Consultant Psychiatrist – Addictions | Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A large NHS trust in the North West is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist to join their inpatient detoxification unit. You will provide medical leadership within a multidisciplinary team focused on delivering high-quality care to individuals undergoing detoxification from drugs and alcohol. The role requires strong communication skills and experience in psychiatric assessments. Flexible working arrangements are available. Closing date for applications is October 12, 2025.

Qualifications

• Medical Doctor with a specialty in Psychiatry.
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to perform comprehensive psychiatric assessments.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical leadership and be the responsible clinician.
• Carry out psychiatric assessments and medical interventions.
• Supervise team assessments and lead patient reviews.

Skills

Medical leadership

Risk Assessment

Communication

Psychiatric assessment

Team supervision

Education

Registered medical degree

Specialization in Psychiatry

Job description

Overview

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Consultant Psychiatrist to join our dedicated team at The Hope Centre, a 17-bed regional inpatient detoxification unit within Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.

You will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of nurses, healthcare assistants, and junior doctors to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care to individuals undergoing detoxification from drugs and alcohol.

Role and Responsibilities

• Provide medical leadership to the team and be the responsible clinician for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) and carry out duties in accordance with the code of practice.
• Carry out comprehensive psychiatric assessments for new admissions and provide medical interventions for patients.
• Supervise and support team members who carry out assessments of patients referred to the team.
• Lead patient reviews and multi-disciplinary reviews, CPA reviews, discharge planning meetings and multi-professional meetings.
• Carry out comprehensive Risk Assessments and participate in Trust risk management processes such as Health Risk Assessment and Management Meetings (H-RAMM) and MAPPA meetings if required.
• Provide medical leadership and maintain a high level of communication with other parts of the Mental Health Service across the Trust, maternity services and primary care.
• Liaise with families/carers and with aspects of the Criminal Justice System as necessary.
• Prioritize admissions and manage bed occupancy in collaboration with local teams.
• Support staff to manage psychiatric emergencies.
• Act as clinical supervisor for trainees on the ward and support trainees with admissions, follow-ups and ward rounds.
• Lead ward rounds (twice weekly) and oversee inpatient care; participate in opportunities for ST special interest sessional support where available.
• Contribute to the unit's recovery-focused approach and work within established groups and pharmacological interventions to support patient recovery goals.

About the service

The Addictions Services at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust provides integrated drug and alcohol inpatient detoxification services for patients across Merseyside. It is a regional detox unit with 17 inpatient beds. The unit receives patients who are not suitable for community detox and referrals are made by locality-based teams. The bed occupancy and referral volumes are managed to ensure safe care and robust aftercare planning.

Team and supervision

The unit is supported by a Consultant Psychiatrist, 1.0 WTE Foundation Year trainee or 1.0 WTE psychiatry trainees (rotation-based). There is also an SAS Doctor. There may be opportunities to act as clinical supervisor for trainees; ST special interest sessions may be available. The post holder will support trainees and see new patients.

Why Mersey Care

Mersey Care is one of the largest NHS trusts in the North West, serving over 1.4 million people, with services across the North West, North Wales and the Midlands. We offer specialist inpatient and community services and are among the few trusts with high secure mental health facilities. We are committed to delivering high-quality care and supporting staff through transformation to improve services and reduce costs.

Additional information

Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.

The advert closes on Sunday 12 Oct 2025.