Consultant Neurosurgeon

The Division of Neurosurgery at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust (WCFT) is seeking to recruit a Consultant Neurosurgeon with an interest in neuro-oncology and hydrocephalus. This is an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic, enthusiastic and established team.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust has a comprehensive neuro-oncology programme. The neuro-oncology service achieved Tessa Jowell Brain Centre Mission Centre of Excellence Status in 2021 and successfully renewed in 2024. The Centre manages approximately 500 new cases a year and covers the full spectrum of CNS tumours. There are 7 operating theatres fully equipped with image-guidance (Brainlab and Medronic), ultrasound, intra-operative MRI, fluorescence (5-ALA) microscopes, ultrasonic aspirators, intra-operative neurophysiology, awake craniotomy and ventricular endoscopy. The hospital has a full-service tissue bank and all brain tumour patients are invited to participate (around 450 patients per year gift tumour tissue). In addition, there is an extensive clinical trials portfolio and all members of the team recruit patients.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will work independently within the Neuro-oncology and hydrocephalus services, joining a 1:6 neuro-oncology take rota and participate in weekly neuro-oncology and hydrocephalus MDT meetings.

The successful candidate will provide general on-call neurosurgical cover (1:19).

About us

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the only NHS trust to hold dual accreditation for the Investors in People. We invest in people and we invest in wellbeing standards and have been awarded Gold status for both. The Walton Centre is a leader in the treatment and care of neurology and neurosurgery, placing the patient and their family at the heart of everything we do. As the only specialist hospital trust in the UK dedicated to providing comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services we are proud to be rated as an Outstanding Trust by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and champion change throughout the field of neuroscience. Originally formed in 1992, the Trust received Foundation Trust status in 2009.

With around 1,450 staff, The Walton Centre treats more than 127,000 outpatients and 18,000 inpatients each year. We have leading specialists and incredibly dedicated staff delivering excellent clinical outcomes for brain, spinal and neurological care nationally and internationally. Teams across our site in Fazakerley, Liverpool, offer a world-class service in diagnosing and treating injuries and illnesses affecting the brain, spine and peripheral nerves and muscles, and in supporting people suffering from a wide range of long-term neurological conditions.

Job responsibilities

Please see the job description and person specification document for detailed information about the job description for this vacancy.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Full GMC registration with a licence to practice
• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• FRCS or equivalent
• Neurovascular and skull base surgery fellowship

Experience

• Evidence of relevant operative procedures undertaken (e.g., logbooks): Satisfactory operative experience to perform emergency general neurosurgical procedures, vascular procedures, and skull base procedures.

Personality

• Trustworthy, reliable, caring attitude and initiative
• Ability to cope with high pressure
• Able to take responsibility
• Good communication and excellent interpersonal skills with patients, relatives, and all members of the clinical team
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Flexibility and the ability to respond to change

Management and organisation

• Ability to organise oneself and others in a multi-disciplinary team
• An understanding of the NHS organisation, clinical governance, and resource constraints
• An understanding of the funding and finance issues in the NHS
• Knowledge of recent reports and plans for the development of the NHS
• Evidence of leadership and management
• Degree in management and/or teaching

Audit, Research and Teaching

• Understanding of principles of clinical audit & research ethics
• Evidence of personal experience of audit
• Evidence of teaching

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.

£99,532 to £131,964 a year plus 3% On Call