Locum Consultant in Acute Medicine | East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Ipswich is seeking a full-time Locum Consultant in Acute Medicine to enhance patient care in a new model of service delivery. The role involves working collaboratively across departments, supervising junior staff, and focusing on quality improvements in acute patient management. This position offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a major development program aimed at transforming healthcare in the region.

Qualifications

• Must have experience in Acute Medicine with demonstrated skills in assessment and triage.
• Ability to lead and train junior staff in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing patient care pathways.

Responsibilities

• Provide a comprehensive assessment process for all medical emergencies.
• Supervise and train EAU junior staff.
• Liaise with the Emergency Department to meet performance indicators.

Skills

Consultant-level experience

Strong communication skills

Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team

Education

Medical degree and registration with the GMC

Job description

Overview

6 month Fixed Term post

As part of a major investment programme, at Ipswich Hospital, agreement has been given for a significant investment to deliver a truly transformative model for management of inpatient medical and older persons care.

• Appropriately resourced 7-day consultant working
• Strengthened GIM rota, improving rotas and providing a better balance of workload across each day of the week; reducing the burden on clinicians associated with Medical Take by reducing the frequency and bolstering the post-take support
• Innovation in patient care and service delivery, allowing the right patient, to see the right clinician, at the right time (7 days per week), ensuring patients are managed from the outset, on the most appropriate ward for their condition(s)
• Early access to specialist advice
• Overall, to deliver greatly improved quality of care for our patients whilst supporting a long-term, sustainable set of consultant job plans

We are looking for a full time Locum Consultant in Acute Medicine to support this ambitious new medical inpatient model who wish to embrace the technological advances recently made in patient care and who will contribute to the evolving vision for the future of our multi-specialty medical team.

About the department

The Department of Acute Medicine works as a sub-department within the Division of Medicine, Ipswich Site. The 7 current consultants work in our recently refurbished Emergency Assessment Unit (EAU) within a multi-disciplinary team, with access to modern facilities and equipment. The aim of the department is to maintain an efficient and friendly service for our local population. The department strives to promote and develop the full provision of acute services in light of rapidly evolving and changing strategies for emergency care provision.

Role and responsibilities

The appointee will work as a consultant in Acute Medicine and will work closely alongside the Departments of Speciality Medicine, Surgery and the Department of Diagnostic Imaging to provide a comprehensive assessment process for all medical emergencies. Close liaison with other Departments and with allied health professionals within the EAU department and other consultant colleagues is crucial to our success and good communication skills are essential.

The appointee will have a specific role in the acute assessment, triage and management of all patients in the EAU, working together with senior therapists and nurses to assess every patient to categorise their needs and ensure they are appropriately met. The appointee will liaise closely with the Emergency Department to facilitate their delivery of the ED Performance indicators.

The appointee will be responsible for the supervision and training of assigned EAU junior staff and ensuring patients move through the unit effectively. They will also have responsibility for maintaining databases and performance records of admissions and assessment provision and act as a resource for this information.

The appointee will work closely with other colleagues in all departments and will contribute to teaching of medical students and junior staff attached to the department.

Ongoing developments

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is implementing a £150 million development programme. Over the next five years, we are changing the landscape of care, bringing additional and improved services to the population we serve in Suffolk and North East Essex. At Ipswich hospital, we are building a state-of-the-art Urgent Treatment Centre co-located with a new Emergency Department, with an expected opening in Summer ’24. We also have a new Acute Medical Same Day Emergency Care unit, a new Acute Respiratory Care Unit and a newly opened Surgical Assessment Unit, alongside a Frailty Assessment Base linked with our virtual ward programme and community teams.

ESNEFT has identified Epic as their preferred supplier in delivering a new Electronic Patient Record system. The opportunity to develop our processes and clinical pathways using the best in class EPR offers ESNEFT the platform to strive for excellence in all areas of healthcare.

Philosophy and patient care

We have a simple philosophy: Time Matters. Time matters for our patients, their families and our staff. By focusing on time, we can remove unnecessary stress – giving our patients a better experience and to ensure you have more time to care and make the most of your skills.

Application and closing

The advert closes on Sunday 5 Oct 2025.