Job Advert
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 you will work closely with our existing 3 Consultant Anaesthetists as well as the Medical and Surgical teams of the Hospital, to deliver a first-rate service to the population of Lochaber and beyond.
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.
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 seven 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. Applicants must be on the GMC Specialist Register or be within 6 months of obtaining their CCT at the time of interview.
The current hospital has a 22 bedded Combined Assessment Unit for acute admissions, a two bedded high dependency unit with facility for short-term critical care, a 5 bed day bed area and a 12 bedded acute mixed/rehabilitation ward. The Belford has an excellent on-site laboratory service providing biochemistry, haematology and cross match services 24/7 in addition to on site radiology with ultrasound scanning and CT. There is a visiting echocardiography service.
The successful candidates will have well developed anaesthesia skills, excellent communication and problem solving skills, and be able to work flexibly as part of an integrated team. If you feel that you would like to refresh any areas of practice, we would be able to support this. You would be encouraged to develop your special interests as part of a network with specialists in Highland and across Scotland, through the Scottish Rural Health Partnership. We are open to discussions on working patterns to allow you to work across sites.
There are also exciting opportunities to be involved in research, with the University of the Highlands and Islands and Aberdeen University. An active interest in teaching is desirable as we have students coming from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and from around the world, on electives. We also have trainees in General Practice, Surgery, Foundation Years and plan to have more senior medical trainees with an interest in remote and rural medicine.
The Scottish Government and Department of Health have initiatives to ensure the sustainability of Remote and Rural Healthcare, including increased allocation of trainees and students.
Informal enquiries to;
Mr Bruce Tulloh Clinical Lead and Consultant in General Surgery 01397 702481
Dr Katrina Gannon, Consultant Anaesthetist on 01397 702481 katrina.gannon@nhs.scot
Emma Oates, Rural General Hospital Manager on 01397 702481. emma.oates@nhsh.nhs.scot
For useful information on the Highlands please go to https://www.visitscotland.com/places-to-go/highlands
Fort William is the outdoor capital of the UK offering unparalleled opportunities for outdoor leisure pursuits, stunning scenery and wildlife and good schools in a friendly and supportive community all within three hours drive of Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow. There are also excellent public transport links, with the train to Glasgow and sleeper to London as well as the Jacobite “Harry Potter” train to Mallaig. To get an idea of the hospital and surrounding countryside we have made a short video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOS-r_1LvFY.
Applicants who wish to work part time and flexibly are encouraged to apply. You will be on the General Medical Council Specialist Register with a Licence to Practise or within six months of obtaining CCT at time of interview. The posts can be adapted to suit the individual candidate and hours and job plan can be discussed on an individual basis
Applicants not currently on the specialist register would also be considered for a fixed term contract in the first instance.
Job reference: 210462
Closing date: Midnight Sunday 13th April 2025
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
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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.
Care and compassion | Dignity and respect | Openness, honesty and responsibility | Quality and teamwork |
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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.