Foot and Ankle Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon

Job summary
Join our growing Foot and Ankle service and play a key role in shaping specialist care across County Durham and Darlington.

We are seeking an enthusiastic Consultant Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon with a specialist interest in diabetic foot care to support the expansion of our service and strengthen close working with Podiatry colleagues. This is an exciting opportunity to deliver high-quality care for patients with a wide range of foot and ankle conditions while contributing to service innovation and development.

Based at Darlington Memorial Hospital, the role includes outpatient, theatre and multidisciplinary commitments across Bishop Auckland Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham, with opportunities to support peripheral clinics.

Working within a supportive and forward-thinking multidisciplinary team, you will help drive excellent clinical outcomes and improve patient experience across the Trust.

A valid UK driving licence is essential due to the multi-site nature of the post.

Shape the future of Foot and Ankle and Diabetic Foot services with us.

Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will lead and expand an orthopaedic-led diabetic foot service, working closely with a highly skilled multidisciplinary team to deliver exceptional care for patients with complex diabetic foot conditions. They will work in partnership with colleagues across Diabetic Medicine, Podiatry, Vascular Surgery, Radiology and Infection Services, helping to provide coordinated, evidence-based care and improve patient outcomes.

The post holder will join an experienced team of three Foot and Ankle Consultants and contribute to the delivery of both elective and urgent foot and ankle services. This will include outpatient clinics, theatre sessions, multidisciplinary team meetings and specialist consultations, providing expert input into the management of complex cases. Full participation in on call rota requirements for general trauma.

The successful applicant will support the continued growth and development of Foot and Ankle services across the Trust, helping to shape innovative care pathways and enhance the patient experience. They will also contribute to teaching, clinical governance, quality improvement and service development activities.

Job responsibilities
The Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery department is a surgical specialty within the larger Surgical Care Group. The unit currently provides Orthopaedic Surgery services to the population of Durham, Darlington, North Yorkshire, Bishop Auckland, Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead.

Based from respective acute sites, DMH and UHND host 11 Orthopaedic consultants on each site. Sub specialties include: Hip and Knee Arthroplasty, Paediatrics, Upper Limb, Foot and Ankle and Hand Surgery.

Orthopaedics has a dedicated elective ward on the Bishop Auckland Site, with Orthopaedics being the leading speciality in the development and achievement of the Surgical Elective Hub.

There is intensive care and HDU provision on the two base sites (UHND and DMH).

A dedicated Orthopaedic surgery secretarial team is provided. A named secretary will be identified to support you with your administrative workload.

Key Responsibilities

• Form part of the collective responsibility held by all consultants within the speciality to deliver a safe and outstanding Trauma and Orthopaedic service and fully participate on the on call rota.
• Play an active role in planning future developments in the service.
• Hold continuing responsibility for the care of patients in your charge and for the proper functioning of the department.
• Be responsible for the professional and educational supervision of junior staff and participate in postgraduate and undergraduate teaching.
• Encourage and take part in research activities, which are considered an inherent part of normal clinical duties.
• Ensure you meet national requirements for Continuing Professional Development and attend the weekly half-day educational session held by the Directorate.
• Participate in clinical audit and clinical governance arrangements in line with national and local guidelines.
• Provide, free of charge, an opinion and statement of facts on any case where a claim is initiated against the Trust.
• Deputise in the absence of colleagues and ensure continuous patient care.

Person Specification
Essential Experience

• Comprehensive knowledge in Orthopaedic and Trauma surgery. Fellowship trained in Foot and Ankle Surgery. Experience with all aspects of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery.
• Provider status for Advanced Trauma Life Support.
• Specialist Diabetic foot knowledge and treatment competencies.

Desirable Experience

• Working with multidisciplinary teams.

Essential Special Requirements

• A valid UK driving licence.
• Fluent in English.

Desirable Special Requirements

• Willingness to become involved in departmental research projects and to lead some research or academic development.

Essential Qualifications

• MRCS, FRCS or equivalent, FRCS(Orth) or equivalent Registerable Medical Degree.

Desirable Qualifications

• Formal management training.

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• Previous management experience.
• Ability to supervise trainees.
• Willingness to perform management role within department and familiarity with the audit process.
• Regular involvement in audit and evidence of active teaching of junior doctors and nurses.
• A strong commitment to under-graduate education.
• Willingness and ability to participate equally in a multi-disciplinary team and work well within a team.
• Ability to liaise well with colleagues in other specialties, with good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to cope with stress, with good discipline and motivation.

Desirable Skills and Knowledge

• Certificate of Medical Education or other formal training programme.
• Instructor status for Advanced Trauma Life Support.

Essential Statutory Registration

• Full registration with the GMC, including licence to practise.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust, Hollyhurst Road, Darlington, County Durham, DL3 6HX, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Clinical Lead DMH, Mr Yahya Elhassan, Yahya.elhassan@nhs.net, 07440564062

Details
Date posted: 26 October 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: £113,565 to £150,569 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: C9439-2627-RP-N201

Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success. For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply. Please note that we may close any vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications have been received. We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.