Job summary
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) has an exciting opportunity for a Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine to join our passionate and committed Paediatric Palliative Care and Bereavement Support Team. Applications are invited for a less than full time (0.8WTE) Consultant post in Paediatric Palliative Medicine to commence from September 2025.
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust employs 13,000 staff over 100 different clinical services across ten different sites. We provide general medical and emergency services to the local population of Weston, Central and South Bristol, and a broad range of specialist services across a region that extends from Cornwall to Gloucestershire, into South Wales and beyond.
The Paediatric Palliative Care and Bereavement Support team sits within the division of Women's and Children's Services, and delivers patient and family centred care for babies, children and young people with life limiting illness. We work across the division with patients under the care of both the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (the tertiary centre for the South-West region and local hospital for children in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire), and St. Michael's Hospital, supporting the delivery of paediatric palliative care within the NICU and antenatally when a life-limiting diagnosis is made in pregnancy.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will join a strong local partnership of statutory and charitable providers in supporting babies, children & young people and their families with life-limiting & life-threatening illness from diagnosis through to bereavement across Bristol North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). The post holder will be based at the UHBW hospitals but will work closely with local partners to deliver seamless patient and family centred care. In BNSSG, there is a well-established relationship between UHBW, Charlton Farm Children's Hospice and other community partners, with several members of the palliative care teams working across settings. All providers contribute to support for patients and families as they move between settings to ensure their needs are met as effectively as possible.
It is possible that the successful candidate will have the opportunity to join the out of hours paediatric palliative medicine rota advising on the care of BCYP at Charlton Farm Children's Hospice. (Please note this element of the role does not form part of the NHS contract.)
About us
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information please contact:
Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine Dr Charlotte Mellor, UHBW on 0117 3427293 or charlotte.mellor@uhbw.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further information please contact:
Consultant in Paediatric Palliative Medicine Dr Charlotte Mellor, UHBW on 0117 3427293 or charlotte.mellor@uhbw.nhs.uk
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent
- MRCPCH or equivalent
- Full and specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or eligible for specialist registration within six months of interview)
- On Specialist register for Paediatric Palliative Medicine (CCT/CESR or within 6 months of completion of higher specialist training) or able to demonstrate equivalent experience and skills within the arena of paediatric palliative medicine
- Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to post
Desirable
- Higher academic qualification
- Research training/publications
Experience
Essential
- Can demonstrate significant clinical experience in the field of Paediatric Palliative Medicine in all care settings (hospice, hospital, community)
- Can demonstrate experience of providing palliative care for patients from across the spectrum of ages (antenatal to young person transitioning to adult services) and with a variety of conditions- malignant and non-malignant
Desirable
- Experience at a senior level in leading and developing services within healthcare
Clinical Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Knowledge of national priorities with reference to Paediatric Palliative Care
- Ability to function at a high level within a multidisciplinary setting
Desirable
Clinical Governance and Audit
Essential
- Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation
- Positive approach to evidence-based practice in the context of PPC
Research
Essential
- Knowledge of the principles involved in research
- Evidence of involvement in research
- Evidence of peer review research papers
Teaching and Training
Essential
- Experience of supervising trainees
- Experience of teaching multidisciplinary team members
Desirable
- Formal teaching qualification
Management & Leadership
Essential
- Ability to organise efficiently and smooth running of a specialist service
- Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant
- Ability to practice independently as a consultant
- Ability to take on responsibility and show evidence of leadership
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks
Desirable
- Demonstration of knowledge of NHS management structures
- Management experience
- Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
Interpersonal, communication and team working skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, clinical colleagues, support staff and other colleagues.
- Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English.
- Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships on an individual and multi-professional basis with all levels of staff both within and across divisions
- Ability to be a flexible team member
Interpersonal, communication and team working skills Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes
Essential
- Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
- Awareness of personal limitations
- Able to demonstrate a high level of reflexivity
Desirable
- Ability to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
Other
Essential
- Meets professional health requirements
- Willingness to travel to and work in other sites necessitated by the role.
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent
- MRCPCH or equivalent
- Full and specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) (or eligible for specialist registration within six months of interview)
- On Specialist register for Paediatric Palliative Medicine (CCT/CESR or within 6 months of completion of higher specialist training) or able to demonstrate equivalent experience and skills within the arena of paediatric palliative medicine
- Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to post
Desirable
- Higher academic qualification
- Research training/publications
Experience
Essential
- Can demonstrate significant clinical experience in the field of Paediatric Palliative Medicine in all care settings (hospice, hospital, community)
- Can demonstrate experience of providing palliative care for patients from across the spectrum of ages (antenatal to young person transitioning to adult services) and with a variety of conditions- malignant and non-malignant
Desirable
- Experience at a senior level in leading and developing services within healthcare
Clinical Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Knowledge of national priorities with reference to Paediatric Palliative Care
- Ability to function at a high level within a multidisciplinary setting
Desirable
Clinical Governance and Audit
Essential
- Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation
- Positive approach to evidence-based practice in the context of PPC
Research
Essential
- Knowledge of the principles involved in research
- Evidence of involvement in research
- Evidence of peer review research papers
Teaching and Training
Essential
- Experience of supervising trainees
- Experience of teaching multidisciplinary team members
Desirable
- Formal teaching qualification
Management & Leadership
Essential
- Ability to organise efficiently and smooth running of a specialist service
- Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant
- Ability to practice independently as a consultant
- Ability to take on responsibility and show evidence of leadership
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks
Desirable
- Demonstration of knowledge of NHS management structures
- Management experience
- Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
Interpersonal, communication and team working skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, clinical colleagues, support staff and other colleagues.
- Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English.
- Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships on an individual and multi-professional basis with all levels of staff both within and across divisions
- Ability to be a flexible team member
Interpersonal, communication and team working skills Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes
Essential
- Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
- Awareness of personal limitations
- Able to demonstrate a high level of reflexivity
Desirable
- Ability to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
Other
Essential
- Meets professional health requirements
- Willingness to travel to and work in other sites necessitated by the role.
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).
