Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Consultant Ophthalmologist – Paediatric & Ocular Motility

The closing date is 03 July 2025

Job summary

This appointment offers exciting opportunities in light of the major changes currently taking place in the Ophthalmology department within the Trust and in particular forging closer links with the Ophthalmology department at the Great Western Hospital in Swindon.This is a joint post with clinical activity provided at Great Western Hospital, Swindon as well as Cheltenham General and Gloucester Royal Hospital.

The appointment will help the department achieve government and local targets in the provision of a high quality paediatric and ocular motility department to the population of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

The post-holder will help provide ophthalmic services for Gloucestershire and Wiltshire, together with appropriate teaching and supervision of junior doctors and medical students. He/she will be expected to work closely with general practitioners and optometrists in providing a seamless service.

As a senior employee of the Trust the post-holder will work in close co-operation with, and support other clinical, medical professional and managerial colleagues in providing high quality healthcare to the Trust's patients.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be required to join the on-call rota for Gloucestershire Hospitals with a frequency of 1 in 9 (category B).

The Medical Local Negotiating Committee (LNC) has agreed on behalf of the medical staff body within the Trust a standard allocation of 1.5 SPAs for all new appointments. Core duties are included in the present allocation of 1.5 SPAs but additional SPAs (up to a total maximum of 2.5 SPAs) may be available following discussion with the Specialty Director, depending upon Trust requirements and individual expertise.

In line with the terms and conditions, the final job plan is subject to the agreement of the Trust through the Specialty Director and the appointee.

Consultants provide cover for their colleagues for emergency work whenever they are away. The maximum number of Consultants away at any one time is always subject to the provision of an adequate service for patients.

The job plan represents an average week. The plan may vary in response to other consultants leave and to unplanned increases in work. The consultant will be expected to monitor their hours to ensure that the workload averages out to the proposed job plan.

About us

We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region.By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.

As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Details

Date posted

05 June 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£105,504 to £139,882 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

318-25-CONSOPHPAED&OM

Job locations

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Great Western Road

Gloucester

GL2 3NN


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities

To share responsibility for the delivery of high-quality care to patients presenting to the Ophthalmology service.

To provide a General Ophthalmology service for patients alongside the other members of the department.

To provide a Paediatric Ophthalmology and Ocular Motility service within the Gloucestershire Hospitals and Great Western Hospital Trusts, in partnership with the rest of the ophthalmic, orthoptic and optometric teams.

To examine and treat such patients.

To support the clinical decision making of junior medical and nursing staff.

To attend the Department out of hours as per agreed protocols.

2. Professional Development, Education and Training

To provide conditions for improved training opportunities in line with national and local recommendations arising out of MMC and related requirements.

The appointee will also take a full role in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching including clinical meetings and tutorials. Medical students are currently taken from several universities, but the Clinical Academy based at the University of Bristol is expected to provide the majority of undergraduates in future.

Where agreed, to act as Educational Supervisor to junior and middle grade medical staff, being responsible for their appraisal and personal development planning.

The department subscribes to a wide range of journals and there are good medical libraries at both Gloucester and Cheltenham with full literature search facilities. The department is part of a Trust wide intranet system and is well served for literature search and other internet functions.

3. Management and Leadership

To provide medical information for the development of systems appropriate for Trust needs.

To participate in departmental consultant and senior staff meetings whilst remaining within the framework of the agreed strategy of the Trust and the Department.

To attend other departmental, Divisional and Trust meetings as necessary.

To attend regional and national meetings as necessary.

To undertake all work in accordance with Trust procedures and operating policies.

4. Clinical Governance and Audit

To promote evidence-based practice. To respond appropriately to NICE guidance. To change own and others clinical practice in response to new clinical developments.

To undertake and supervise relevant clinical audit topics.

To be involved in risk management and quality assurance.

To remain up to date and engaged in CPD as per RCOphth guidelines.

To respond appropriately to complaints and critical incidents.

To undertake all work in accordance with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust procedures and operating policies.

To attend accredited conferences and meetings to update personal level of clinical practice, teaching and management skills in line with CME requirements.

To participate in an annual Job Planning Review process.

To participate in the Trusts annual Appraisal process.

To adhere to the Trusts Adverse Clinical Incident Policy.

5. Communications and Working Relationships

To work within the framework of team decisions.

To participate in an inclusive approach to working with other providers of ophthalmic care within the wider NHS health community in the county.

To show initiative, enthusiasm and flexibility.

6. General Working Conditions

The post-holder will be immediately accountable to the Paediatric Lead, Specialty Director and Divisional Lead.

The post-holder will be expected to undertake appraisal and to respond to any identified development needs.

The post-holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital. This statutory duty is in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with the post.

Finally, the post-holder is expected to:

1. Observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations

2. Observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff

3. Be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Clinical Responsibilities/Key Responsibilities

To share responsibility for the delivery of high-quality care to patients presenting to the Ophthalmology service.

To provide a General Ophthalmology service for patients alongside the other members of the department.

To provide a Paediatric Ophthalmology and Ocular Motility service within the Gloucestershire Hospitals and Great Western Hospital Trusts, in partnership with the rest of the ophthalmic, orthoptic and optometric teams.

To examine and treat such patients.

To support the clinical decision making of junior medical and nursing staff.

To attend the Department out of hours as per agreed protocols.

2. Professional Development, Education and Training

To provide conditions for improved training opportunities in line with national and local recommendations arising out of MMC and related requirements.

The appointee will also take a full role in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching including clinical meetings and tutorials. Medical students are currently taken from several universities, but the Clinical Academy based at the University of Bristol is expected to provide the majority of undergraduates in future.

Where agreed, to act as Educational Supervisor to junior and middle grade medical staff, being responsible for their appraisal and personal development planning.

