Locum Consultant in Acute and General Medicine

Bedfordshire Hospitals; Bedford; On-site; GBP 114,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

The appointment is a 6‑month fixed term, on a full‑time basis with 10 sessions per week. GMC registration and CCT/CESR within 6 months are required, with opportunities for development within a leading NHS trust.

Qualifications

• MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research.
• Excellent all round experience of DGH work.
• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in General/Acute Medicine.
• Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD.
• Participation in relevant local audits.
• Participation in relevant national audits.

Responsibilities

• Provide a consultant based service to AAU/SDEC with ward rounds and on‑call decision making.
• Lead AAU post ward rounds starting 08:30 to complete reviews by 12:00 with daily MDT discussions.
• Engage in board rounds and specialty clinics as timetabled.
• Carry out post take rounds, ward rounds, outpatient clinics and hospital consultations.
• Supervise junior medical staff and participate in MDT meetings where appropriate.

Skills

Ward rounds

Clinical governance

Education

MD or equivalent Higher Degree

Job description

Locum Consultant in Acute and General Medicine

NHS Medical & Dental: Locum Consultant

Main area Acute Medicine Grade NHS Medical & Dental: Locum Consultant Contract Fixed term: 6 months (Locum consultant) Hours Full time - 10 sessions per week (On the on call rota) Job ref 416-GM-AAU-290B

Site Bedford Hospital Town Bedford Salary £113,565 - £150,569 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 26/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

We are looking to recruit a dynamic Locum Consultant in our Acute Medical Unit at Bedford Hospital which is part of the newly merged Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Innovation in the delivery of acute medical care is a key requirement of this role.

Please note this is a 6 month fixed term position to cover a short term gap within the team.

The appointee will work with colleagues to cover the Acute Medical Unit and the adjoining Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) service, covering the SDEC inpatient clinic returns and referral reviews in SDEC Assessment area. The appointee may have to cover a General Medical Ward depending on service need. They will participate in an integrated on call medical rota which currently sits at 1 in 16 but may be subject to change in line with the 7 day working provision.

Main duties of the job

Provide a consultant based service to the patients attending the AAU/SDEC with most duties being “ward round and/or shop floor based” to ensure early consultant review and decision making.

The post holder will be expected to participate in AAU post ward rounds mornings starting at 0830 am with the view to complete the review of patients by 12:00 pm, where there is a dedicated MDT meeting taking place every day for discussion of every patients ‘case and plan communication to all members of staff.

They will also be involved in a review or board rounds afternoons to address upcoming issues. Participation in speciality clinics will be planned as described by the timetable.

Carry out post take rounds, other ward rounds as necessary, outpatient clinics and hospital consultations.

Supervise junior medical staff and p articipate in the Multidisciplinary Team meetings where appropriate.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached the job description for full details of responsibilities and further information on the role.

Registration

• Full GMC Registration with a licence to practice.
• Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register: CCT (or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview) / CESR (must be on Specialist Register at time of applying)

Qualifications

• MD or equivalent Higher Degree or evidence of relevant research

Clinical Experience

• Excellent all round experience of DGH work
• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in General/Acute Medicine

Clinical Effectiveness and governance

• Understanding of clinical governance and ability to demonstrate ongoing CPD
• Participation in relevant local audits
• Able to demonstrate a broad understanding of the principles and elements of clinical governance.
• Participation in relevant national audits

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

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.