King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Locum Consultant in Palliative Medicine

The closing date is 24 April 2026

Job summary

Consultant in Palliative Care

Fixed term contract 12 months (maternity cover)

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to work as a Consultant in Palliative Medicine within the King's College Hospital Specialist Palliative Care Service. This is a replacement post to join the team based at Denmark Hill. The palliative care team offers an advisory service to patients with palliative care needs and promotes excellence in end-of-life care across the Trust. We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic individual to join our team, supporting this busy, dynamic, multi-professional team and building on partnerships across the locality. It is envisaged that the appointee will contribute to the delivery and development of specific aspects of the service, depending on their interests and experience, and support general team activities. They will also contribute to teaching and training. The post will sit within a collaborative network across our Clinical Academic Group within King's Health Partners. A wealth of opportunities exist to be involved in research via established links with the Cicely Saunders Institute.

Main duties of the job

Main duties of the job

  • To provide senior palliative care medical leadership to support skilled decision making and support to patients, palliative care and Trust colleagues, particularly in cases of complexity.
  • To lead, deliver and represent excellent palliative care through innovation, collaboration and education.
  • To support 24/7 specialist palliative care advice across KHP. The On-Call commitment is for a 1:16 rota, which is classed as Category B. On-call telephone advice is provided to health professionals across King's, St Thomas', Guys and Lewisham Hospitals and Guys and St Thomas' community palliative care teams.

About us

Working for your organisation

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts, with a turnover of £1.8bn per annum, and we are delighted you are considering a career with us.

Our teams provide services out of five hospitals across South East London and Kent, namelyKing's College Hospital, the Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington Hospital, Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, and Beckenham Beacon.

We employ nearly 14,000 staff,who together treat over 1.5 million patients every year.

We provide a full range of local and specialist services, and our teams are nationally and internationally recognised for our workin liver disease and transplantation, neurosciences, cardiac, haemato-oncology, fetal medicine, stroke, major trauma, and emergency medicine.

OurStrong Roots, Global Reach strategy, published in 2021, sets out our BOLD vision and commitment towards:

1. At King's, we are proud to serve a diverse range of communities, and our staff reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, with many people also travelling from all over the world to start and develop their careers with us.

Details

Date posted

10 April 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year pro rata exc London Zone Allowance

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

213-MED-DH-7919468

Job locations

Cicely Saunders Institute- King's College Hospital

Bessemer Road

Camberwell, London

SE5 9RS


Job description

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our dedicated workforce and to join one of the largest and most successful Foundation Trusts in the UK, with an international reputation for innovation and a desire to make a difference.

You must be fully registered with the GMC and hold a Licence to Practice and be on the Specialist Register, or within three months of attaining your CCT or equivalent, to be eligible for interview. Informal visits are welcome.

The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable adults and/or children (0-18 years), therefore, 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

1.Together with other colleagues, to provide a high-quality care service to patients. This includes all aspects of treatment and relevant management duties for the proper functioning of the Care Group.

22.Shared responsibility with other colleagues for providing 24 hours, 7 days a week cover for the Unit on a rota basis. Responsible also for covering colleagues periods of annual leave and short-term sickness as detailed in your contract.

33.Provide clinical supervision of junior medical/dental practitionersas a shared responsibility with other consultant colleagues.

44.Responsible for carrying out teaching, examination, and accreditation duties as required and contributing to CPD and clinical governance initiatives.

55.Responsible for outpatient clinic commitments in peripheral hospitals as agreed with the Care Groups management team, where part of the service structure.

66.Contribute to the Care Groups research interests in accordance with the Trusts R&D framework.

77.Contribute to the audit programmes, Morbidity and Mortality, Clinical Governance programmes and Learning from Deaths.

88.Take an active role in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of the Care Groups Business Plan. This may include assisting with discussions regarding service plans and developments with internal and external agencies.

99.Conduct all activities within the contracted level of service and operating plan for service(s).

110.Exercise professional leadership for all staff working in the specialty. This will include fostering and developing projects focused towards these ends and ensuring that the momentum of post-qualification professional education and other appropriate training is maintained.

111.Work in conjunction with clinical and other professional colleagues to ensure that the productivity of staff within the specialty is maintained and their job satisfaction is enhanced. This may include involvement in the appraisal process for peers and/or junior colleagues

112.Undertake Care Group management duties as agreed with the Care Group/Departmental Manager/Clinical Director.

113.Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene.

114.Prepare for and undertake the protective interventions that you are responsible for in a manner that is consistent with evidence-based practice and maintains patient safety.

115.Kings is committed to providing consultant-led 7-day services, and in the event of future developments, the post holder would be expected to contribute equally with other Consultant colleagues.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our dedicated workforce and to join one of the largest and most successful Foundation Trusts in the UK, with an international reputation for innovation and a desire to make a difference.

You must be fully registered with the GMC and hold a Licence to Practice and be on the Specialist Register, or within three months of attaining your CCT or equivalent, to be eligible for interview. Informal visits are welcome.

The postholder will have regular contact with vulnerable adults and/or children (0-18 years), therefore, 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

1.Together with other colleagues, to provide a high-quality care service to patients. This includes all aspects of treatment and relevant management duties for the proper functioning of the Care Group.

