Job Description

Consultants in Geriatric Medicine



SWB is undergoing an exciting period of transformation and expansion. As we move into our new state-of-the-art hospital (MMUH), we are delighted to be able to announce the opportunity for candidates to join our growing, friendly and enthusiastic elderly care team. We are a department with a strong and proud identity. We believe our older population deserve the very best and are passionate about developing a truly responsive and integrative service that puts patient well-being at the very heart and soul of everything we do. We are seeking like-minded, dynamic and forward thinking clinicians to join us as we continue to develop our high performing services. Successful applicants will join a team of 9 passionate, innovative and dedicated geriatricians, committed to providing high quality care and services within the region.



Applicants should hold full GMC registration and a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in General Internal Medicine (GIM) and Geriatric Medicine, or be eligible for entry to the Specialist Register within six months of the interview date. Demonstration of a commitment to service development, education and training or other academic achievement will be considered an advantage. This is a full time post but we are happy to consider those who wish to work less than full time in this role. This Trust offers a competitive relocation package.

Closing date:

- 20th October 2025

Interview date:

- 19th November 2025



Inpatient clinical activity will be based on the elderly care ward within MMUH but outpatient activity may be conducted across both sites of City and Sandwell Hospitals. The role would involve the supervision of Foundation, IMT, GP trainees and specialty trainees in Geriatric Medicine. The successful applicant has the opportunity to run a weekly outpatient session (or inpatient subspecialty clinical session) of their specialist interest. The successful applicant will work closely with colleagues in Geriatric Medicine and will be contributing to the general internal medicine on call rota (1 in 20 weekday, 1 in 8 weekend).



Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) serves Birmingham and the Black Country - one of the country's most culturally diverse areas. It's a friendly and welcoming place - a place where you can belong, and a place where you can grow.



We care for our patients, we care about our population, and we care about our people.



Our values - Ambition, Respect and Compassion - are at the heart of who we are. They guide us every step of the way; how we work with each other, and how we look after our patients and their families; how we respect and value the rich diversity of our team and our community.



Our Trust has always aspired to be more than a hospital, more than a healthcare provider. Our purpose is to "Improve the Life Chances and Health Outcomes of our Population." It is what inspires, drives, and unites us every day. It's what makes us unique.



We want working at SWB to feel like more than just a job. We want our Trust to be a place where you can feel you belong. A place where you feel happy, safe, and rewarded. A place where you can develop your career in whatever way you choose. When we say we're 'with you all the way' we want you to know that we mean it. Visit the SWB website to find out more about our ambitions and people plans.



The post exists as part of rotational service model which can include experience in core geriatrics, front-door frailty, orthogeriatrics, movement disorders and surgical liaison. However, as a large and dynamic department, there is ample opportunity to negotiate job plans to fit specialist interests. We strongly believe that personal development enhances our services and drives change. As such, subspecialty interests are not only welcome, but fully supported and actively encouraged.



The Trust maintains an accessible, open and visible management structure and considers communication and collaboration as core values. As such, any successful appointee will be encouraged to participate in the development, planning, management and delivery of services in partnership with colleagues. Successful applicants will need to demonstrate a commitment to multidisciplinary working and be expected to participate alongside colleagues in the on-call rota for acute medical admissions. We have three strategic objectives:

People:

To cultivate and sustain happy, productive and engaged staff;

Patients:

To be good or outstanding at everything we do;

Population:

To work seamlessly with partners to improve lives;



We run services from Sandwell, City, MMUH and Rowley Regis Hospitals, Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham Treatment Centre, the Lyng and Leasowes Intermediate Care Centre. Our GP practices and community teams provide care in schools, healthcare centres and at home.



Working within the newly opened Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) is a once in a career opportunity to shape care transformation within and beyond the hospital walls. MMUH will host the busiest Emergency Department in Europe, with state of the art facilities and future development of a Learning Campus.



Developing and caring for our People is fundamental. We were one of the first Trusts to provide the Real Living Wage, as well as a Live and Work scheme to support people at risk of homelessness into paid work and training. We offer a range of staff benefits, health & wellbeing support and will help you to bring your ambition to life through our bespoke training and development programmes. As "People" is one of our three strategic objectives, we make a continued commitment to prioritise support for all our colleagues.



SWBH enjoys an excellent reputation for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, having strong links with both the University of Birmingham and Aston University Medical School. Successful candidates will have ample support and opportunity to develop their roles as clinical teachers and educational supervisors. The Trust's commitment to education cannot be demonstrated more clearly than by its two state-of-the-art education centres, extensively stocked libraries and a recently refurbished simulation teaching suite. SWBH is home to a number of University departments that are involved in active research within the Trust.



The Trust is also very advantageously situated, with excellent accommodation, leisure facilities and outstanding schools nearby. It exists in close proximity to Birmingham International Airport and enjoys the excellent shopping and cultural facilities of both Dudley and Birmingham City centre.



The Geriatric Medicine Department is part of the Admitted Care Directorate of the Group of Medicine and Emergency Care. There are 5 established Geriatric Medicine wards at MMUH totalling 112 inpatient beds. The Geriatric Medicine wards provide acute care and rehabilitation with provision for further rehabilitation at various intermediate care sites in the locality.



A full time Orthogeriatrician works with the trauma & orthopaedic team to provide care for all the neck of femur fracture patients and care for the non-neck of femur fracture patients in the trauma & orthopaedic wards. We also deliver a weekday surgical liaison service to those frail patients being managed within the surgical bed base.



Frailty Intervention Team operate within the medical SDEC at MMUH providing in-reach into the Emergency and Acute Medical Assessment Unit, with daily Geriatrician input on the front door to facilitate the assessment and timely management of the frail older patients in acute setting and frailty SDEC areas. The team has forged great relationship with the community teams and support the newly developed Frailty Virtual ward with a daily Geriatrician input during the weekdays. The team is currently working towards developing a 7 day frailty service with the growing elderly care team.



For more information on the job role and responsibilities, please refer to the attached.

For an informal discussion, please contact:

Group Director/Consultant Cardiologist :

Dr Chetan Varma, Tel: via the Cardiology secretaries on 0121 507 5841, email: c.varma@nhs.net

Clinical Director/Consultant Geriatrician:

Dr Asim Majeed, Tel: via the Elderly care secretaries on 0121 507 4718, email: asim.majeed@nhs.net

Clinical Specialty Lead/Consultant Geriatrician:

Dr Grace Shorthouse, Tel: via the Elderly Care secretaries on 121 507 4718, email: grace.shorthouse@nhs.net