Consultant Psychiatrist, Acute (Sandpiper)

Norfolk And Suffolk Nhs Foundation Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 114,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Professional development budget

SPA time

Paid study leave

On-call pay

Job summary

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist to lead the Sandpiper Ward in Central Norfolk. The post is vacant from November 2026, with the unit providing care for 16 male acute beds and a broad multidisciplinary team.

The role includes leadership, complex case management for adults 18–70, and close collaboration with Social Services, Housing, and Police. The Trust supports CPD, relocation assistance, and flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Entry on the GMC Register.
• Approved clinician status.
• Section 12(2) Approval under the Mental Health Act.
• Specialist Register or within 6 months of CCST.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for Sandpiper Ward and specialist psychiatric care.
• Oversee admission, assessment and treatment for male adults 18-70.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and external services.
• Ensure risk assessment and evidence-based care delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Teamwork

Flexibility

Driving licence

Research

Education

GMC registration

Approved clinician status

Mental Health Act Section 12

Specialist register / CCST

Job description

Job summary

• All of our substantive Consultant vacancies attract a 'New Starter' package of £15,000 spread over 3 years as a recruitment bonus
• All new starters may be eligible to receive up to £12,000 relocation package
• CPD is being paid at the higher level of £2000 per annum with the facility accumulating annual funding for up to three years to accommodate accessing higher cost development opportunities
• 'Holiday of a lifetime scheme': Consultants and Specialty Doctors can bank/accrue annual leave over a period of up to 5 years, to facilitate an extended period of leave. The scheme enables the opportunity for planning a 'holiday of a lifetime' or extended paid break

The Trust is seeking a dedicated Consultant Psychiatrist leader for Sandpiper Ward, part of the Acute Services in Central Norfolk. This is an existing post that will become vacant in November 2026 when the current acting up consultant moves to another post. The unit will provide 16 male acute beds.

Main duties of the job

The post is for a Consultant Psychiatrist. The ward provides admission, assessment and treatment to male adults aged between 18-70 years suffering from severe mental disorders. The admitted patients are voluntary as well as those detained under the Mental Health Act.

The current postholder is moving roles. The Specialty Doctor posts on the wards are substantive posts.

All wards provide evidence-based care for patients in periods of acute psychiatric illness, with intensive medical and nursing input, and input from other specialties (Occupational Therapy, Psychology, Physical Health Nursing) as well as peer-support worker(s). Each unit works closely with colleagues from Social Services, Housing, and Police. The service offers comprehensive assessment (including risk assessment) and triaging of admitted patients, a thorough review of treatments, starting new treatments or modifying existing treatments, and brief interventions (such as short-term support, structured activities, brief psychological therapies).

The inpatient units work very closely with the Home Treatment Team, Community Mental Health Teams, Housing, Social Services, and Police to ensure adequate throughput of patients.

About us

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust provides child and adult mental health services, learning disability, wellbeing and eating disorder services across Norfolk and Suffolk.

Why work with us?

• Up to £12k relocation expenses
• Access to £2000 per annum professional development budget
• Dedicated SPA time of up to 25% of working hours
• Paid study leave (on application and approval) in addition to CPD
• Potential of extra PA for DCC with requisite pay per PA
• Ability to apply for Clinical Excellence Awards
• Inclusion on the Consultant on-call rota for the higher level with 3%, 5% or 8% requisite pay depending on frequency
• NHS benefits package including contributory pension, redundancy. Including paid annual leave, sick leave and maternity leave.
• Appraisals and revalidation completed by the Trust
• Friendly Colleagues
• Encouragement and support for areas of special interest
• Subsidised gyms and free physio service
• We have a strong education reputation and close ties with both The University of Cambridge and The University of East Anglia
• Well established county wide teaching program
• Access and encouragement to partake in research and a well-established research network within the Trust
• Support for Quality Improvement, Audit and Service development
• Forward thinking, clinically lead and innovative trust
• Flexibility can be considered for a degree of remote working

Details

Date posted: 27 October 2026

Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade: Consultant

Salary: £113,565 to £150,569 a year gross per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time

Reference number: 246-MCNN8252636-B

Job locations: Hellesdon Hospital, Drayton High Road, Norwich, NR6 5BE, United Kingdom

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Entry on the GMC Register
• Approved clinician status
• Section 12(2) Approval under the Mental Health Act
• Specialist Register or within 6 months of CCST

Experience (Essential)

• 3 years or equivalent medical experience
• 6 months experience in relevant clinical area
• Evidence of knowledge of diagnosis, treatment + management of complex mental illness

Attributes (Essential)

• Effective team working
• Leadership qualities
• Flexibility
• Driving Licence/able to travel independently
• Research

Clinical Governance (Essential)

• A clear understanding of Clinical Governance
• Demonstrate a commitment to open review of practice

Teaching (Essential)

• Experience of supervising junior medical staff
• Teaching and presentation skills

Employer contact details

Locality Medical Director: Daniel Dalton, [e-mail], 01603421669

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

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