Job Description

We are looking to recruit a dynamic locum Consultant to work in our established Diabetes and Endocrine Department at Bedford Hospital, which is part of the merged Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The appointment is for a full-time replacement post, however we would encourage anyone looking for flexible working or less than full time to apply as this may be accommodated. The role is to provide general endocrine and diabetes outpatient services at an exciting time with increases in diabetes technology and patient autonomy, changing ways of managing outpatient endocrinology as well as being part of the consultant team providing general inpatient care to the firm's general medical patients. We welcome colleagues with current sub-speciality interests and are very supportive of colleagues who are at an early stage in their consultant career and wish to develop a specialist interest.



The appointee will join a multidisciplinary team of Doctors, Nurses, Dieticians, Podiatrists, secretarial and support staff providing specialist inpatient and outpatient Diabetes and Endocrine services as well as General Medical inpatient services to the local population.



The appointee will work closely with the existing Diabetes and Endocrine Consultants in providing acute medical inpatient services, the full range of specialist diabetes services and DGH endocrinology services, including diagnosis, investigation and treatment of patients.

Out of Hours work and on call:

There may be opportunity to take part in the Acute Consultant on call rota. The on-call commitments for unselected admissions is 1:16 currently during the week and 1:8 at weekends. The on call duties include working in the Acute Assessment Unit 17:00 - 20:30 to post-take review patients, thereafter on call is undertaken off site /from home wherein a telephone response is made. For weekend on calls, attendance on site 08:30 -1600 or 1300- 20:30 based in AAU to post take review all patients (including newly admitted), there are two consultants covering the weekend take.



The post holder should contribute to the activity of the department and take on other roles and responsibilities as required including participation in the management of the service.



There is a continuous responsibility for ward based teaching and supervision of junior medical staff. Involvement in teaching of undergraduates, nurses and allied health professionals can be discussed if desired by the appointee. The appointee should attend clinical governance meetings and contribute to the Division's audit programme.



Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.



Our Values



We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.



Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.



A 10 PA week consists of 8.5 PAs direct clinical care and 1.5 PAs for Supporting Professional Activity (SPA).



The department has a flexible approach to clinic activities and flexes some clinics depending upon demand; however the total clinical time would remain constant. Only clinical/ward commitments have been specified. The year is based upon 42 working weeks per individual consultant and clinics are annualized.



Outpatient work



Endocrine and diabetes clinics would be agreed with the post holder depending upon his/her interest and needs of the department with the total clinical sessions to fit within job plan but would normally be five clinic sessions when off wards, being made up of general endocrine clinics and diabetes clinics including a more specialist clinic. Outpatient work is reduced when the consultant is doing ward duties. Endocrine clinics are based on 30 minute slots for most new patients (occasional thyroid new clinics are 20 minute slots) and 15 minutes for follow-ups keeping the ratio of New: FU approx. 1:3. The time slots for diabetes clinics depends on the type of clinic but ranges from 25 to 30 minutes per patient.



The consultant would have the opportunity to become trained in DAFNE and support the structured Education courses, if this training has not already been obtained. The appointee would be expected to be able to make full use of the latest technology used by our diabetes patients; training can be provided.



To provide support for the department depending upon availability of other consultants in the department (eg for urgent clinical queries, result reviews and podiatry review requests).

Inpatient work :

On a rotational basis with other consultants in the department:



To provide full consultant ward round of all the firm's inpatients 3 times a week (more depending upon clinical need), to assess all new and sick patients to the firm on a daily basis (Mon-Fri) and to perform, at least, a verbal review (board round) of all patients every day. Occasional Bank Holiday ward rounds are required on the base wards and are separate to job plan, taking time back in lieu.



To ensure a member of the team attends the daily 0830 AAU handover meeting.



To provide specialist advice/see referrals from other inpatient teams.



To provide supervision to the junior doctor team and flexible consultant input depending upon the seniority level of the available juniors.



When on the wards, to provide support to the inpatient diabetes nursing team if the lead inpatient consultant is not available. To take part in the weekend rota providing telephone support for the diabetes inpatient specialist nurses (currently 1 hour per day, weekends and bank holidays in rotation with other consultants).

MDT/clinical meetings :

Diabetes MDT/clinical meeting once a month, Wednesday 1200-1300



Thyroid MDT once a month Monday 1300-1345



Endocrine clinical meeting once a month



If involved in the Young Adult/Transition Diabetes Service, 2 per month



Pituitary SMDT as required