Consultant in Anaesthetics and Pain Medicine

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Are you confident and capable in a broad range of emergency and clinical scenarios? Do you value a good work-life balance? Are you looking to work in an area of outstanding natural beauty, where you are a valued team member and can shape your career and future? Would you enjoy having time to deliver excellence?

We are looking for you.

As a Consultant in Anaesthetics and Pain Medicine you will work closely with our existing 3 Consultant Anaesthetists as well as the Medical and Surgical teams of the Hospital and the Multidisciplinary Chronic Pain management Service, to deliver a first rate service to the population of Lochaber and beyond.

The Chronic Pain Management Service, covers a wide area from John o Groats to the Mull of Kintyre about a third of the Scottish land area, with a population of 240,000. 

Situated at the foot of Ben Nevis, Fort William is often referred to as the outdoor capital of the UK. The Belford Hospital has an established reputation in the management of trauma, particularly from mountaineering accidents, skiing and mountain biking and also undertakes a variety of appropriate elective surgery. The acute specialties of Medicine and Surgery are supported by modern, comprehensive Anaesthetic services. All specialties provide 24/7 (non resident) consultant cover (including cover for A&E), this is supported by a well-equipped HDU, comprehensive laboratory and radiology services (including on-site ultrasound and CT). The on call frequency is being offset by a lighter workload during the working week. We manage our emergency cases on site, care is consultant led and delivered. Resuscitation and stabilisation of the critically ill or severely injured, to allow transfer to definitive care, regional intensive care unit or tertiary centres forms a major part of our workload. Our clinical services are highly valued by the local population and also by the large tourist population.

The chronic pain management service is supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Specialist Physiotherapy, Psychology and a Service Improvement Manager as well as excellent admin staff. The Highlands is a huge area, but mostly quite sparsely populated. As a result, much of our work is done via telehealth and we are networking with GPs, physiotherapists, and First Contact Practitioners to improve equity and quality of pain management for people where they live.

Your personal development as a doctor and the maintenance of your clinical skills are well supported. Video conferencing, national support networks, local and organisational level support are in place to ensure your specialist skills are valued and maintained.

Come and be part of our team in a place where you can provide high quality medical care whilst living in the most spectacular scenery in the British Isles. Away from work you can enjoy life in a vibrant community, with excellent indoor facilities in addition to the obvious attractions of the great outdoors. And if you want to swap the Northern Lights for the 'bright lights', you are within reach of Glasgow and Edinburgh, while London is only a Sleeper-train away.

This post is offered on a ten programmed activity basis as outlined in the proposed job plan. The frequency of on-call is 1:4 with prospective cover. The on-call frequency attracts a supplement of 8% in line with the Terms and Conditions of Service. The successful applicant will be required to have wide knowledge and experience in anaesthesia and critical care as well as chronic pain management. Applicants must be on the GMC Specialist Register or be within 6 months of obtaining their CCT at the time of interview.

Informal enquiries to Dr Stephen Gilbert, Clinical Lead and Consultant in Anaesthetics and Pain Medicine, Dr Katrina Gannon, Consultant Anaesthetist on and Emma Oates, Rural General Hospital Manager on .

For useful information on the Highlands please go to https://www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/highlands

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

• You should apply for this post by completing the application process on Jobtrain.
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NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute.

As a board we strive to ensure the environment is conducive to nurturing a positive culture, supported and delivered through our NHS and Social Care values.

NHS Scotland is reducing their full time working week from 37.5 to 37 hours per week from 1 April 2024 but with no change in pay.  This reduction will also be applied pro rata for part time staff.  This advert and any subsequent offer/contract of employment therefore reflects the new working hours.  However, as not all service areas will be able to adopt the 37 hour working week immediately from 1 April 2024, you may be required to work up to an additional 30 minutes per week for a temporary period for which you would be paid until the service you are working in changes rosters or working patterns to accommodate the new reduced working week.  If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Recruiting Board.