in Northern Ireland, comprising the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital (RJMH), the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) and the School of Dentistry.

The Regional Burns Unit is a 8-bedded unit, is sited in the Royal Victoria Hospital, for the treatment of adult plastic surgery and burns patients. This unit has a dedicated operating theatre.

Paediatric burns and some other children’s plastic surgery services are managed within the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC)with access to inpatients, main theatres, the day surgery unit and to the Intensive Care Unit, which is immediately adjacent to the theatres. Outpatients are seen in the Children’s Hospital.

Medical Staff

Consultant Staff: There are currently 15 W.T.E in post for the Plastic Surgery Service in N.I.

Speciality Doctors: 5

At present the Resident Doctor complement is

9 Speciality Trainee posts

5 Core trainees

KEY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a full time post with sessions at the Ulster hospital and Belfast Trust sites. It is essential that the post holder is committed to working alongside Plastic Surgical colleagues in order to maintain, support and enhance the service between the SE Trust and Belfast Trust hospitals. Although the Ulster hospital is the main centre of clinical activity for the provision of Regional Plastic Surgical services, there is a requirement to provide planned activities on other hospital sites..

The post holder must be willing to progress developments or quality initiatives agreed by the Directorate, and to regularly attend and participate in Directorate and audit meetings (which is a contractual requirement).

Clinical

The post holder will be expected to

Provide a Plastic Surgery Service for emergency, elective surgery and outpatient clinics in conjunction with other Consultant colleagues and the multidisciplinary teams.

Develop the Cleft Lip and Palate service in conjunction with plastic surgery colleagues and other disciplines.

Provide professional advice and service for Plastic Surgery Service to patients and clinical colleagues within The Ulster Hospital, Belfast Trust and other Hospitals and Trusts to which Plastic Surgery services are provided.

The appointee will participate as a member of the current on-call rota with consultant colleagues for the Single Integrated Plastic Surgery Service of N.Ireland. They will contribute to the current Consultant of the Week model. They will be required to have the necessary skills to manage and treat all hand trauma and other trauma cases. This provides a Consultant delivered Trauma Service with close supervision of trainee staff.

The appointee, in conjunction with other Plastic Surgeons, will be required to provide professional supervision, management and training of Resident Doctors in Plastic Surgery.

The appointee will assist in the delivery and integration of teaching and research at undergraduate and postgraduate level, by undertaking such specific teaching and examining duties as may be appropriate.

The post-holder will be expected to comply with the Trust’s arrangements for undergoing clinical appraisal.

Research

Research activities which are an inherent part of normal clinical duties will be encouraged. The appointee will be encouraged to develop research in conjunction with colleagues in the department.

Audit

Continuing clinical audit is a requirement for Appraisal and Revalidation and the post-holder will be expected to take an active part in audit projects within his/her areas of expertise. The department has monthly audit meetings attended by all medical staff. Involvement of other medical and non-medical disciplines in audit is encouraged. The appointee will participate in research, clinical audit and quality assurance programmes as appropriate to the needs and interests of the Plastic Surgery service and relevant to or required for the Cleft Lip and Palate Service.

The Trust’s audit department can provide expertise on audit design, give practical support with data collection and advice on presentation of findings.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The Trust supports the requirements for CPD as laid down by the GMC and surgical colleges and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.

Revalidation

The Trust has the required arrangements in place to ensure that all surgeons have an annual appraisal with a trained appraiser and supports the surgeons going through the revalidation process.

Administration

Administrative duties, including those associated with care of patients and contributing to the management of the Unit will be part of this post.

Support and office facilities

Secretarial and clerical support is provided; as are shared offices, to which all consultants in the department have equal access.

Clinical Governance

The appointee will be expected to participate in all aspects of the Clinical Governance structures developed by the Trust to monitor, maintain and develop quality and effectiveness of care. As indicated above, this will include involvement in Audit and Appraisal. As part of the latter, meeting requirements for continuing medical education and attention to continuing professional development will be required.

Teaching & Quality Improvement

The Ulster Hospital is a major teaching hospital that receives a large number of medical students. It is affiliated with the Queen's University Belfast and the Ulster University. The successful candidate may in time play a formal active role in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Similarly, formalized supervision of resident doctors in time may be available, and would be implemented by NIMDTA via programme directors and college tutors. If roles incorporating teaching and or supervision of resident doctors are agreed with the post-holder, the job plan will be reviewed and adjusted accordingly.

