Job Advert
Post: Consultant in Forensic Psychiatry (Medium Security)
Base: Rowanbank Hospital
Applications are invited for a full-time (10 PA) Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, to work with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Directorate of Forensic Mental Health and Learning Disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity for dynamic and enthusiastic individuals to join our service and take a full part in the ongoing development of the largest forensic service in Scotland.
The post is to provide Consultant input to the male acute admission and rehabilitation wards at Rowanbank medium secure unit. The post-holder will have responsibility for assessing and managing acute referrals for admission to the 12 bedded admission ward (Elm), working alongside another full-time consultant. They will also act as Responsible Medical Officer to 8 patients on one of the 4 male mental illness rehabilitation wards (Cedar). There is a full multi-disciplinary team including psychology, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, pharmacy and experienced nursing staff in both wards.
Rowanbank Clinic is a 74-bed purpose built medium secure unit based on the Stobhill Hospital site, in north-east Glasgow. Rowanbank Clinic is the regional medium secure unit for male mental illness patients with a catchment area that covers the West of Scotland region (NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde; NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Ayrshire & Arran; NHS Dumfries & Galloway; and the Argyll & Clyde part of NHS Highland). Rowanbank Clinic also has a mental illness service for women; and hosts the National Medium Secure Learning Disability service (12 beds; 8 male and 4 female).
Forensic Mental Health services in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde also include a well-established low secure service at Leverndale Hospital in south-west Glasgow. In total the low secure service has 52 forensic in-patient beds across 5 wards for men and women with mental illness or learning disability and forensic needs. The Directorate are in the process of commissioning additional low secure beds to further develop the service and manage demand.
The Directorate also has two Forensic Community Mental Health Teams covering Glasgow and Clyde areas, as well as the Forensic Community Learning Disability team covering the Health Board area. There are close links between all parts of the service.
Although not managed by the Directorate, medical staff from the Forensic Directorate provide sessional input to the NHS GG&C prison mental health teams (HMP Barlinnie, HMP Greenock and HMP Low Moss).
On call responsibilities cover the forensic psychiatry service, and the rota is separate to the adult mental health on-call rota. The forensic rota includes providing supervision to Higher Specialty trainees covering the local sheriff court diversion scheme (Glasgow, Paisley, Greenock and Dumbarton). On-call duties are shared with other consultant forensic psychiatrist colleagues on an approximately 1:13 rota.
Additional Roles
Successful candidates will be encouraged to maintain or develop special interests as part of their professional and career development. This could include a specific subspecialty outpatient clinic or an academic role between the service and the university department.
Education
Core and specialist trainees are attached on placement to the forensic service and consultants are encouraged to become clinical supervisors for training placements. Placements are also offered to undergraduate medical students as part of their psychiatry teaching. There are active CPD and audit programmes within the Forensic and wider mental health service for medical staff to access.
The job is offered as a full-time post on a 10 PA basis but applications will be considered from those wishing to work less than full-time. Up to 2 EPA’s may be available to undertake additional outpatient or management activity.
Additional Non DCC (up to 2 PA’s in total – Inclusive of 1 core SPA plus 1 additional non DCC) can be negotiated and agreed between the successful candidate and Management depending on the time required to support professional activities and the needs of the service.
All newly qualified Consultants are initially offered a minimum of 1 Core Supporting Professional Activity (SPA) which includes CPD, audit, clinical governance, appraisal, revalidation, job planning and management meetings. This will be reviewed within 6 months (or earlier if required) of appointment and revised upwards if additional responsibilities are agreed.
Applicants must have full registration with the General Medical Council, have a licence to practice and be eligible for inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register. Those trained in the UK should have evidence of Higher Specialist Training leading to a CCT in Forensic Psychiatry, or eligibility for specialist registration (CESR); or be within six months of confirmed entry at the date of interview. Non-UK applicants must demonstrate equivalent training.
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.