Consultant in Benign Colorectal and General Surgery

Bedfordshire Hospitals; Luton; On-site; GBP 114,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for a Consultant in Benign Colorectal and General Surgery at the Luton & Dunstable University Hospital. The post includes running colorectal and general clinics, contributing to the on-call rota, performing endoscopy and theatre sessions, and developing your specialty interests within Colorectal and General Surgery.

You will work with a dynamic Lower GI team, uphold high clinical standards and help advance pathways for colorectal

Qualifications

• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in General Surgery
• Able to take full and independent responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision
• Experience in Laparoscopic Surgery
• Experience in diagnostic and therapeutic Colonoscopy in Endoscopy with JAG accreditation or to be working towards this
• Comprehensive knowledge in Colorectal surgery and ability to offer expert clinical opinion on range of problems, both emergency and elective within General surgery
• Evidence of subspecialty training or Colorectal fellowship out of region

Responsibilities

• The post holder will work with the Lower GI team in the Colorectal service and will support Clinical Governance and the Colorectal Cancer and Benign Gastro Multi-disciplinary team. They will attend colorectal theatres, colorectal clinics and diagnostic endoscopy.
• To work with the colorectal surgeons to provide post-operative care including returns to theatre if there are complications.
• Maintenance of the highest clinical standards in the management of all colorectal and general surgical patients
• To work closely with the General Surgery department in the management of General Surgery patients requiring admission.
• Teaching and training of intermediate grade and junior medical staff, nursing staff and medical students.
• Participation in the emergency on-call rotas.

Education

MB ChB or Equivalent

FRCS (General Surgery) or equivalent

Full GMC registration with a licence to practise

Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register, CCT or within 6 months

Job description

Consultant in Benign Colorectal and General Surgery

NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant

Main area General Surgery Grade NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 10 sessions per week (10 sessions per week) Job ref 418-M-GS-311

Site Luton & Dunstable University Hospital Town Luton Salary £113,565 - £150,569 Dependant on experience Salary period Yearly Closing 08/11/2026 23:59 Interview date 04/12/2026

Job overview

It is an exciting time to be joining Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which has resulted from the merger of The Luton and Dunstable University Hospital and Bedford Hospital NHS Trusts.

The Luton site is undergoing a major redevelopment programme to include a new theatre unit comprising integrated theatres and futuristic equipment.

This is a new post and is part of a dynamic and enthusiastic team of 6 Lower GI Consultants delivering safe and effective care for Colorectal and General patients. This is a new post to support the development of Colorectal surgery. The appointee will be based at Luton & Dunstable University Hospital and run colorectal, general outpatient clinics, participate in the General Surgery on-call Rota, endoscopy and run theatre sessions.

The appointee will be encouraged and supported in developing their own specialty interests in Colorectal and General Surgery within the overall job plan and to improve the pathway depending on the interest of the candidate and the needs of the service.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work with the Lower GI team in the Colorectal service and will support Clinical Governance and the Colorectal Cancer and Benign Gastro Multi-disciplinary team. They will attend colorectal theatres, colorectal clinics and diagnostic endoscopy.

To work with the colorectal surgeons to provide post-operative care including returns to theatre if there are complications.

Maintenance of the highest clinical standards in the management of all colorectal and general surgical patients

To work closely with the General Surgery department in the management of General Surgery patients requiring admission.

Teaching and training of intermediate grade and junior medical staff, nursing staff and medical students.

Participation in the emergency on-call rotas.

Candidates unable for personal reasons to work full-time are invited to apply.

Residence is required within ten miles by road or thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital.

Assessment Date: 4th July 2025

Interview Date: 18th July 2025

Working for our organisation

Our Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

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.

As this role is within scope of the current legislation COVID19 vaccination status will remain part of our routine Occupational Health check.

Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and your patients.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The appointments will be subject to full Occupational Health Clearance and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for the successful candidates prior to commencement.

Applicants must be fully registered on the UK General Medical Council.

Applicants must be on the Specialist Register or apply to be on the specialist register/obtaining CCT within 6 months of the date of interview.

If you have not received correspondence inviting you for interview within 28 days of the closing date, you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

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

AAC closes: 8.11.26

AAC date: 04.12.26

Person specification

Qualifications and Registration

• MB ChB or Equivalent.
• FRCS (General Surgery) or equivalent
• Full GMC registration with a licence to practise is mandatory before employment commences
• Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register, CCT or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview

Clinical Experience

• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in General Surgery
• Able to take full and independent responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision
• Experience in Laparoscopic Surgery
• Experience in diagnostic and therapeutic Colonoscopy in Endoscopy with JAG accreditation or to be working towards this.
• Comprehensive knowledge in Colorectal surgery and ability to offer expert clinical opinion on range of problems, both emergency and elective within General surgery.
• Evidence of subspecialty training or Colorectal fellowship out of region

Clinical Governance

• Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance and individual responsibilities it implies
• Knowledge of the principles of evidence-based practice
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and direct experience of audit.
• An interest which improves the General Surgery and colorectal pathway in all aspects
• Evidence of implementing relevant evidence-based medicine
• Implementation of evidence-based guidelines
• Participation in relevant national audits.

Research

• Knowledge of the principles of research and ability to interpret and apply clinical research
• Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical and surgical problems
• Recent published clinical research in peer reviewed journal
• Ability to supervise postgraduate research

Teaching

• Knowledge and ability to teach all grades of trainees and medical students.
• Understands learner centered teaching.
• Completed a Teaching the Teachers or similar course within two years of appointment or agree to attend such a training course within one year of appointment.
• Interest in teaching medical, nursing and other groups of staff

Management and Administrative Experience

• Evidence of management experience or training.
• Ability to advise on efficient and smooth running of specialist service
• Ability to manage and lead department
• Ability to organise and manage out-patient priorities and waiting lists
• Ability to share departmental management duties e.g. staff rotas.

Personal attributes

• Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-disciplinary basis with all levels of staff
• Able to organise, prioritise workload and the ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
• Ability to take responsibility and show evidence of leadership
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks
• Willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national level
• Able and willing to work with consultant colleagues in equitable sharing of clinical, non-clinical and on-call duties
• Possess an enquiring and critical approach to work
• Ability to present effectively to an audience, using variety of methods and to respond to questions
• Satisfactory Trust health screening prior to appointment
• Have a commitment to CME/CPD
• Satisfactory DBS check

Knowledge and Standards

• Knowledge and Experience of Safeguarding for Children and Adults.
• Knowledge and experience of general and Colorectal
• Has a thorough knowledge and understanding of Good Medical Practice set out by the GMC.
• Confirmation of satisfactory appraisal signed off by Responsible Officer
• Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Mr Douglas Whitelaw Job title Consultant and Clinical Director Telephone number 01582 497104 Additional information

To arrange an informal visit to the Hospital, please arrange an appointment with Mr Whitelaw, Pancreatobiliary and Bariatric Surgery Consultant (Clinical Director), via his secretary, Karen King on 01582 497104, [e-mail]

or David Cox – General Manager - General Surgery and Gastroenterology via email [e-mail]