The department subscribes to a wide range of journals and there are good medical libraries at both Gloucester and Cheltenham with full literature search facilities. The department is part of a Trust wide intranet system and is well served for literature search and other internet functions.

3. Management and Leadership

To provide medical information for the development of systems appropriate for Trust needs.

To participate in departmental consultant and senior staff meetings whilst remaining within the framework of the agreed strategy of the Trust and the Department.

To attend other departmental, Divisional and Trust meetings as necessary.

To attend regional and national meetings as necessary.

To undertake all work in accordance with Trust procedures and operating policies.

4. Clinical Governance and Audit

To promote evidence-based practice. To respond appropriately to NICE guidance. To change own and others clinical practice in response to new clinical developments.

To undertake and supervise relevant clinical audit topics.

To be involved in risk management and quality assurance.

To remain up to date and engaged in CPD as per RCOphth guidelines.

To respond appropriately to complaints and critical incidents.

To undertake all work in accordance with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust procedures and operating policies.

To attend accredited conferences and meetings to update personal level of clinical practice, teaching and management skills in line with CME requirements.

To participate in an annual Job Planning Review process.

To participate in the Trusts annual Appraisal process.

To adhere to the Trusts Adverse Clinical Incident Policy.

5. Communications and Working Relationships

To work within the framework of team decisions.

To participate in an inclusive approach to working with other providers of ophthalmic care within the wider NHS health community in the county.

To show initiative, enthusiasm and flexibility.

6. General Working Conditions

The post-holder will be immediately accountable to the Paediatric Lead, Specialty Director and Divisional Lead.

The post-holder will be expected to undertake appraisal and to respond to any identified development needs.

The post-holder has a general duty of care for their own health, safety and wellbeing and that of work colleagues, visitors and patients within the hospital. This statutory duty is in addition to any specific risk management or clinical governance accountabilities associated with the post.

Finally, the post-holder is expected to:

1. Observe the rules, policies, procedures and standards of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust together with all relevant statutory and professional obligations

2. Observe and maintain strict confidentiality of personal information relating to patients and staff

3. Be responsible, with management support, for their own personal development and to actively contribute to the development of colleagues

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • Full GMC Registration and license to practice
  • FRCOphth or appropriate specialist qualification
  • Entry on the GMC Specialist Register via CCT or CESR (proposed CCT/CESR date must be within 6 months of interview)
  • European Community Rights

Desirable

  • Postgraduate degree

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Knowledge of contemporary NHS management issues
  • Knowledge of political context within which we operate
  • Evidence of recent CME activity and satisfactory career progression
  • Knowledge of principles of audit with evidence of participation
  • Experience of supervising junior medical staff and willingness to teach students, junior medical staff and other professionals
  • Proven teaching ability
  • Publications in peer reviewed journals

Desirable

  • Proven track record in research and willingness to undertake further research
  • Completion of a management course or programme
  • Negotiation skills experience

Clinical/Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of paediatric ophthalmology fellowship training
  • Clinical training and experience in general ophthalmology equivalent to that required for a UK CCT
  • Clinical training in ocular motility and adult strabismus surgery to Level 4 competence
  • Evidence of experience with high volume cataract surgery. Fully audited complication data for last 200 cases
  • Recent experience and familiarity of UK hospital systems and practices (or equivalent)

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to lead a team and form effective working relationships
  • Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, GP's, nurses and other agencies
  • Ability to provide a role model and to inspire and develop junior medical and nursing staff
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of the directorate and to balance individual requirements against those of the directorate and the Trust as a whole
  • Evidence of self-motivation and ability to organize own CME and CPD needs
  • Willingness to attend outlying hospitals as required and ability to fulfil travelling requirements associated with the post
Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

  • Full GMC Registration and license to practice
  • FRCOphth or appropriate specialist qualification
  • Entry on the GMC Specialist Register via CCT or CESR (proposed CCT/CESR date must be within 6 months of interview)
  • European Community Rights

Desirable

  • Postgraduate degree

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Knowledge of contemporary NHS management issues
  • Knowledge of political context within which we operate
  • Evidence of recent CME activity and satisfactory career progression
  • Knowledge of principles of audit with evidence of participation
  • Experience of supervising junior medical staff and willingness to teach students, junior medical staff and other professionals
  • Proven teaching ability
  • Publications in peer reviewed journals

Desirable

  • Proven track record in research and willingness to undertake further research
  • Completion of a management course or programme
  • Negotiation skills experience

Clinical/Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of paediatric ophthalmology fellowship training
  • Clinical training and experience in general ophthalmology equivalent to that required for a UK CCT
  • Clinical training in ocular motility and adult strabismus surgery to Level 4 competence
  • Evidence of experience with high volume cataract surgery. Fully audited complication data for last 200 cases
  • Recent experience and familiarity of UK hospital systems and practices (or equivalent)

Personal Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to lead a team and form effective working relationships
  • Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, GP's, nurses and other agencies
  • Ability to provide a role model and to inspire and develop junior medical and nursing staff
  • Ability to work independently as well as part of the directorate and to balance individual requirements against those of the directorate and the Trust as a whole
  • Evidence of self-motivation and ability to organize own CME and CPD needs
  • Willingness to attend outlying hospitals as required and ability to fulfil travelling requirements associated with the post

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

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Great Western Road

Gloucester

GL2 3NN


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Great Western Road

Gloucester

GL2 3NN


Employer's website

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

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Paediatric & Ocular Motility Ophthalmologist

Mr John Ferris

john.ferris2@nhs.net

03004222523

Details

Date posted

05 June 2025

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£105,504 to £139,882 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

318-25-CONSOPHPAED&OM

Job locations

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Great Western Road

Gloucester

GL2 3NN


Supporting documents

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