The Innovation, Research and Development (IRD) department offers a comprehensive service designed to support research activity within the Trust. The IRD office can assist with new research proposals by helping to secure approvals from regulatory authorities and providing support during the course of the project.

The Trust has established a Quality Improvement Academy to support staff with quality improvement and innovation work.

Job Plan

The below job plan is indicative and subject to change. It represents the proposed clinical sessions that the service requires to be filled. The allocation of these sessions is open to adjustment depending upon the interests and experience of the individual appointee. There is a degree of flexibility within the weekly timetable. If required to work at a different site this will be factored into the PA allocation/ job plan of the successful applicant. It will also be subject to regular review (within 3 months in the first instance and no less than annually thereafter) to ensure that the allocation of PA’s, and in particular the split between DCC and SPA’s remains appropriate. Any changes will be made with agreement between the post holder and clinical management.

The successful candidates will be offered a 10pa contract. The successful candidate may be offered the opportunity to take additional PAs if required by the service.

The post holder will be expected to work with flexibility and within the multidisciplinary team as required and to demonstrate ability to work closely with colleagues.

The successful candidate will have inpatient operating theatre time on BT and UHD sites. There needs to be reasonable flexibility with provision of this aspect of the service due to circumstances that may arise or service needs. These sessions are not fixed on a weekly basis, as there is a Consultant of the week model in place for Plastic Surgery.

The successful candidate would be expected to supervise and teach trainees to the extent outlined by the GMC within the allocated DCCs and PAs.

There is currently a 1 in 14 on call component to the job plan. This is non-resident. Successful applicants are expected to be able to reach the Ulster hospital and respective Belfast Trust hospitals within a reasonable time when on call.

Travelling between sites is recognised in the allocation of PA’s. When off site, responsibility for the care of the consultant’s patients rest with the relevant senior member of staff on site.

The proposed job plan will comprise of the following

Inpatient operating sessions within a team structure which will include Cleft Lip and Palate. The post holder will be expected to work effectively and flexibly in a multidisciplinary environment. They will need to work with other surgeons in respective teams for cases where we support a two consultant operating model, as required.

Participation in relevant MDT’s

Outpatient clinics

Specialist clinics as required.

On-call commitment

Participation in the Consultant of the Week model

SPA

Administration

Day

Time

Location

Work

Category

No of PAs

Monday

0900 – 1300

1300 - 1700

RBHSC / flexible

Admin

SPA

DCC

SPA

1

Tuesday

0730 – 1330

2 out of 3 weeks

1330 – 1730

UHD

Theatre (inc pre and post-op)

Outpatients

DCC

1

Wednesday

0800 – 1800

RBHSC

Theatre (inc pre and post-op)

DCC

2.5

Thursday

0900 – 1300

1300 - 1400

1400 – 1600

Alt weeks

1400 – 1800

Alt weeks

RBHSC

Outpatients

Cleft MDM

Palate investigation / specialist clinics

SPA

DCC

SPA

1

0.25

0.5

Friday

On call

DCC

1

COTW

DCC

0.25

flexible

Prep for MDMs

DCC

0.25

TOTAL PA’s

10

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

These posts are subject to the National Terms and Conditions of Service for Consultants (2004) and updated 2013.

Remuneration: As per the current salary scale under National Terms and Conditions of Service for Hospital staff as updated via DOH circular on rates of pay, the most recent HSC (TC8) 05/2025 with effect from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 and all uplifts thereafter.

This full-time locum appointment will be for 10 PAs per week.

Annual leave entitlement on appointment is 32 days for full time staff (10PAs).

After 7 years completed consultant service increases to 34 days for full time staff (10PAs). There are 10 general public holidays.

The appointee will maintain registration through Revalidation with the General Medical Council (London) and hold a valid Licence to Practice.

Appointees are required to participate in Consultant Appraisal and Annual Job Planning processes in accordance with DHSS&PS requirements.

The Trust supports the requirements for CME/CPD as laid down by the GMC and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.

In order to meet the on-call requirements of the post, the appointees are required to reside within a reasonable distance to their principal place of work, as per terms and conditions of service, and must be contactable by telephone.

