Job summary
BRISTOL EYE HOSPITALSubstantive Paediatric Ophthalmology Consultant
Love Life, Love Bristol and Weston.
The Bristol Eye Hospital (BEH) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston Foundation Trust (UHBW) is looking to grow its talented team in Paediatric Ophthalmology to drive an ambitious future vision of care across Bristol and Weston.
Applications are warmly welcomed for this fulltime, substantive post in the department of Paediatric Ophthalmology, commencing as soon as possible in 2026.
The post is designed to provide sub-specialist and general paediatric ophthalmology care for children in the Bristol region (500K population) and sub-specialised care for children referred in from the surrounding Southwest region (1.5 million population) including patients cared for in the adjacent Bristol Royal Children's Hospital - a regional referral hub for Paediatric Neurosciences, Genetics and other specialities.
Ideally candidates will have a paediatric subspecialty interest to complement the existing interests in the department. The postholder will contribute to the ROP service by providing screening and potentially treatment, for which training can be given if needed. The postholder could join the Consultants on-call rota if wanted but it is not compulsory or expected for this post.
Main duties of the job
The BEH is a highly regarded Regional Centre for Ophthalmology which sits within the Division of Surgery at UHBW (recently rated Outstanding by the CQC) and has close links to the University of Bristol, with 3 academic consultant ophthalmologists. BEH provides a local and tertiary referral paediatric ophthalmology service with close links to the regional Bristol Royal Hospital for Children and the two Level 3 neonatal units (St Michaels Hospital and Southmead hospital). The paediatric and strabismus departments are supported by specialist orthoptists, optometrists and nurses and imagers. A video describing working in BEH is available here: https://youtu.be/he7-XrxIopo and another describing the outreach Special Schools service here https://vimeo.com/uhbwmi/download/949114658/4f9c7a2320.
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
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more details of the post
Interview date: 2/March/2026
For further details/informal visits please contact:
Cathy Williams cathy.williams@bristol.ac.uk
Amanda Churchill amanda.churchill@uhbw.nhs.uk
Sajeevika Amarakoon Sajeevika.amarakoon@uhbw.nhs.uk
or the department secretary:-
Gail Winstone Gail.winstone@uhbw.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for more details of the post
Interview date: 2/March/2026
For further details/informal visits please contact:
Cathy Williams cathy.williams@bristol.ac.uk
Amanda Churchill amanda.churchill@uhbw.nhs.uk
Sajeevika Amarakoon Sajeevika.amarakoon@uhbw.nhs.uk
or the department secretary:-
Gail Winstone Gail.winstone@uhbw.nhs.uk
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Fully registered with GMC
- Certification of completion of specialist training (CCT) (or equivalent, OR Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) at the point of interview
- Candidates can be within 6 months of gaining CCT at the date of interview. Please note this does not apply to CESR applications
- Must be on the GMC's Specialist Register to start Consultant appointment
Desirable
- Higher academic qualification e.g. MD, PhD or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Paediatric Ophthalmology including ROP screening
- Able to take responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision
Desirable
- ROP treatment experience
- Evidence of a special interest and expertise that complements those of other consultants in the department and is consistent with the Trust's service strategy
Clinical Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Up to date knowledge and experience of relevant specialty
- Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
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
- Participation in continuing professional development (CPD) scheme and, where relevant, evidence of participation
Research
Essential
- Knowledge of the principles involved in research
- Evidence of involvement in research
- Evidence of peer review research papers
Desirable
- Ability to increase the academic profile of the department
Teaching and Training
Essential
- Experience of teaching medical students.
- Experience of supervising trainees.
- Knowledge of teaching to a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Formal teaching qualification
Management & Leadership
Essential
- Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
- Ability to organise efficient 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
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 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
Behaviours and Values
Essential
- Demonstrates the 4 Trust values
Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes
Essential
- Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
- Awareness of personal limitations
- Meets professional health requirements
- Willingness to travel to and work in other sites necessitated by the role
Desirable
- Ability to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Fully registered with GMC
- Certification of completion of specialist training (CCT) (or equivalent, OR Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) at the point of interview
- Candidates can be within 6 months of gaining CCT at the date of interview. Please note this does not apply to CESR applications
- Must be on the GMC's Specialist Register to start Consultant appointment
Desirable
- Higher academic qualification e.g. MD, PhD or equivalent
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Paediatric Ophthalmology including ROP screening
- Able to take responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision
Desirable
- ROP treatment experience
- Evidence of a special interest and expertise that complements those of other consultants in the department and is consistent with the Trust's service strategy
Clinical Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Up to date knowledge and experience of relevant specialty
- Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
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
- Participation in continuing professional development (CPD) scheme and, where relevant, evidence of participation
Research
Essential
- Knowledge of the principles involved in research
- Evidence of involvement in research
- Evidence of peer review research papers
Desirable
- Ability to increase the academic profile of the department
Teaching and Training
Essential
- Experience of teaching medical students.
- Experience of supervising trainees.
- Knowledge of teaching to a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Formal teaching qualification
Management & Leadership
Essential
- Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
- Ability to organise efficient 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
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 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
Behaviours and Values
Essential
- Demonstrates the 4 Trust values
Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes
Essential
- Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
- Awareness of personal limitations
- Meets professional health requirements
- Willingness to travel to and work in other sites necessitated by the role
Desirable
- Ability to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
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).
