Locum Consultant in Public Health

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

NHS Lothian

Reference : 249096

Locum Consultant in Public Health

Base: 102 West Port, Edinburgh EH3 9DN

Closing : 04/06/2026

NHS Lothian is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.

To this end, NHS Lothian welcomes applications from all sections of society.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

Applicants must have full GMC Registration, a license to practise and eligible for inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register. Those trained in the UK should have evidence of higher specialist training leading to CCT or be within 6 months of confirmed entry from the date of interview. Portfolio Pathway (formerly known as CESR - Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration) route doctors are only eligible to apply for a substantive consultant post once it has been awarded. Non-UK applicants must demonstrate equivalent training.

Applications are welcome for the above fixed term, one-year post. Secondments would be considered.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self‑motivated Consultant to join the Public Health and Health Policy Directorate on a one‑year fixed‑term basis. The post will ensure provision of strategic population health insight , with a focus on informing service redesign and improving delivery in priority areas as set out in the Operational Performance Improvement Plan

This role will support a collaboration between Public Health Scotland, and the Directors of Public Health, working closely with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, the Centre for Sustainable Delivery and Public Services Delivery Scotland. Together, this partnership aims to promote a population healthcare approach to support planning, service redesign and delivery of health and care in Scotland.

The successful candidate will play an important part in supporting NHS Scotland's ambition to become a Population Health Organisation (PHO). The role also champions whole-system collaboration, prevention, and decision-making that is focused on population health outcomes and value. The postholder will provide strategic leadership and expert specialist advice on healthcare public health issues, supporting partners to translate insight into practical action.

Using the principles of the Scottish Approach to Change, the postholder will integrate population evidence, population healthcare and improvement expertise, and clinical leadership to strengthen planning consistency, equity, and sustainability.

Candidates must be included in the GMC Full and Specialist Register with a license to practice, the GDC Specialist List, or the UK Public Health Register (UKPHR) for Public Health Specialists at the time of application. Public health specialty registrars not yet on the GMC Specialist Register, GDC Specialist List in dental public health or UKPHR must provide verifiable signed documentary evidence confirming that they are within six months of gaining entry by the date of interview.

This is an excellent opportunity for candidates who can provide strategic leadership, work collaboratively across organisations, promote a “health in all policies” approach and apply population health insight to real-world service challenges and redesign.

For an informal discussion please contact: Susan Webb, Director of Public Health and Health Policy. Email: susan.webb2@nhs.scot

If viewing from an external site, please visit https://apply.jobs.scot.nhs.uk for a job pack detailing the minimum requirements for this post and details of how to apply.

We cannot accept CV’s as a form of application and only a completed online application form will be accepted. Personal information will not be sent with the application for short listing. The application form will be identified by the candidate number only to ensure that all applicants are treated equally.

***PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept late applications so please ensure your application is submitted early***

Interview Date: 16/07/2026