Training for clinical appraisal is provided by the Trust and the appointee will be encouraged to undertake such training. Annual appraisal is carried out by a nominated trained appraiser, normally from within the Trust. Issues arising from such an appraisal will be constructively discussed with the appraiser initially, and if necessary with the Medical Director

Arrangements are in place for mentoring within the Surgical Directorate.

General Responsibilities

All employees are required to comply with the procedures, policies and codes of practice within the Trust.

Indemnity

Employees are normally covered by the HPSS and Community Health Service Indemnity against claims for medical negligence. However, certain circumstances may not be covered by the Indemnity, especially where a separate fee is received. The Department of Health, Social Services & Public Safety (DHSS&PS) therefore advises that membership of a medical defence organisation is maintained.

Equality

The Trust is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community irrespective of their religious belief, political opinion, race, gender, marital status, dependants, age, sexual orientation or disability.

All staff are required to comply with the Trusts policy on Equality of Opportunity and ensure it is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Superannuation

These posts will be superannuable unless the successful candidate decides to opt out of the scheme or is ineligible to join, and the remuneration will be subject to deduction of superannuation contributions in accordance with the Health Services Superannuation Scheme. There is reciprocity between the Northern Ireland Scheme and that in Great Britain.

Health & Safety

All employees must fully comply with the Trust’s various Health and Safety Policies and Procedures and Practices including relevant legislation and Codes of Practice.

Conduct

Staff must maintain high standards of personal accountability and abide by the Code of Business Conduct.

Members of staff are expected at all times to provide a caring service and to treat those whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.

Performance

Employees are expected to demonstrate commitment to the Trust by ensuring regular attendance at work and the efficient discharge of their duties.

Raising Concerns

All employees will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

All employees will ensure that they take any concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust’s Raising Concerns Policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

Records Management

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the Trust’s policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trust’s Environmental Cleaning Strategy, recognises the key principle that “Cleanliness Matters. It is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners”. Whilst there are staff employed by the Trust who are responsible for cleaning services, all staff employed by the Trust have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable and safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention & Control

All Staff should co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control. All staff should be aware of the Trust’s Infection Prevention & Control strategy and their local reduction of infection plan and know their role, in keeping with key principle Infection Prevention and Control is everyone’s business.

Staff, in delivery of all care must:-

Wash their hands thoroughly between each patient contact.

Be compliant with Standard Infection Control Precautions, Hand Hygiene and decontamination and other relevant infection prevention and control measures.

Be aware of the Infection Control guidance within the Trust’s Infection Control

Manual and ensure they obtain mandatory Infection prevention control training or other specific infection control related training as required.

Hygiene & Prevention of Infection

You will at all times be required to observe hygiene/infection prevention & control standards and notices in operation throughout the Trust. Hygiene and control of -infection are key elements in delivery of safe, quality services and you will, in certain jobs, be required to undertake an appropriate training course at the expense of the Trust.

Personal Public involvement

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients and their families in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s Personal Public Involvement (PPI) Strategy.

Trust Policies/Codes of Conduct

Staff must adhere at all times to all Trust policies/Codes of Conduct, including for example:

Smoke Free Policy

IT security Policy and Code of Conduct

Standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Location

Please note that it is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to

work at any location within the Trust’s area, as needs of the service demand.

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the duties involved in the post and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust; consequently an employee may be required to perform other duties appropriate to the post as assigned to them.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE: Locum Consultant in Plastic Surgery with a specialist interest in Cleft Lip and Palate

DEPARTMENT: Surgery, Ulster Hospital

Ref No: <to be inserted by HR> DATE

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/

Experience

Eligible for full GMC registration with Licence to Practice.

Entry on the GMC specialist register for Plastic Surgery via

CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of date of interview

Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR)

Fellowship dedicated to management of Cleft Lip and palate

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. 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.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Personal Skills / Abilities

Ability to identify priorities in clinical care

Ability to work well within a multidisciplinary team

Ability to lead and engender high standards of care.

Willingness to work flexibly as part of a team.

Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Interview

Knowledge and Interests

Extensive experience and ability to manage patients with Cleft Lip and palate.

Evidence of wide-ranging clinical experience & competencies in Plastic Surgery

Knowledge of evidence based approach to clinical care.