Consultant in Ophthalmology with interest in Vitreoretinal Surgery

NHS; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Ipswich is seeking a Consultant in Ophthalmology specializing in Vitreoretinal Surgery. The successful candidate will be the second VR consultant, working alongside colleagues to ensure high-quality patient care. Responsibilities include emergency VR cover and guiding junior staff. Candidates must hold GMC registration and have extensive experience in vitreoretinal surgery. The role promises opportunities for professional development and engagement in clinical governance. This position is set to commence in August 2026.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata)

Access to NHS discounts

Qualifications

• Full GMC registration Entry on GMC Specialist Register expected within 6 months.
• Success in Intercollegiate Specialty Examination or Overseas Equivalent.
• Broad experience in general ophthalmology sufficient for independent emergency care.

Responsibilities

• Take his/her share of the consultant clinical responsibilities.
• Provide cover for colleagues during leave.
• Join the consultant on-call rota.

Skills

Extensive experience in vitreoretinal surgery

Ability to work in a team

Good interpersonal skills

Education

Full GMC registration and entry on GMC Specialist Register

FRCOphth or Equivalent

Further qualifications (BSc, MSc, etc.)

Job description

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Consultant in Ophthalmology with interest in Vitreoretinal Surgery

The closing date is 14 January 2026

We are inviting applications for a Consultant with special interest in Vitreoretinal Surgery to join our team at Ipswich Hospital within Ophthalmology.

The successful applicant will be the second VR consultant appointed to the hospital. The VR on call will alternate weekly between the two consultants and cross site cover is expected when there is annual leave. A comprehensive surgical service is offered.

This post is to start August 2026.

Main duties of the job

All consultants in the department have a continuing and individual responsibility for the care of patients in their charge and a general responsibility to provide, in conjunction with their colleagues, an effective service to meet the needs of the local population, within the resources available.

The post-holder will:

• Work with colleagues to provide a consultant-led service with the highest standard of care
• Work with the multi-professional team to develop care pathways and clinical guidelines
• Develop and maintain good working practices within wards, outpatients and A&E
• Collaborate and promote close working links with colleagues in tertiary centres, community services and primary care
• Offer support and leadership to junior medical colleagues, nursing colleagues and other members of the multi-disciplinary team

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world's best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A

Job responsibilities

The key duties and responsibilities are:

• Take his/her share of the consultant clinical responsibilities within the Department, including managing junior doctors within the Acute Referral department and the continued expansion of the VR service. The precise allocation of session time will be agreed with consultant colleagues, but it is envisaged that there will be 7 clinical sessions of direct clinical care 8.5 DCC and 1.5 SPA for professional development and appraisal (10 PA total)
• Provide cover for colleagues during leave and other authorised absences.
• Join the consultant on call rota in a two tier on call supporting the registrar who is first on call.
• Join the VR on call 1:2 to provide emergency VR cover throughout the year
• Clinical and other administration as required by agreement
• Teaching and training of junior staff and undergraduates
• Participation in Clinical Governance

Person Specification

• Full GMC registration Entry on GMC Specialist Register (or entry expected within 6 months)
• FRCOphth or Equivalent
• Success in Intercollegiate Speciality Examination or Overseas Equivalent
• Extensive experience in vitreoretinal surgery, including management of complex retinal detachments, macular surgery, scleral buckles and diabetic vitreoretinal disease
• Post CCT Fellowship in VR and/or ASTO in VR
• Broad experience in general ophthalmology sufficient to take full and independent care of emergency patients presenting on-call and in casualty clinics
• Ability to advise on efficient and smooth running of specialist services
• Understanding of NHS structure, clinical governance, and resource management
• Ability to organise and manage outpatient priorities, surgical waiting lists and operating lists
• Ability to work in a team
• Good interpersonal skills
• Evidence of further qualifications such as BSc, BA, MSc, MD, PhD, diplomas or certificates relevant to the specialty or to education, research, leadership, medical law or digital innovation
• Experience in setting up or leading specialist clinics or surgical services
• Experience in service development or quality improvement initiatives
• Experience in developing or leading educational programmes or simulation training
• Experience in training junior surgeons in vitreoretinal techniques
• Track record of research with peer-reviewed publications

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.

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust