Consultant Care of the Elderly | West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in Watford is seeking two Consultants in Care of the Elderly. This role offers a unique opportunity to improve elderly care services while balancing professional and personal life. Responsibilities include leading ward rounds, collaboration with community services, and contributing to service development. The ideal candidates will have specialist training in elderly care and excellent leadership abilities. Flexible working options are available.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Support for staff wellbeing and development

Qualifications

• Proven ability to provide high-quality, holistic care for older patients.
• Experience in leading ward rounds and multidisciplinary team meetings.
• Commitment to service development and innovation in elderly care.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily consultant ward rounds and MDT meetings.
• Supervise and educate resident doctors.
• Participate in the Care of the Elderly on-call rota.

Skills

Elderly care expertise

Leadership and mentorship

Collaboration with community services

Education

Specialist training in Care of the Elderly

Job description

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two Consultants in Care of the Elderly to join West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which is currently undergoing a major redevelopment programme, including the delivery of a brand-new hospital within the next few years. We are seeking a dedicated and motivated professional with a specialist interest in elderly care to join our established team of substantive consultants. The role is primarily 9am–5pm, with a one evening on-call commitment every 3 weeks for Care of the Elderly medicine (weekdays, optional beyond 5pm).

This post offers a unique opportunity to shape and enhance elderly care services within a busy but well-supported environment, working closely with community colleagues to improve outcomes for our patients. The successful candidate will:

• Provide high-quality, holistic care for older patients, both in hospital and community rehabilitation wards.
• Work with community partners to support patient flow, reduce length of stay, and ensure safe, timely discharges.
• Lead daily consultant ward rounds, multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, and provide supervision and education for resident doctors.
• Take part in the Care of the Elderly on-call rota, 1pm–9pm (with TOIL or PA adjustment, subject to agreement at interview).
• Contribute to service development, governance, and innovation in elderly care services.

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imaging models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

At West Herts we offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance. See the Trust flexible working page at https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking/

We kindly invite you to consider submitting an application. If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact [e-mail]. If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. We live by our Trust values: Empowered, Compassionate, Professional, and Inclusive, and are committed to creating a culture where every member of staff feels they belong.

Key responsibilities

• Daily consultant ward rounds and MDT leadership.
• Clinical education and supervision of trainees.
• Participation in on-call and, if agreed, optional weekend working (with additional PA/supplement).
• Close collaboration with community services and input into service development.
• Active contribution to clinical governance, audit, and quality improvement initiatives.
• For more details please read the job description.

This advert closes on Friday 10 Oct 2025.