South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Consultant in Ophthalmology (Paediatric & Strabismus)

The closing date is 12 November 2025

Job summary

There are so many reasons to join our team at Sunderland Eye Infirmary. Aside from our fantastic staff, we have lots of exciting things going on. Our new Eye Hospital is planned to open in Sunderland in Summer 2026. The new hospital means Sunderland will remain home to the regions only dedicated standalone eye hospital. It will strengthen our excellent reputation across the NHS, both regionally and nationally as a centre of excellence for ophthalmology care.

As one of the few specialist eye hospitals in the country, research and using developing technology is a key part of our work. We encourage innovation and research in everything we do. There is always something to get involved in. If you share our vision for 'excellence in all that we do', wed love you to join us!

We are seeking an individual to join us a Consultant Ophthalmologist with specialist interest in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. The Post is offered full-time with an indicative 10 PA Job Plan. You will join a team of 24 consultants and the Post will be predominantly worked from Sunderland Eye Infirmary (SEI) with some requirement for delivery of peripheral clinics in Durham, Hartlepool and South Tyneside.

Proposed interview date: 08.12.25

Main duties of the job

You will hold FRCOphth qualification or equivalent and ideally have spent a substantial period of time in sub-specialist training (i.e one year Fellowship prior to taking-up Post), with at least some of this in an Internationally-recognised centre.

Overall Responsibilities

Support the current Consultants in keeping within the Trust targets for new patients and to continue to achieve 18 weeks RTT.

To support the current Consultants in keeping within the NPSA Directive for review patients (http://www.npsa.nhs.uk/corporate/news/delayed-appointments-can-lead-to-blindness-npsa-report/) avoiding cancelled follow-ups.

To maintain the high levels of patient satisfaction in the Unit by helping to provide a Consultant-led service.

To support the current Consultants in the medical and surgical management of Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. To audit outcomes and compare to the standards currently being set.

To help with teaching and training of junior doctors, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses and medical students.

To actively-participate in service development within the sub-speciality and across entire Ophthalmology unit.

Informal enquiries welcome; contact: Mr Ajay Kotagiri, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Clinical Director for Ophthalmology on 0191 569 9954 or Ajay.Kotagiri@nhs.net or Mr Lawrence Gnanaraj, Consultant Ophthalmologist (Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus), via lawrence.gnanaraj@nhs.net

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Date posted

05 November 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

C9155-OPMD-1125-02

Job locations

Sunderland Eye Infirmary

Queen Alexandra Road

Sunderland

SR2 9HP

Durham Treatment Centre

Belmont Industrial Estate

Durham

DH1 1HP

South Tyneside Nhs Foundation Trust

Harton Lane

South Shields

Tyne And Wear

NE34 0PL

Job description

Job responsibilities

Support the current Consultants in keeping within the Trust targets for new patients and to continue to achieve 18 weeks RTT.

PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Support the current Consultants in keeping within the Trust targets for new patients and to continue to achieve 18 weeks RTT.

PLEASE REFER TO ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Primary medical qualification.
Full GMC registration.
Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register or eligibility for entry within six months of the date of the AAC [there is flexibility with the six-month period with Executive Medical Director approval].

Audit and Research

Essential

Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical practice.
Involvement in quality improvement measures.
Ability to undertake multi-disciplinary audit / audit in specialty area.
Good presentation skills.
Experience of clinical research.

Desirable

Undertaken research with published papers in refereed journals.

Other

Desirable

Please provide a contact telephone number.

Experience

Essential

Full general Ophthalmic surgical training with extensive experience and expertise in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.
Understanding of the NHS, Clinical Governance process and resource issues.
Evidence of organisational, management and time-management skills.
Develop and operationalise coherent ideas for service development/delivery.

Desirable

Fellowship level in paediatric ophthalmology.
Evidence of management and administration experience and understanding management goals.
Management course and / or Certificate.

Personal Attributes

Essential

Alignment with the Trust core values and behaviours.
Flexible approach to service delivery and committed approach to development.
Committed to share in professional, managerial and teaching responsibilities necessary to fulfil the obligations of the Directorate, to the Trust and its workforce.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives and healthcare workers and other agencies.
Evidence of understanding of, and adherence to, principles of Good Medical Practice set out by the GMC.

Teaching and Education

Essential

Experience of supervising junior medical staff.
Experience of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
Ability to teach clinical / technical / practical skills.

Desirable

Qualification in medical education.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Primary medical qualification.
Full GMC registration.
Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register or eligibility for entry within six months of the date of the AAC [there is flexibility with the six-month period with Executive Medical Director approval].

Audit and Research

Essential

Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical practice.
Involvement in quality improvement measures.
Ability to undertake multi-disciplinary audit / audit in specialty area.
Good presentation skills.
Experience of clinical research.

Desirable

Undertaken research with published papers in refereed journals.

Other

Desirable

Please provide a contact telephone number.

Experience

Essential

Full general Ophthalmic surgical training with extensive experience and expertise in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus.
Understanding of the NHS, Clinical Governance process and resource issues.
Evidence of organisational, management and time-management skills.
Develop and operationalise coherent ideas for service development/delivery.

Desirable

Fellowship level in paediatric ophthalmology.
Evidence of management and administration experience and understanding management goals.
Management course and / or Certificate.

Personal Attributes

Essential

Alignment with the Trust core values and behaviours.
Flexible approach to service delivery and committed approach to development.
Committed to share in professional, managerial and teaching responsibilities necessary to fulfil the obligations of the Directorate, to the Trust and its workforce.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives and healthcare workers and other agencies.
Evidence of understanding of, and adherence to, principles of Good Medical Practice set out by the GMC.

Teaching and Education

Essential

Experience of supervising junior medical staff.
Experience of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
Ability to teach clinical / technical / practical skills.

Desirable

Qualification in medical education.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.