Consultants in Laparoscopic & Robotic Colorectal Surgery

Job responsibilities

There are 10 Consultant GI Surgeons and 3 Consultant Breast Surgeons together with Specialist Registrars, Core Surgical Trainees and Foundation Trainees. The department provides a wide range of in-patient and day case procedures and provides emergency and elective general surgery services as well as subspecialty services in Colorectal, Breast and benign Upper GI.

The department has an excellent reputation for laparoscopic surgery. The laparoscopic approach is routine for appendicectomy and cholecystectomy (both elective and emergency) and both TAPP and TEPP hernia inguinal hernia repairs are performed. Approximately 70% of colorectal resections are laparoscopic. There is a well-established complex abdominal wall reconstruction (CAWR) service performing advanced reconstruction of complex / giant incisional hernia and laparostomy management.

The Trust has invested over £2 million to install a dual console Da Vinci Xi surgical robot in March 2026 and to train current colorectal and gynaecological surgeons. The plan is for most colorectal resection, complex endometriosis surgery and complex abdominal wall reconstructions to move towards a robotic approach during the course of 2026. These two posts are specifically designed to support that progression and an interest in endometriosis surgery and/or abdominal wall reconstruction is desirable in addition to robotic surgical training.

Other Medical Staff

The departments work is supported by three full tiers of non-consultant staff including one Associate Specialist and four Specialty Doctors. We have both higher specialist training, core training posts and have a highly successful Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) training programme that support up to Core Trainee level rotas.

Other Support Staff

These posts are supported by secretarial and office support and organisationally by a departmental service support manager and the general surgery service manager. There are 3.5 WTE colorectal nurse specialists, a stoma care healthcare support worker and a Macmillan cancer support worker providing colorectal cancer link-worker function, the ongoing nurse-led follow up clinics as well as providing a valuable resource to manage stoma-related problems.

Acute Surgical Unit

The Acute Surgical Unit has bespoke assessment facilities aimed at maximising our Same Day Emergency Care pathways for surgical patients. A senior surgical assessor, separate to the on-call team, reviews patients on presentation and integral ultrasound assessments speeds diagnosis. It has reduced non-elective admissions and reduced length of stay.

COLORECTAL SURGERY

The department has a benign transanal microsurgery service, works closely with the gynaecological surgeons within their accredited endometriosis surgery service, which is recognised by the BSGE Endometriosis Centre, and routinely performs both VAAFT and EpSIT. One colleague has a specific interest in complex abdominal wall reconstruction and receives referrals from a wide geographic area. It is planned that the successful candidates will contribute to all of these advanced services.

The department has previously invested heavily in its laparoscopic service and approximately three-quarters of all colorectal resections are performed laparoscopically.

The service is supported by three colorectal nurse specialists and a specialist functional bowel disorder nurse who also performs endoanal ultrasound and anorectal physiology. All colorectal resections undergo cardiopulmonary exercise testing prior to surgery and a successful pre-habilitation programme is available.

The Trusts endoscopy department has five procedure rooms and is currently undergoing improvements following a £2million investment and ongoing upgrade of equipment.

The Post

The post holders will provide general surgical and specialist colorectal services in Rotherham in conjunction with colleagues. They will be expected to be proficient in laparoscopic and robotic colorectal resection for both benign and malignant diseases including low rectal cancer, the management of anorectal pathology and functional bowel disorders, as well being able to manage an unselected acute surgical take including acute upper GI emergencies and HPB emergencies. Subspecialty interests such as pelvic floor dysfunction, inflammatory bowel disease or enteral nutrition can be accommodated.

The post-holders will be expected to be able to undertake independent colonoscopy lists; skills in gastroscopy would be advantageous.

The transition to Consultant practice is recognised to be an often difficult and stressful time and the department is happy to provide a period of mentoring and support for a new Consultant colleague. There is an increasing emphasis on dual consultant operating for complex cases. There is a flexible and forward-thinking day surgery team and the department has a successful enhanced recovery programme.

