Consultant General Medicine with an interest in Gastroenterology

NHS; Bedford; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitals trust in Bedfordshire is seeking a Consultant in General Medicine with an interest in Gastroenterology. The role involves providing patient-focused care, participating in outpatient clinics and MDT meetings, and supervising junior staff. Candidates must have a medical degree and relevant experience. Join a high-performing team committed to innovative care delivery and professional development.

Benefits

Access to high-quality training and development

State-of-the-art facilities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Full GMC Registration required.
• Experience in gastroenterology clinics and managing patients with eating disorders.
• JAG accredited in Endoscopy or working towards it.

Responsibilities

• Provide a consultant-based service to gastro patients.
• Participate in weekly MDT meetings.
• Supervise junior medical staff.

Skills

Excellent clinical skills

Team collaboration

Time management

Education

Medical Degree

MRCP or equivalent

CCT or CESR

Tools

Endoscopy equipment

Job description

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Consultant General Medicine with an interest in Gastroenterology

Closing date: 27 October 2025

We are looking to recruit a dynamic Consultant Physician to join our Gastroenterology team at Bedford Hospital which is part of the merged Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Innovation in the delivery of acute gastroenterology care on the Bedford site is a key objective of this role.

The appointee will work with colleagues to cover the Acute Gastroenterology service, primarily covering the ward, recent inpatient hot clinic returns, virtual ward follow ups, some provision to eating disorder service and to gastroenterology 2WW and Non‑specific symptom clinics and to perform endoscopy depending on experience.

On‑call requirement with participation in the out of room endoscopy rota will also be a core requirement.

The appointee will provide a high quality, efficient, patient focused and Consultant led acute gastroenterology in‑patient service.

Candidates are advised to discuss the compatibility of special interests prior to application.

We are restructuring the service to provide maximum Consultant shop floor presence to facilitate early patient reviews and early senior decision making with the addition of this post to the ward gastroenterology consultant.

Main duties of the job

• Provide a consultant‑based service to the patients attending the gastro ward with most duties being ward round based to ensure early consultant review and decision making.
• The post holder will be expected to participate in gastroenterology ward rounds on weekday mornings.
• The ward MDT meeting will take place every weekday where discussion of every patient’s case and plan can be communicated to all members of staff.
• Carry out post‑take rounds if required, attend other ward rounds as necessary, outpatient clinics and hospital consultations.
• Supervise junior medical staff, including clinical and educational supervision if appropriate expertise.
• Participate in the Multidisciplinary Team meetings where appropriate.
• To develop an agreed sub‑speciality interest as agreed with the Trust and dependant on this being in keeping with the Trust’s strategic plans.
• Participate in the management of the service.
• Contribute to both postgraduate and undergraduate teaching and education.
• Undertake high quality medical audit projects and participate in the collection of data required to meet national quality standards.
• Implement audit and research findings as appropriate in clinical practice.
• Prepare and participate in an annual appraisal in accordance with Trust policy.
• Participate and comply with the requirements for Continuing Professional Development and revalidation as laid down by the Royal College of Physicians.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state‑of‑the‑art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

The successful applicant will work with existing Consultants to provide a comprehensive service for patients within Gastroenterology. The successful applicant would be encouraged to develop a specialist interest in order to complement the existing care of the service.

The candidate is to be competent in therapeutic, emergency upper GI endoscopy, to support the out of hours rota on a 1 in 7 basis.

The Trust, along with Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (as well as other health and social care partners) have embarked on a strategic change programme known as the BLMK Integrated Care System (ICS). As a result of this the successful candidate may be required to adapt their job plan in the future to work across more than one site within the area; this may also include delivering aspects of care in community settings which supports the Trusts vertical integration ambition.

The Trust is part of the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Health and Care Partnership (Integrated Care System) and within this the Bedfordshire Care Alliance. As a result of this, the successful candidate may be required to adapt their job plan in the future to work across more than one site within the area; this may also include delivering aspects of care in community settings which supports the Trusts vertical integration strategy.

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Medical Degree
• MRCP or equivalent
• MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research

GMC Registration

• Full GMC Registration (GMC Licence to Practice is mandatory before employment commences)
• Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register via CCT (or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview) or CESR (must be on Specialist Register at time of applying)

Clinical Experience

• Excellent all round experience of DGH work
• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in General/Acute Medicine
• Experience in gastroenterology clinics and management of patients with eating disorders
• Able to take full and independent responsibility for clinical work and delivering service without direct supervision
• JAG accredited in Endoscopy or working towards

Clinical Effectiveness

• Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
• Participation in relevant local audits
• Experience of guideline appraisal
• Ability to interpret and apply clinical research
• Participation in relevant national audits

Teaching

• Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students
• Has attended Teaching the Teachers or similar course

Personal Skills

• Ability to co‑operate in a democratic team environment
• Flexible attitude, team player with good time management

Personal circumstances

• Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on‑call emergencies
• Fit to undertake the role with satisfactory Occupational Health clearance
• Satisfactory DBS clearance

Clinical Governance

• Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust