Clinical Lead and Salaried GP

NHS National Services Scotland; Melrose; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Part time

Job summary

NHS Borders is seeking an experienced and confident GP to provide clinical leadership and high-quality General Medical Services for patients registered with the Challenging Patient Scheme. This unique role shapes a dedicated service for patients removed from a GP list while supporting safe, effective care and integration back into mainstream practice.

The post offers 8 hours per fortnight, flexible days, and a focus on governance, clinical leadership, and service improvement within a supportive

Qualifications

• Fully registered medical practitioner with a licence to practise, included on the GMC GP Register and holding a Certificate of Completion of Training in General Practice or equivalent.
• Previous experience in general practice is essential, along with an understanding of issues surrounding patients with challenging behaviour.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational and strategic development, evaluation and clinical governance of the Challenging Patient Scheme.
• Provide General Medical Services through telephone, virtual and face-to-face consultations in an agreed secure environment, supported by appropriately trained staff.
• Review patients regularly, support reablement and contribute to Patient Risk Panel discussions and discharge planning.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and ensure relevant systems, including eKIS, are kept up to date.
• Work collaboratively with GP practices, addiction, psychology, mental health, social work, secondary care and voluntary sector colleagues.
• Contribute to audit, service improvement, protocols, training, adverse event reporting and responses to complaints.
• Undertake relevant chargeable work in line with the GMS Contract and NHS Borders arrangements.

Job description

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS AN INTERNAL VACANCY ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT NHS SCOTLAND STAFF

OUR VALUES IN ACTION

Compassion Kindness Integrity Teamwork Excellence

LOCATION: HOME OR PRACTICE BASED FOR TELEPHONE APPOINTMENTS, WITH FACE-TO-FACE CONSULTATIONS AT BORDERS GENERAL HOSPITAL, MELROSE, OR ANOTHER AGREED APPROPRIATE LOCATION.

DEPARTMENT: CHALLENGING PATIENT SCHEME, PRIMARY & COMMUNITY SERVICES

CONTRACT TYPE: PERMANENT, PART-TIME, 8 HOURS PER FORTNIGHT

SALARY: DETAILS AVAILABLE ON APPLICATION

NHS Borders is seeking an experienced and confident GP to provide clinical leadership and high-quality General Medical Services for patients registered with our Challenging Patient Scheme. This is a distinctive opportunity to shape and develop a dedicated service for patients whose behaviour has led to removal from a previous GP list, while supporting safe, effective care and, where appropriate, their return to mainstream general practice.

What you will do

• Lead the operational and strategic development, evaluation and clinical governance of the Challenging Patient Scheme.
• Provide General Medical Services through telephone, virtual and face-to-face consultations in an agreed secure environment, supported by appropriately trained staff.
• Review patients regularly, support reablement and contribute to Patient Risk Panel discussions and discharge planning.
• Maintain accurate clinical records and ensure relevant systems, including eKIS, are kept up to date.
• Work collaboratively with GP practices, addiction, psychology, mental health, social work, secondary care and voluntary sector colleagues.
• Contribute to audit, service improvement, protocols, training, adverse event reporting and responses to complaints.
• Undertake relevant chargeable work in line with the GMS Contract and NHS Borders arrangements.

About you

You will be a fully registered medical practitioner with a licence to practise, included on the GMC GP Register and holding a Certificate of Completion of Training in General Practice or equivalent. Previous experience in general practice is essential, along with an understanding of the issues surrounding patients with challenging behaviour.

You will bring strong clinical judgement, leadership capability and excellent communication and de-escalation skills. You should be self‑motivated, able to work independently, remain calm in unpredictable situations and manage competing priorities with a confident, supportive and collaborative approach. MRCGP is desirable.

Working pattern and support

The post offers 8 hours per fortnight, worked as one full day or two half days on a weekday within the hours of 08:00–20:00, with flexibility by agreement. The clinical and leadership elements are expected to be split broadly 50:50, subject to service development and agreement with the Associate Medical Director, Primary and Community Services.

NHS Borders provides medical indemnity and actively supports postgraduate education and continuing professional development. The role also offers access to appraisal, leadership and management development, professional coaching and mentoring, the NHS pension scheme and annual leave on a pro‑rata basis.

Whether you’re early in your career or looking to take the next step into a more senior role, NHS Borders offers a supportive environment where you can grow, influence change, and make a real impact.

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service.

As part of the pre‑employment checks for a preferred candidate, NHS Scotland Boards will check your entitlement to work in the UK. It can be evidenced through a number of routes including specific types of visa as well as EU settled and pre‑settled status. To find out more about these routes of permission, please refer to the GOV.UK website.

For specific types of post, if you do not have the necessary eligibility to work in the UK, it might be possible (though not guaranteed) to secure sponsorship via a UK Skilled Worker/Health & Care Worker Visa. However, this is only possible if the employer is a licenced Sponsor, and if the post does not fall below the current minimum salary threshold or ‘going rate’. Further information on these criteria can be found.

It is ESSENTIAL that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored BEFORE submitting your application form.

***PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept late applications so please ensure your application is submitted early***

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.

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