Job Description

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology to join our team. This is an opportunity to deliver high-quality care and contribute to the development of services for women across Blackpool and Lancashire.



The successful candidate will provide comprehensive obstetric and gynaecological services, with a special interest in obstetric clinical governance and Labour Ward Lead, supporting the Saving Babies Lives (SBL) care bundle. The Maternity department delivers a high-quality, family-focused service, both locally and in the wider community. Based at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, the department delivers around 2,500 babies annually.



The role includes time for clinical governance, teaching, and research, with opportunities for quality improvement initiatives. The Directorate is committed to professional development, offering mentorship, leadership training, and involvement in innovative projects.



Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will collaborate with midwives, neonatal staff, and other specialties to deliver safe, patient-centred care. Flexible working arrangements, including remote working, are available to support work-life balance.



If you are passionate about delivering excellence in women's healthcare and driving innovation, we invite you to join our team and make a meaningful impact on the community we serve.



Clinical Leadership & Safety



Provide senior clinical leadership on the labour ward, ensuring safe, high-quality intrapartum care. Act as the key decision-maker, managing complex cases and ensuring timely escalation when necessary. Lead multidisciplinary ward rounds, oversee risk management, and collaborate with midwifery leaders to promote normal birth while ensuring swift access to obstetric intervention when required.

Governance, Quality & Service Development



Lead labour ward governance by reviewing incidents, audits, and quality improvement initiatives. Implement national and local guidelines, including the Saving Babies' Lives Care Bundle and Ockenden recommendations. Foster a culture of learning and improvement through case reviews, training drills, and simulation exercises. Contribute to the strategic development of maternity services.

Education & Training



Provide hands-on teaching, mentorship, and debriefs for junior doctors, midwives, and healthcare professionals. Lead training in obstetric emergencies, including PROMPT and Human Factors training, promoting strong multidisciplinary teamwork and communication.

Collaborative Working & Engagement



Work closely with midwifery, anaesthetics, and neonatal teams to ensure integrated perinatal care. Represent the labour ward in governance meetings and engage with service users to enhance patient experience and care quality.



Maternity & Women's Services at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals



The Directorate of Maternity and Women's Services at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care for women and their families across Blackpool and Lancashire. As part of the Families and Integrated Community Care Division, we provide integrated maternity, gynaecology, and neonatal services, supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team.



Our expert workforce includes 11 substantive consultants with specialist interests, alongside specialty trainees, clinical fellows, midwives, nurses, and neonatal specialists. The maternity unit sees approximately 3,000 births annually, offering consultant-led care, a midwifery-led unit, dedicated obstetric theatres, and specialist clinics. Our Level 2 Neonatal Unit provides high-dependency and special care for premature and sick infants.



Gynaecology services span outpatient, day-case, and inpatient care, featuring a dedicated day suite for procedures such as hysteroscopy and colposcopy, an Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit, and advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive laparoscopy.



We are committed to education, training, and research, hosting medical students and postgraduate trainees while contributing to national research initiatives. Through clinical governance, innovation, and continuous improvement, we strive to enhance patient safety and outcomes, shaping the future of women's healthcare.



Clinical Duties



Obstetrics



Lead care on the Delivery Suite as part of the consultant team, contributing to the 60-hour consultant presence weekly, ensuring safe, timely, and effective delivery of care for mothers and babies.

Oversee the management of high-risk pregnancies, including antenatal and intrapartum care, providing specialist expertise and facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration with midwives, neonatologists, anaesthetists, and other allied professionals.

Focusing on obstetric clinical governance and supporting the implementation and delivery of the Saving Babies Lives (SBL) care bundle.

Supervise and perform emergency obstetric procedures, including instrumental deliveries, caesarean sections, and the management of obstetric emergencies such as postpartum haemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, and eclampsia.

Conduct antenatal clinics, including the management of complex maternal and fetal conditions, providing individualised care plans for high-risk patients.

Support postnatal care to optimise maternal recovery and neonatal outcomes, ensuring comprehensive follow-up plans for complex cases.



Gynaecology



Provide outpatient gynaecology services, including general gynaecology clinics and specialist services such as outpatient hysteroscopy and obtaining endometrial biopsies.

Perform elective and emergency gynaecological surgeries, including open, laparoscopic and hysteroscopic techniques, and the management of complex cases such as ectopic pregnancies and ovarian cysts.

Contribute to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) by managing complications such as miscarriage, molar pregnancy, and ectopic pregnancy, ensuring empathetic and timely care.

Provide expert consultation and clinical decision-making for referrals from primary care, ensuring appropriate triage and management plans.



Service Development



Actively engage in reviewing and developing clinical pathways to improve efficiency and quality of obstetric and gynaecological services.

Participate in the implementation of new technologies and evidence-based practices to enhance patient care.

Support the development and expansion of the Midwifery-Led Unit, ensuring the integration of patient-centred care models.

Monitor and address departmental performance metrics, working collaboratively to meet local and national targets.



Leadership and Management



Lead on obstetric clinical governance activities, including the identification and management of risks, incident investigations, and the implementation of recommendations to improve patient outcomes.

Provide leadership within the department, ensuring high standards of clinical care, professionalism, and patient safety.

Act as a key decision-maker in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, providing expert advice on the management of complex obstetrics and gynaecology cases.

Support junior medical staff and multidisciplinary teams during clinical duties, ensuring effective communication and decision-making.

Assist in the development and implementation of departmental policies and guidelines, ensuring alignment with national standards such as those from NICE and the RCOG.



Education and Training



Act as a clinical supervisor and educational mentor for medical students, foundation doctors, specialty trainees, midwives, and nursing staff.

Deliver formal and informal teaching sessions, workshops, and simulation training, focusing on core obstetric and gynaecological skills, emergencies, and patient-centred care.

Support multidisciplinary training programs, including obstetric emergency drills, fetal monitoring interpretation.

Provide constructive feedback and assessments for trainees, ensuring their continuous professional development and progression.



Research and Audit



Participate in clinical research, contributing to local, regional, and national studies, with opportunities to lead or collaborate on projects.

Supervise and mentor trainees and junior staff in audit and quality improvement projects, ensuring alignment with departmental and Trust priorities.

Regularly participate in clinical audits, ensuring the department meets and exceeds standards of care, and implement findings to drive quality improvement.

Present research findings at departmental, regional, and national meetings to promote evidence-based practice and innovation.



On-Call and Emergency Responsibilities



All consultants will follow an 11-week rolling rota, which includes daytime on-call shifts from 8am to 6pm, night on-call shifts from 6pm to 8am, and weekend on-call shifts on Saturday and Sunday.

Respond promptly to emergencies in the Delivery Suite, operating theatres, and wards, ensuring timely decision-making and high-quality care.

Support and supervise junior staff during on-call shifts, offering guidance on case management and escalation of care when needed.

Facilitate effective handovers between shifts to ensure continuity and safety of patient care.



Service Improvement and Innovation



Identify areas for improvement within the department and lead initiatives to enhance clinical services, patient pathways, and resource utilisation.

Collaborate with Trust leadership to align departmental goals with broader organisational strategies and national healthcare objectives.

Actively engage with patients and families to gather feedback and improve patient experience.

Lead or contribute to the introduction of innovative models of care, including virtual clinics and enhanced recovery pathways.



Professional Development and Continuing Education



Maintain and enhance clinical skills through regular participation in professional development activities, including CPD as required by the RCOG.

Actively engage in annual appraisal and revalidation processes, ensuring compliance with GMC standards.

Attend and contribute to local, regional, and national conferences and training events to stay at the forefront of developments in obstetrics and gynaecology.