The post-holders will be expected to contribute to the training of the Specialty Registrars who rotate through the Yorkshire and Humberside Training Rotation.

In addition, the post-holders will work collaboratively with the Departmental and Divisional Senior Teams, to take an active role in the management of the Care Group, including any other duties as deemed appropriate. In addition, to observe the Trusts agreed policies and procedures, in particular relating to managing staff, follow the Trusts guidelines and Financial Instructions. These policies and procedures have been drawn up in consultation with the profession for clinical matters and will ensure that there are adequate arrangements in place for hospital staff to contact them as necessary in relation to patient care.

TIMETABLE

These are 12PA jobs. There will be planned operating with a minimum of three all day lists per month, outpatient clinics, colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease MDTs and endoscopy on a rotating system with on call. This role will contribute to the Acute Surgical Unit assessor rota for one day per ten-week rota cycle. Dual consultant operating for most low rectal surgery is encouraged.

ON-CALL

The on-call commitment is through a rolling rota with prospective cover: no Direct Clinical Care activities are scheduled for the afternoon following an on-call. This commitment is non-resident but the post-holder will be expected to attend morning handover and perform an evening ward round of the daytime admissions to comply with NHS Englands Seven Day Services Clinical Standards and be promptly available throughout the on call period.

A purpose built Acute Surgical Unit houses our SDEC (Same Day Emergency Care) ambulatory unit with a dedicated ultra-sonographer and our short stay emergency ward. A separate rota to the on-call provides senior decision making as the assessor on SDEC assessment which runs Monday to Thursday from 8:00 20:00 and Friday to Sunday from 10:00 18:00 and these posts will contribute to that rota for one day per rota cycle. In addition to the CEPOD emergency list, three Hot Lap Chole lists run each week performed by the UGI team.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The successful candidates will have access to all resources currently available in the Trust. This will involve Library and Knowledge Services, e-learning resources, Clinical Skills Training programmes, simulation training and other opportunities.

Consultant mentorship is available for the successful candidate.

It is anticipated that the successful candidates will become both clinical and educational supervisors.

Applications to the University of Sheffield for Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer Status will be supported.

Leadership*

Essential

• An understanding of and ability to demonstrate your ability to: Empower others, Lead through change, Influence strategically, Collaborative working, Drive for improvement and Integrity

Research and Audit

Essential

• Relevant research published in peer review journal
• Evidence of audit and the implementation of change following the audit

Desirable

• Clear commitment to research, audit or quality improvement with a track record of success

Clinical skills

Essential

• Specific skills required to undertake the role above those required by the GMC standards.
• Committed to continual learning.

Desirable

• JAG
• Accreditation in colonoscopy +/- UGI endoscopy

Management Skills

Essential

• Demonstrate effective team working skills
• Time management and organisational ability. An example may be they have developed and run training programmes.
• Proven knowledge of systems
• and process of NHS or equivalent
• Sense of understanding and commitment to corporate responsibility
• Commitment to and understanding of their responsibility to the organisation. Examples may include previous involvement in management roles, management courses
• Personal integrity and reliability
• Flexible, resilient and able to cope with pressure

Desirable

• Knowledge of the utilisation of IT in clinical practice

Experience

Essential

• Independent in advanced laparoscopic practice including rectal resection
• Completion of a recognised robotic surgical training scheme
• Interest & experience in either complex endometriosis surgery or abdominal wall reconstruction
• Ability to manage an acute unselected general surgical take

Desirable

• Subspecialty training
• Post CCT fellowship or equivalent

Education and Teaching

Essential

• Experience of and commitment to teaching, mentoring and developing undergraduates and postgraduates.

Desirable

• Willingness to develop new approaches to teaching.
• Qualification in education

Qualifications

Essential

• Full registration and a licence to practise with the GMC.
• Please confirm your GMC number
• Eligible to be included on the Specialist register - CCT expected within 6 months of interview date
• Or
• Evidence of CESR application submission and within 6 months of obtaining Specialist Registration via CESR
• MBBS or equivalent primary medical qualification.
• FRCS specialist qualification or equivalent

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).