Job summary
A Fixed Term Consultant post in Obstetrics and Gynecology to join the existing team of Consultants at West Suffolk Hospital is required. The duties would include involvement in the general on-call arrangements. This is a Locum Post for 1 year to cover long term Leave.
The post holder should be fully registered with the General Medical Council, hold a Licence to Practise and be on the GMC's Specialist Register or be within 6 months of gaining the Certificate of Completion of Training at the time of interview.
West Suffolk Hospital is a University of Cambridge Teaching Hospital foundation Trust and is a busy and popular hospital. It is run by a forward-thinking Trust, which has achieved foundation status.
Please See Full Job Description attached for details.
Please note that the fixed-term contract will end on 19th February 2026. Start date is as soon as possible.
Main duties of the job
o Maintenance of the highest clinical standards in the management of all obstetric and gynaecology patients
o To share with colleague's responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department.
o To take up the role of Audit lead for the department.
o Teaching and training of junior medical staff, nursing staff, and medical students.
o To actively participate in both departmental and Trust matters concerning Quality and Service Improvement, Clinical Governance and Audit
o To have responsibility for ensuring active participation in continuing professional development (CPD)
The post will enable the Trust to maintain a full range of services within the department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology and will need an applicant who can work within the obstetric and gynaecology team.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
The maternity service at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is evolving. Currently responsible for the care of approximately 2300 births each year, the service offers choice of care pathway, lead professional and place of birth to women primarily living in the Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Thetford, Sudbury, Haverhill and surrounding areas.
The unit consists of a labour suite with 7 ensuite delivery rooms, one of which contains a birthing pool; a room designated for high-dependency and post-operative care; and a dedicated bereavement suite. There is direct access to the obstetric theatre, neonatal unit and co-located midwifery birthing unit. Dr Christine Kubitzek is the Obstetric Anaesthetic Lead Consultant working alongside 6 other anaesthetists. There is one large 30 bedded antenatal/postnatal ward area that includes a neonatal transitional care bay co-located to the triage and maternity day assessment unit areas.
The departmental outpatient area includes a Colposcopy Suite, consulting rooms and the ultrasound department. Consultant-led antenatal clinics are held at the West Suffolk Hospital where there are full ultrasound services including Doppler assessment of high-risk pregnancies, with peripheral antenatal clinics at Newmarket and Thetford.
The Gynaecology ward, Gynae Assessment Unit, Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit and termination of pregnancy services are based on F14 ward. Gynaecological outpatient services are currently based at the West Suffolk Hospital, Thetford, Newmarket and Sudbury. All operating lists take place at the West Suffolk Hospital, in main eight theatre complex and purpose-built day surgery unit with 5 theatres.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The maternity service at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is evolving. Currently responsible for the care of approximately 2300 births each year, the service offers choice of care pathway, lead professional and place of birth to women primarily living in the Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Thetford, Sudbury, Haverhill and surrounding areas.
The unit consists of a labour suite with 7 ensuite delivery rooms, one of which contains a birthing pool; a room designated for high-dependency and post-operative care; and a dedicated bereavement suite. There is direct access to the obstetric theatre, neonatal unit and co-located midwifery birthing unit. Dr Christine Kubitzek is the Obstetric Anaesthetic Lead Consultant working alongside 6 other anaesthetists. There is one large 30 bedded antenatal/postnatal ward area that includes a neonatal transitional care bay co-located to the triage and maternity day assessment unit areas.
The departmental outpatient area includes a Colposcopy Suite, consulting rooms and the ultrasound department. Consultant-led antenatal clinics are held at the West Suffolk Hospital where there are full ultrasound services including Doppler assessment of high-risk pregnancies, with peripheral antenatal clinics at Newmarket and Thetford.
The Gynaecology ward, Gynae Assessment Unit, Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit and termination of pregnancy services are based on F14 ward. Gynaecological outpatient services are currently based at the West Suffolk Hospital, Thetford, Newmarket and Sudbury. All operating lists take place at the West Suffolk Hospital, in main eight theatre complex and purpose-built day surgery unit with 5 theatres.
Person Specification
Previous Experience
Essential
- Clinical training and experience in general obstetrics and gynaecology equivalent to that required for a UK CCT
- Independent practice in major gynaecological surgery
- Minimal access surgery
- Evidence of fetal monitoring and PROMPT training
- Ability to manage gynaecological emergencies.
Desirable
- Ability to lead, manage and develop general and special interest services.
