Consultant - Upper GI and General Surgery

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS Trust in Watford seeks a dedicated Upper GI surgeon for a locum appointment. The role involves participation in emergency laparoscopic surgeries and contributing to the education of medical students. Candidates should have a fellowship in Upper GI surgery, along with experience in robotic surgeries and quality improvement projects. This position allows for leadership opportunities and supports a vision of excellent patient care with a focus on staff wellbeing and flexible working options.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Staff wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Consultant-level experience in robotic surgery is mandatory.
• Experience performing complex upper GI surgery.
• Commitment to clinical governance.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the emergency hot laparoscopic cholecystectomy service.
• Contribute to the teaching of medical students and trainee doctors.
• Engage in clinical governance activities and support local audits.
• Lead quality improvement projects and attend departmental meetings.

Skills

Robotic surgery

Hot laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Clinical governance

Quality improvement projects

Education

Fellowship in Upper GI surgery

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic Upper GI service with a growing complex robotic and laparoscopic biliary and upper GI hiatal surgery practice, and the opportunity to help develop the local bariatric surgery service. This is a locum appointment, with a plan and funding in place to recruit to a substantive post subsequently.

Overview

The trust has developed a multi‑platform robotic centre featuring both CMR and da Vinci systems and aims to establish a regional robotic and training centre for Upper GI, alongside the established colorectal and gynaecology teams. Mentoring will be provided for all elective and emergency work to ensure full support for new consultants.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the established emergency hot laparoscopic cholecystectomy service.
• Assist the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust in achieving its commitments to the National Plan for modernisation of the NHS, including the 18‑week patient pathway.
• Contribute to the teaching of medical students and trainee doctors, and participate in audit, governance and training meetings.
• Engage in clinical governance activities in depth and breadth, attend departmental consultant meetings and support local audits, research and presentations.
• Take on leadership roles such as quality improvement projects and Trust‑wide lead and managerial roles that are advertised among the consultant body.
• Participate in the monthly clinical governance programme and monthly departmental meetings.
• Support the trust’s vision of excellent patient care and uphold the values of empowerment, compassion, professionalism and inclusion.

Qualifications and Experience

• Fellowship in Upper GI surgery and consultant‑level experience in robotic surgery are mandatory.
• Experience in hot laparoscopic cholecystectomy and a proven record of performing complex upper GI surgery.
• Experience with quality improvement projects and a commitment to clinical governance.

Benefits and Culture

There is a new hospital planned for Watford, ongoing theatre updates at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, making this an exciting time to join. We are building on the success of our award‑winning virtual hospital, re‑imagining models of care and working closely with partners to harness digital healthcare advances. Staff wellbeing, development, innovation and flexible working options are priorities to support a good work‑life balance.