22.Shared responsibility with other colleagues for providing 24 hours, 7 days a week cover for the Unit on a rota basis. Responsible also for covering colleagues periods of annual leave and short-term sickness as detailed in your contract.

33.Provide clinical supervision of junior medical/dental practitionersas a shared responsibility with other consultant colleagues.

44.Responsible for carrying out teaching, examination, and accreditation duties as required and contributing to CPD and clinical governance initiatives.

55.Responsible for outpatient clinic commitments in peripheral hospitals as agreed with the Care Groups management team, where part of the service structure.

66.Contribute to the Care Groups research interests in accordance with the Trusts R&D framework.

77.Contribute to the audit programmes, Morbidity and Mortality, Clinical Governance programmes and Learning from Deaths.

88.Take an active role in the formulation, implementation, and monitoring of the Care Groups Business Plan. This may include assisting with discussions regarding service plans and developments with internal and external agencies.

99.Conduct all activities within the contracted level of service and operating plan for service(s).

110.Exercise professional leadership for all staff working in the specialty. This will include fostering and developing projects focused towards these ends and ensuring that the momentum of post-qualification professional education and other appropriate training is maintained.

111.Work in conjunction with clinical and other professional colleagues to ensure that the productivity of staff within the specialty is maintained and their job satisfaction is enhanced. This may include involvement in the appraisal process for peers and/or junior colleagues

112.Undertake Care Group management duties as agreed with the Care Group/Departmental Manager/Clinical Director.

113.Be aware of, and comply with, all Trust infection prevention and control policies, to include hand hygiene, personal hygiene, environmental and food hygiene.

114.Prepare for and undertake the protective interventions that you are responsible for in a manner that is consistent with evidence-based practice and maintains patient safety.

115.Kings is committed to providing consultant-led 7-day services, and in the event of future developments, the post holder would be expected to contribute equally with other Consultant colleagues.

Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

  • Registerable medical qualification
  • MRCP, MRCGP or equivalent

Desirable

  • Other higher degree or diploma (e.g., MD)

Registration

Essential

  • Full Registration with GMC
  • Name on GMC Specialist Register on date of taking up appointment

Training and Experience

Essential

  • Wide experience in all aspects of palliative care, culminating in award of CCT or equivalent
  • Specialist training in Palliative Care

Desirable

  • Previous experience working in an acute Trust

Administration

Essential

  • Experience in day-to-day organisation of Palliative Care services in a busy Teaching Hospital
  • Familiarity with information technology and general computer skills
  • Familiar with current structure of UK National Health Service and conversant with recent initiatives and changes

Desirable

  • Familiar with current structure of Health Service and conversant with recent initiatives and changes

Management and Leadership

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate leadership capability within multi-disciplinary teams

Desirable

  • Management course and/or qualification

Audit and Quality Improvement

Essential

  • Thorough understanding of principles of medical audit
  • Must have undertaken and completed audit projects

Desirable

  • Audit Publications

Research and Publications

Essential

  • Experience of conducting or supporting clinical research
  • Keeps upto date with relevant palliative care and related research developments in the field

Desirable

  • Relevant research experience in one or more aspects of palliative care
  • Publication of relevant review articles or case reports

Teaching

Essential

  • Experience of undergraduate and post-graduate teaching and exam preparation

Desirable

  • Teaching skills course/qualification
Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

  • Registerable medical qualification
  • MRCP, MRCGP or equivalent

Desirable

  • Other higher degree or diploma (e.g., MD)

Registration

Essential

  • Full Registration with GMC
  • Name on GMC Specialist Register on date of taking up appointment

Training and Experience

Essential

  • Wide experience in all aspects of palliative care, culminating in award of CCT or equivalent
  • Specialist training in Palliative Care

Desirable

  • Previous experience working in an acute Trust

Administration

Essential

  • Experience in day-to-day organisation of Palliative Care services in a busy Teaching Hospital
  • Familiarity with information technology and general computer skills
  • Familiar with current structure of UK National Health Service and conversant with recent initiatives and changes

Desirable

  • Familiar with current structure of Health Service and conversant with recent initiatives and changes

Management and Leadership

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate leadership capability within multi-disciplinary teams

Desirable

  • Management course and/or qualification

Audit and Quality Improvement

Essential

  • Thorough understanding of principles of medical audit
  • Must have undertaken and completed audit projects

Desirable

  • Audit Publications

Research and Publications

Essential

  • Experience of conducting or supporting clinical research
  • Keeps upto date with relevant palliative care and related research developments in the field

Desirable

  • Relevant research experience in one or more aspects of palliative care
  • Publication of relevant review articles or case reports

Teaching

Essential

  • Experience of undergraduate and post-graduate teaching and exam preparation

Desirable

  • Teaching skills course/qualification

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).

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.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cicely Saunders Institute- King's College Hospital

Bessemer Road

Camberwell, London

SE5 9RS


Employer's website

https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cicely Saunders Institute- King's College Hospital

Bessemer Road

Camberwell, London

SE5 9RS


Employer's website

https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Palliative Care Consultant-Clinical Lead

Rebecca Darge

rebecca.darge2@nhs.net

02032994060

Details

Date posted

10 April 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year pro rata exc London Zone Allowance

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

213-MED-DH-7919468

Job locations

Cicely Saunders Institute- King's College Hospital

Bessemer Road

Camberwell, London

SE5 9RS


Supporting documents

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