Consultant in Forensic Psychiatry

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.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran is seeking to recruit a dynamic and enthusiastic Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist to join the Forensic Mental Health Service based in Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine.

You will be welcomed into a friendly and forward thinking team of consultants where peer support is valued and protected.

The post will be supported by appropriate medical secretary time and junior doctor input. There is also ample opportunity for teaching and supervision with medical students from Glasgow and Dundee medical schools.

You will be one of four Forensic Psychiatrists (total 3.3 WTE) working flexibly across Ayrshire. This post holder would provide forensic medical input into a male low secure ward and a mixed gender open forensic rehabilitation ward.

All of our forensic inpatient beds are sited locally at our purpose-built unit, Woodland View, within Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine. HMP Kilmarnock is on the outskirts of Kilmarnock. It houses remand, short term and long term male prisoners. Ayrshire has two Sheriff Courts, based in Ayr and Kilmarnock. Each site is within approximately half an hour’s drive of the hospital site, where you would be primarily based.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran serves the local authorities of East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and North Ayrshire with a total population of approximately 365,000. Ayrshire is a peaceful and charming place to work with quick and easy access, by road from Glasgow. Many staff choose to live within Ayrshire where there are good schools and easy access to local beaches, parks and wildlife. There is also a large variety of shopping and entertainment facilities.

The Terms and Conditions of service are those determined by the Consultant Contract and this post is offered on a 9 programmed activity basis. Additional sessions may be available on discussion. The post includes participation in an approximate 1 in 26 on-call rota pro rata which attracts a 3% supplement allowance. Out of hours on-call is supported by some Specialist Higher Trainees and with 24 hour ANP/CT/FY junior doctor support on hospital sites.

Applicants must have full GMC Registration with a current Licence to Practice and must be on the Specialist Register, or be within 6 months of the anticipated award of CCT at the time of interview.

The post involves occasional travel and a full driving licence is essential.

You must supply supporting documentary evidence of your entry onto the Specialist Register/CCT/CESR date along with the names and addresses (postal and email) of 2 referees (including your current line manager).

Post Ref No - 213716

Interview Date - 6th June 2025

Job Packs including job description are available for download at www.jobs.scot.nhs.uk. You can also obtain further information about the organisation at www.nhsaaa.net.

For further information or to arrange an informal visit please contact Dr Dawn Carson, Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist/Clinical Director on 01294 322300 or Dr Debbie Browne, Deputy Medical Director on 01294 323514.

Applications are welcome from UK, EEA and non-EEA candidates.

As part of the recruitment process, you will be required to produce proof of your EU Settlement status from 1st July 2021 to demonstrate your Right to Work in the United Kingdom. Further information: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families. Existing employees may be asked to provide evidence of their EU Settlement Status from 1st July 2021.