Corneal Consultant

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bristol Eye Hospital, part of Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, seeks a Consultant in Cornea and External Eye Disease to deliver sub-specialist care. This full-time post provides corneal and external eye disease services across BEH and integrates into the ophthalmology department.

The successful candidate will join a regional centre, lead clinical care with independent practice, and participate in teaching, audits, and cross-site collaboration within the Trust.

Qualifications

• GMC registration with specialist registration; CCT within 12 months; eligibility for specialist registration within 12 months.
• Higher academic qualification such as MD, PhD or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide sub-specialist cornea and external eye disease services for BEH patients.
• Work with the corneal team and actively participate in the department workload.
• Attend to on-call duties with a 1 in 12 Category B commitment.

Skills

Cornea & external eye disease

General ophthalmology

Independent practice

On-call readiness

Education

GMC registration

CCT within 12 months

Specialist registration eligibility within 12 months

MD/PhD or equivalent

Job description

As part of the transition to a Group Clinical Services structure within Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, there is an increased expectation of cross-site working.

Although roles will have a designated base, post holders are likely to be required to work across multiple Trust sites in line with service needs. Where this is not included in the initial job plan, any future requirement arising from the departmental restructures will be addressed through the job planning process. Travel time will be taken into consideration in line with contractual expectations.

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

Consultant in Cornea and External Eye Disease

This is a full time permanent post in Cornea and External Eye Disease . This post is designed to provide sub-specialist cornea and external eye disease services for patients at the Bristol Eye Hospital (BEH).

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will complement the existing corneal team and will be expected to play an active role in the running of the corneal firm. He or she will also be expected to participate in the workload of the department should the need arise. There is a 1 in12 Category B (low frequency) Consultant on call commitment associated with this post.

The Bristol Eye Hospital (BEH) is a Regional Centre for Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology sits within the Division of Surgery. BEH provides a tertiary referral service for cornea and external eye diseases.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For further details/informal visits please contact:

Omar Elhaddad, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon

via their secretary Roseanna Brown

Person specification

Qualifications & Training

• Full and specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC)
• Holder of Certificate of Completion of Training in Ophthalmology (CCT), or evidence of within 12 months of award of CCT by date of interview
• Eligible for specialist registration within 12 months of interview
• Higher academic qualification e.g. MD, PhD or equivalent

Experience

• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in general ophthalmology and sub-specialty experience in cornea and external eye disease
• Able to take responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision
• Evidence of a special interest and expertise that complements those of other consultants in the department and is consistent with the Trust’s service strategy

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

• Up to date knowledge and experience of cornea and external eye disease
• Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
• Broad range of IT skills

Clinical Governance and Audit

• Up to date knowledge and experience of relevant specialty
• Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
• Skills in general ophthalmology and cataract. Able to operate Independently covering a comprehensive range of cataract surgical procedures

Research

• Knowledge of the principles involved in research
• Evidence of involvement in research
• Additional academic experience and qualifications e.g. PhD
• Evidence of publication of peer reviewed academic papers

Teaching and Training

• Experience of teaching medical students and AHP’s
• Experience of supervising trainees.
• Knowledge of teaching to a multidisciplinary team
• Educational Supervisor training completed
• Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
• Ability to organise efficient and smooth running of a specialist service
• Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant
• Ability to practice independently as a consultant2
• Ability to take on responsibility and show evidence of leadership
• Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks
• Evidence of management/leadership experience and/or qualifications and courses

Interpersonal, communication and team working skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, clinical colleagues, support staff and other colleagues.
• Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English
• Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
• Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-professional basis with all levels of staff both within and across divisions
• Ability to be a flexible team member

Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes

• Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
• Awareness of personal limitations
• Additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels

Other

• Meets professional health requirements
• Agreement to travel to and work in other Bristol NHS Foundation Trust sites necessitated by the role

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.