Consultant Psychiatrist in Older Adults (Seward)

Consultant Psychiatrist in Older Adults (Seward)

The closing date is 04 August 2026

We are seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist in Older People.

The Seward Lodge ward is similar to another functional unit for older people, Wren ward at Kingfisher Court. Wren ward had, between September 2024 to August 2025 (one year), 113 new admissions and 5 transfers in from other units. It discharged 85 patients and 33 were transferred out to other units. We expect a similar number of admissions to Seward Lodge. Most patients admitted to the functional ward will be under the Mental Health Act.

The post holder will have a dedicated office on the ward and a dedicated medical secretary. The post holder will be supported by trainee doctors.

The post holder will be expected to be involved in the on‑call consultant rota and carry out Mental Health Act assessments.

Main duties of the job

The postholder will be responsible for providing clinical care, RC responsibility and treatment for patients in Seward Lodge as well as clinical supervision for resident doctors.

To ensure that junior medical staff working with the post holder operate within the parameters of the New Deal and are Working Time Directive compliant.

To undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients.

To record clinical activity accurately and comprehensively and submit this promptly to the Information Department.

To participate in service and business planning activity for the locality and, as appropriate, for the whole mental health service.

About us

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is rated by the Care Quality Commission as an Outstanding provider of mental health and learning disability services.

Feedback from our staff about working for the Trust is very positive and, in the NHS national staff survey, we regularly see a high percentage of staff saying their role makes a difference to our service users and that they would recommend the Trust as a place to work.

Our people tell us they feel supported through a great development, wellbeing and work‑life balance offer and a highly compassionate, values‑driven culture.

We are equally proud of our staff, who live our values of being welcoming, kind, positive, respectful and professional so that together we provide great care and great outcomes for our service users and carers.

Job responsibilities

To manage, appraise and give professional supervision to junior medical staff as agreed by consultant colleagues and the medical director and in accordance with the Trust’s personnel policies and procedures. This may include assessing competences under the Modernising Medical Careers framework.

To participate in annual appraisal for consultants.

To attend and participate in the academic programme of the Trust and the team including lectures and seminars as part of the internal CPD programme.

To maintain professional registration with the General Medical Council, Mental Health Act Section 12(2) approval, and to abide by professional codes of conduct.

To participate annually in a job plan review with the clinical manager, which will include consultation with a relevant manager in order to ensure that the post is developed to take into account changes in service configuration and delivery associated with modernisation.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification.
• Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management.
• Included on the GMC Specialist Register in Old Age Psychiatry OR within six months.
• Relevant higher degree, e.g. MD, PhD, MSc or other additional clinical qualifications.

ELIGIBILITY

• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
• CCT in Psychiatry; OR Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register in psychiatry; OR within six months of achieving CCT/CESR at the time of interview.
• In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice.
• Section 12/Approved clinician approval.

CLINICAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Experience of the full range of clinical responsibilities expected of a consultant in old age psychiatry.
• Experience of close collaborative working with social care and other agencies.
• Experience of working with service users who have complex needs within old age services in psychiatry.
• Excellent clinical skills using bio‑psycho‑social perspective and wide medical knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty.
• Makes decisions based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others.
• Wide range of specialist and sub‑specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service.
• Excellent degree of medical knowledge in relation to old age.

ACADEMIC SKILLS LIFELONG LEARNING

• Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training.
• Participated in continuous professional development.
• Participated in research or service evaluation.
• Able to use and appraise clinical evidence.
• Has actively participated in clinical audit.
• Holds a full valid driving licence and access to a car (unless you have a disability as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995).
• Able to plan and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training relevant to this post.
• Reflected on purpose of CPD undertaken.
• Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications.
• Has led clinical audits leading to service change.
• Experience of organising and overseeing psychotherapy training programme for psychiatry trainees.

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.

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