Consultant in Adult Prison Psychiatry (HMP Bronzefield)

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust; Ashford; On-site; GBP 109,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist to join their team at HMP Bronzefield. The role involves providing direct psychiatric care, conducting assessments, and collaborating with a supportive multi-disciplinary team. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and experience in the mental health field. This position offers a competitive salary in line with NHS standards and is vital for improving healthcare for women in custody.

Qualifications

• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practice at the time of appointment.
• Relevant Professional Qualification or evidence of ongoing professional development.
• Approved clinician status OR able to achieve within 3 months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct psychiatrist input into prisoners suffering from mental disorder.
• Conduct psychiatric/medication reviews without carrying a caseload.
• Assessment, treatment, care planning and multiagency liaison for mental health issues.

Skills

Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective

Excellent knowledge in specialty

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English

Ability to manage conflict and difficult conversations

Experience of Quality Improvement

Education

Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise

CCT in forensic psychiatry

Higher degree (Msc, LLM, MD or PhD)

Job description

Go back Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Consultant in Adult Prison Psychiatry (HMP Bronzefield)

The closing date is 11 January 2026

CNWL are seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist to join HMP Bronzefield; the vacancy has arisen as the current post holder is leaving. This is an established team that was created in 2004 to offer a wide range of specialist healthcare service to over 500 women.

The post-holder will have consultant and RC responsibility for service users. They will be supported by the multi-disciplinary team and will be managed by the Clinical Director.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to provide direct psychiatrist input into prisoners suffering from mental disorder. The existing service works along the lines of a traditional Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) based within the prison with prominent elements of crisis response and risk management.

The post-holder is not expected to screen new referrals, rather, follow up of referrals already having been assessed by a member of the MDT. Clinics will typically have 4 patients to review per session.

The post-holder will review patients on the inpatient unit when required.

The post-holder is not expected to carry a caseload. Caseloads will be carried by the CPNs and the post-holder will be expected to conduct psychiatric/medication reviews.

About us

CNWL's Health & Justice Service Directorate is experienced in applying for prison and secure settings contracts. We currently provide a range of services (including mental health, substance misuse, sexual health and primary care) to the following prisons: HMPs Bronzefield, High Down, Downview, Coldingley, Aylesbury, Felltham and Woodhill, We also provide community forensic services in North West London, Liaison and Diversion services to police stations and Magistrates' Courts (Uxbridge, Hillington, Willesden and Westminster), to the Central Criminal and Harrow Crown Court, as well as low secure specialist forensic services at Park Royal.

The Mental Health Team in HMP Bronzefield works closely with prison staff and other health and non-health contracted services to provide a person-centered, continuous service that promotes positive health and social care outcomes, sustainable resettlement and reduction in re-offending.

HMP & YOI Bronzefield is a modern purpose-built prison for women which opened in 2004. It performs the function of a local prison, accepting prisoners direct from the courts. Accommodation: 3 main residential units holding approximately 135 women each. A fourth residential unit holding 77 women was opened in 2010. Bronzefield also has Level 4 Healthcare provision with inpatient facilities for 18 women. A smaller 10-bed Help & Direction Unit which served as an intermediary unit between Healthcare and main residence was decommissioned by MoJ in 2010.

Job responsibilities

The post-holder will accept that the description of duties is not exhaustive. The detail of duties will be reviewed in the light of the post-holder's experience and the needs of the service.

Clinical duties

Assessment (including the assessment of risk), treatment, care planning and multiagency liaison for people with mental health problems in the prisons. CPA management of care. Undertake Mental Capacity Assessments. Contribute to planned emergency interventions. Liaison with prisons, courts, statutory and non-statutory agencies, concerning all aspects of the mental health care management of men with mental health problems in the prisons. To work closely with the Manager, Psychologists and other lead professionals to provide clinical leadership and ensure safe, supportive care. To liaise closely with other medical, clinical and managerial staff to provide high quality care pathways. Participation, when relevant, in the ACCT (self-harm / suicide prevention) processes. Practice in accordance with NICE and other relevant Guidelines and CNWL Trust policy. Accurate record keeping according to Trust and professional guidelines (data protection legislation and information governance standards). Application of the Mental Health Act including sections 48/49 and 47/49.

Clinical governance

Expected contribution to clinical governance and responsibility for setting and monitoring standards. Participation in clinical audit/QI. Participation in service/team evaluation and the planning of future service developments.

General Duties

Contribution to Care Quality through audit, research, and participation in local and Trust wide care quality processes, including CQC inspections. Practice in accordance with NICE and other relevant guidelines. To contribute to ensuring that the Health & Justice Directorate and the Trust as a whole achieve the activity, performance and outcome targets as agreed with key stakeholders. Contribution to service development (care pathways/clinical protocols/new service development) according to need and in agreement with the Clinical Director. To undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients. To record clinical activity accurately and comprehensively, and submit this promptly to the Information Department. To participate in service and business planning activity for the locality and, as appropriate, for the whole mental health service. To participate in annual appraisal for consultants. To attend and participate in the academic programme of the Trust, including lectures and seminars as part of the internal CPD programme. To maintain professional registration with the General Medical Council, Mental Health Act Section 12(2) approval, and to abide by professional codes of conduct. To participate annually in a job plan review with the Clinical Director, which will include consultation with a relevant manager in order to ensure that the post is developed to consider changes in service configuration and delivery associated with modernisation. To work with local managers and professional colleagues in ensuring the efficient running of services, and share with consultant colleagues in the medical contribution to management. To comply with the Trusts agreed policies, procedures, standing orders and financial instructions, and to take an active role in the financial management of the service and support the medical director and other managers in preparing plans for services.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Relevant Professional Qualification or evidence of ongoing professional development
• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.
• Included on the GMC Specialist Register OR within six months.
• Approved clinician status OR able to achieve within 3 months of appointment
• Approved under S12 OR able to achieve with 3 months of appointment
• Management and leadership course/qualification
• Higher degree (Msc, LLM, MD or PhD)
• CCT in forensic psychiatry or Forensic experience or other forensic qualification

PPREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

• Clinical leadership/management experience
• Track record of improving quality in a service
• Experience of job planning
• Experience of resolving conflict and complex performance management issues

CLINICIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE

• Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho- social perspective and wide medical knowledge
• Excellent knowledge in specialty
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Ability to manage Clinical Complicity
• Ability to manage conflict and difficult conversations
• Ability to make decision based on evidence and experience including the contribution of other
• Able to meet duties under MHA and MCA
• Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to the post within NHS or comparable service
• Experience of Quality Improvement
• Membership of committee/relevant regulatory body CQC preparation
• Contract/procurement knowledge

ACADEMIC SKILLS & LIFELONG LEARNING

• Participated in continuous professional development
• Able to use and appraise clinical evidence
• Ability to work constructively within MDT environments without complaints / concerns
• Has actively participated in clinical audit
• Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to equality & diversity
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptable in working pattern
• Demonstrates energy, enthusiasm & initiative in pursuing innovation and the highest standards for patients, juniors, others, colleagues & the organisation.
• IT literate
• Demonstrable ability to cope under pressure
• Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications.
• Has led clinical audits leading to service change

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.

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

£109,725 to £145,478 a year
London Weighting of £2,162 per annum, pro rata