Consultant in Benign Colorectal and General Surgery

Job summary
It is an exciting time to be joining Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which has resulted from the merger of The Luton and Dunstable University Hospital and Bedford Hospital NHS Trusts.

The Luton site is undergoing a major redevelopment programme to include a new theatre unit comprising integrated theatres and futuristic equipment.

This is a new post and is part of a dynamic and enthusiastic team of 6 Lower GI Consultants delivering safe and effective care for Colorectal and General patients. This is a new post to support the development of Colorectal surgery. The appointee will be based at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital and run colorectal, general outpatient clinics, participate in the General Surgery on-call Rota, endoscopy and run theatre sessions.

The appointee will be encouraged and supported in developing their own specialty interests in Colorectal and General Surgery within the overall job plan and to improve the pathway depending on the interest of the candidate and the needs of the service.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will work with the Lower GI team in the Colorectal service and will support Clinical Governance and the Colorectal Cancer and Benign Gastro Multi-disciplinary team. They will attend colorectal theatres, colorectal clinics and diagnostic endoscopy.

• To work with the colorectal surgeons to provide post-operative care including returns to theatre if there are complications.
• Maintenance of the highest clinical standards in the management of all colorectal and general surgical patients.
• To work closely with the General Surgery department in the management of General Surgery patients requiring admission.
• Teaching and training of intermediate grade and junior medical staff, nursing staff and medical students.
• Participation in the emergency on-call rotas.

Candidates unable for personal reasons to work full-time are invited to apply.

Residence is required within ten miles by road or thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital.

Closing Date: 08 November 2026

Assessment Date: TBC

Interview Date: TBC

About us
Our Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

As this role is within scope of the current legislation COVID19 vaccination status will remain part of our routine Occupational Health check.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and your patients.

Details
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: £113,565 to £150,569 a year dependent on experience
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 418-M-GS-311

Essential qualifications and registration

• MB ChB or Equivalent.
• FRCS (General Surgery) or equivalent
• Full GMC registration with a licence to practise is mandatory before employment commences
• Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register, CCT or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview

Desirable qualifications

• Post graduate qualification MSc, MD, PhD, MA, Masters in Education

Essential clinical experience

• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in General Surgery
• Able to take full and independent responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision
• Experience in Laparoscopic Surgery
• Experience in diagnostic and therapeutic Colonoscopy in Endoscopy with JAG accreditation or to be working towards this.
• Comprehensive knowledge in Colorectal surgery and ability to offer expert clinical opinion on range of problems, both emergency and elective within General surgery.

Desirable clinical experience

• Evidence of subspecialty training or Colorectal fellowship out of region

Essential clinical governance, research and teaching

• Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance and individual responsibilities it implies
• Knowledge of the principles of evidence-based practice
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and direct experience of audit.
• An interest which improves the General Surgery and colorectal pathway in all aspects
• Knowledge of the principles of research and ability to interpret and apply clinical research
• Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical and surgical problems
• Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students.
• Understands learner centered teaching.
• Completed a Teaching the Teachers or similar course within two years of appointment or agree to attend such a training course within one year of appointment.

Desirable clinical governance, research and teaching

• Evidence of implementing relevant evidence-based medicine
• Implementation of evidence-based guidelines
• Participation in relevant national audits.
• Recent published clinical research in peer reviewed journal
• Ability to supervise postgraduate research
• Interest in teaching medical, nursing and other groups of staff

Essential management and personal attributes

• Evidence of management experience or training.
• Ability to advise on efficient and smooth running of specialist service
• Ability to manage and lead department
• Ability to organise and manage out-patient priorities and waiting lists
• Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-disciplinary basis with all levels of staff
• Able to organise, prioritise workload and the ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
• Ability to take responsibility and show evidence of leadership
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks
• Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national level
• Able and willing to work with consultant colleagues in equitable sharing of clinical, non-clinical and on-call duties
• Possess an enquiring and critical approach to work
• Ability to present effectively to an audience, using variety of methods and to respond to questions
• Satisfactory Trust health screening prior to appointment
• Have a commitment to CME/CPD
• Knowledge and Experience of Safeguarding for Children and Adults.
• Knowledge and experience of general and Colorectal
• Has a thorough knowledge and understanding of Good Medical Practice set out by the GMC.
• Confirmation of satisfactory appraisal signed off by Responsible Officer
• Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies.

Desirable management and personal attributes

• Ability to share departmental management duties e.g. staff rotas.
• Satisfactory DBS check

Employer details
Employer name: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/

For questions about the job, contact: Mr Douglas Whitelaw, Consultant and Clinical Director, 01582497104

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. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.