- Evidence of participation in service development
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- MRCOG or appropriate specialist qualification
- ATSM in benign abdominal surgery open and laparoscopic, or proven experience in such surgery
Desirable
- ATSM in Advanced Labour ward practice or equivalent
- Accreditation in colposcopy
- Entry on the GMC specialist register in Obstetrics & Gynaecology or be eligible for entry (within six months of attaining Certificate of Completion of Training) at the time of interview and hold a licence to practice
Clinical Governance
Essential
- Evidence of continuing participation in quality improvement, clinical governance and audit
Desirable
- Evidence of having undertaken audit work that has brought about change
Research
Essential
Desirable
- Experience of research
- Presentations at national and international meetings
Teaching and training experience
Essential
- Evidence of commitment to multidisciplinary teaching
- Experience of supervising junior medical staff
Desirable
- Formal training in medical education
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Energy and enthusiasm and an ability to work under pressure.
- Flexible attitude
- Able to co-operate with consultant colleagues to achieve the aims of the directorate and clinical governance.
- Committed to own professional development and be responsible for own revalidation.
- Committed to work within Trust policies.
- Honest and reliable
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, GPs, nurses and other agencies.
- Commitment to Continuing Medical Education and the requirements of Clinical Governance
- Applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues which could be demonstrated by one of the following that applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English. ? PLAB1 ? PLAB2 If applicants believe that they have adequate communication skills, but do not fit into one of the examples they need to provide evidence.
Desirable
- Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities.
- Computer skills
- Has own/current driving licence. Disabled candidates able to meet this requirement by other means, or following reasonable adjustments to the job description, will be considered.
Communication skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, clinical, scientific, technical and managerial colleagues.
- Ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken English.
Organisational skills
Essential
- Ability to organise work efficiently and effectively.
- A demonstrated ability to work flexibly in a team to share the clinical workload.
Desirable
- Evidence of developing innovative ways of delivering patient care
Management skills
Essential
- Ability to plan and develop the service. Willingness to participate in and lead a multidisciplinary team, balancing departmental and personal objectives.
Desirable
- Ability to exhibit leadership and management skills and participate in development within the directorate.
- Formal training in Leadership and Management
Person Specification
Previous Experience
Essential
- Clinical training and experience in general obstetrics and gynaecology equivalent to that required for a UK CCT
- Independent practice in major gynaecological surgery
- Minimal access surgery
- Evidence of fetal monitoring and PROMPT training
- Ability to manage gynaecological emergencies.
Desirable
- Ability to lead, manage and develop general and special interest services.
- Evidence of participation in service development
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- MRCOG or appropriate specialist qualification
- ATSM in benign abdominal surgery open and laparoscopic, or proven experience in such surgery
Desirable
- ATSM in Advanced Labour ward practice or equivalent
- Accreditation in colposcopy
- Entry on the GMC specialist register in Obstetrics & Gynaecology or be eligible for entry (within six months of attaining Certificate of Completion of Training) at the time of interview and hold a licence to practice
Clinical Governance
Essential
- Evidence of continuing participation in quality improvement, clinical governance and audit
Desirable
- Evidence of having undertaken audit work that has brought about change
Research
Essential
Desirable
- Experience of research
- Presentations at national and international meetings
Teaching and training experience
Essential
- Evidence of commitment to multidisciplinary teaching
- Experience of supervising junior medical staff
Desirable
- Formal training in medical education
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Energy and enthusiasm and an ability to work under pressure.
- Flexible attitude
- Able to co-operate with consultant colleagues to achieve the aims of the directorate and clinical governance.
- Committed to own professional development and be responsible for own revalidation.
- Committed to work within Trust policies.
- Honest and reliable
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, GPs, nurses and other agencies.
- Commitment to Continuing Medical Education and the requirements of Clinical Governance
- Applicants to have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English that are adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues which could be demonstrated by one of the following that applicants have undertaken undergraduate medical training in English. ? PLAB1 ? PLAB2 If applicants believe that they have adequate communication skills, but do not fit into one of the examples they need to provide evidence.
Desirable
- Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities.
- Computer skills
- Has own/current driving licence. Disabled candidates able to meet this requirement by other means, or following reasonable adjustments to the job description, will be considered.
Communication skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, clinical, scientific, technical and managerial colleagues.
- Ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken English.
Organisational skills
Essential
- Ability to organise work efficiently and effectively.
- A demonstrated ability to work flexibly in a team to share the clinical workload.
Desirable
- Evidence of developing innovative ways of delivering patient care
Management skills
Essential
- Ability to plan and develop the service. Willingness to participate in and lead a multidisciplinary team, balancing departmental and personal objectives.
Desirable
- Ability to exhibit leadership and management skills and participate in development within the directorate.
- Formal training in Leadership and Management
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
