Job Description

We are excited to invite applications for three substantive Consultant Paediatricians with a special interest in Neonatology to join our expanding team at West Middlesex University Hospital.



These new posts form part of the recent re-designation of our neonatal service from a Level 1 Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) to a Level 2 Local Neonatal Unit (LNU) a significant milestone that reflects both the growth in activity at the site and our commitment to providing high-quality care closer to home for local families .

We are seeking applicants who:

Have CCT in Paediatrics (or within 6 months of completion) with SPIN or equivalent training in neonatology (minimum 12 months Tier 2 experience in a NICU in the UK within the last 36 months)



Demonstrate strong leadership, teamworking and communication skills



Have experience in teaching, training, audit and service development



Are motivated to support the growth of neonatal services as we develop into a thriving Local Neonatal Unit



Neonatal CCT is desirable but not essential.

Contract:

10 PA, substantive

Location:

Primarily West Middlesex University Hospital, with potential cross-site working at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

On-call:

1:6 non-resident on-call rota (neonatal only, no acute paediatric commitment)

Attending weeks:

Dedicated consultant-of-the-week for the neonatal unit, plus a transitional care consultant week supporting postnatal transitional care



The successful candidates will provide senior medical leadership as we transition into an LNU, delivering high-quality, family-centred neonatal care in line with BAPM standards and the Maternity Incentive Scheme (MIS). You will have opportunities to shape the future of neonatal services at West Middlesex, develop special clinical interests, and contribute to education, training, and service development



Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.



Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.



We continually invest in our facilities, including a 30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an 80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.



We are committed to equal opportunities and believe that diversity drives innovation and excellence. As part of our dedication to equity, we actively welcome applications from individuals from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that diverse teams bring and are committed to creating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered to succeed."



If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.



Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.



About the Neonatal Service



The neonatal unit at West Middlesex currently supports around 5,000 deliveries each year, making it one of the busiest local services in the region. Until recently, the unit had 16 cots, comprising 4 HDU and 12 SCBU cots, and cared for babies above 1kg and 30 weeks gestation. With approval for re-designation to a Local Neonatal Unit, the service will expand to 18 cots, including 2 ITU stabilisation cots, 4 HDU cots and 12 SCBU cots, enabling care for more babies. This development ensures that more babies can remain on site, reducing the need for transfers and keeping families together.



The unit is supported by dedicated Tier 1 and Tier 2 medical rotas, a highly skilled nursing workforce, and an established multi-professional team including dietetics, pharmacy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy. There are six parent rooms on site, and transitional care is delivered on the postnatal ward with enhanced consultant support. Families are further supported by a strong neonatal community follow-up service, working closely with paediatric community nursing colleagues. The service is part of the North West London Neonatal Operational Delivery Network and maintains close clinical and academic links with Chelsea and Westminster NICU, one of the largest neonatal intensive care units in London.



About Paediatrics at West Middlesex



Children's services at West Middlesex are delivered through the Starlight inpatient ward, the Sunshine day unit, and the Paediatric Short Stay Unit (PSSU). These facilities, together with a dedicated paediatric emergency department and outpatient services, provide a comprehensive range of care for children and young people. The paediatric emergency department alone sees more than 34,000 children annually, with around 18,000 referred onwards for specialist paediatric input.



The service is supported by a large and enthusiastic consultant team, with expertise across general paediatrics, acute paediatrics, and subspecialties including respiratory, endocrinology, gastroenterology and neurology. Consultants provide continuity through an attending-of-the-week model on the general paediatric wards and deliver resident consultant cover in the evenings until 21:30. Paediatric services are managed through the West London Children's Healthcare alliance, a unique collaboration that brings together children's healthcare across multiple acute sites and community teams, ensuring coordinated care from birth through to adolescence. Neonatal services, although managed separately, are closely aligned with this pathway to ensure smooth transition between maternity, neonatal and paediatric car



Please refer to our detailed job description for more information.



The job description gives a general outline of the duties of the post and is not intended to be inflexible or a finite list of tasks. It may be varied from time to time after consultation with the post holder and in particular during regular job plan review where the strategic direction of the Trust or its constituent departments requires it