Job Advert
NHS Dumfries and Galloway wish to appoint a new Acute Medicine Consultant based in the Combined Assessment Unit (CAU) in the new Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary (DGRI). The service transferred to the new hospital in 2017 and is a 347 bed district general hospital in the University town of Dumfries, serving a population of 148,000.
The post holder will work closely with the three existing Acute Medicine Consultants to provide senior presence and clinical leadership within the CAU, and will join a team of Consultant Physicians providing services in Acute/General Medicine at DGRI. The post holder will contribute to the management of the CAU and work to develop changes in practice to improve the quality of patient care or facilitate early discharge. He/she will contribute to clinical governance and audit within the Unit, and will provide teaching and supervision of nursing staff, junior medical staff and medical students. There will be an opportunity to maintain an existing specialty interest or Acute Medicine Special Skill, subject to negotiation and local service needs.
The post holder will:
Undertake the assessment and triage of acute medical patients referred from the Emergency Department or Primary care to the CAU. He/she will be supported in this role by dedicated junior medical staff rostered to the unit and will provide on-site clinical guidance for this team.
Establish an initial investigation and clinical management plan for patients admitted to CAU.
See and assess selected patients in an Ambulatory Emergency Care setting within the CAU.
Work with the existing Acute Medicine Consultants to develop alternatives to in-patient admission, supported by rapid access to diagnostic services.
Help to provide a Monday to Friday rapid access review service for patients referred from Primary Care.
Facilitate the rapid discharge of appropriate patients, including early transfer to Community Hospitals when appropriate.
Develop links with the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit, as detailed in the Royal College of Physicians of London documents, The Interface of Accident and Emergency and Acute Care Medicine, The Interface between Acute Medicine and Critical Care and Acute Medical Care ‘the right person, in the right setting – first time.
Partake in the general medical on-call rota at a frequency of 1 in 12 (1 in 6 weekends)
The post holder will also provide a key leadership role for the clinical services represented within the CAU. This will entail working with lead nurses and AHPs to develop protocols and care pathways. Participation in initiatives to improve clinical effectiveness and maximise the use of hospital facilities will be an important part of the job, and there will be opportunities to develop new initiatives to improve patient care. The post holder will be expected to participate in the delivery of educational programmes for medical and nursing staff within the CAU.
Within the CAU the post holder will work alongside surgical colleagues in the Combined Assessment Unit which accommodates medical and surgical patients undergoing initial assessment. The Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) is clinically managed by the surgical team.
The appointment will be on a whole-time basis under the terms of the new consultant contract. The job plan, which will be subject to review, will contain 9+1 programmed activities, including one allocated to supporting professional activities (SPAs). Additional SPAs may be incorporated into the job plan, depending on the time required to support the successful candidate’s professional activities and the needs of the service.
The hospital is based on the western utskirts of the town. The new hospital will ensure NHS Dumfries and Galloway staff are able to continue to provide high quality clinical care to the population of Dumfries and Galloway in a modern environment.
The region offers beautiful countryside, from rugged cliffs and sandy beaches to forests, hills and rolling plains. There is a wide range of activities on offer, with watersports, fishing, birdwatching, golf, mountain-biking or cycling along the network of rural roads and much more. House prices are low, schools are good and you are within 2 hours of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Lake District and Newcastle.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway offer a full relocation package.
Applications for part-time or job share employment are also welcome.
For any further details please contact Dr Sian Finlay, Acute Medicine Consultant (01387 241009) e-mail address - sian.finlay@nhs.net; Dr Alex McDonald, Acute Medicine and Critical Care Consultant (01387 246246) ext 31528, email address – alexander.mcdonald@nhs.net