Locum Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmic Surgeon

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Ormskirk; On-site; GBP 114,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking a Locum Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon with a special interest in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus to join our expanding service across Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals.

This post offers the chance to develop a thriving paediatric practice including ROP screening, with delivery of adult strabismus and general ophthalmology care, and the option to undertake adult cataract surgery.

Qualifications

• MB ChB or equivalent and GMC registration
• Entered on Specialist Register (or eligible within six months)
• FRCOphth or equivalent
• CCT in Ophthalmology
• Evidence of training in paediatric ophthalmology and ROP screening

Responsibilities

• Deliver consultant-led care in Paediatric Ophthalmology (ROP screening, clinics, surgery)
• Provide Adult Strabismus and General Ophthalmology services
• May undertake Adult Cataract Surgery
• Participate in 1:4 on-call rota (non-resident; 5pm-9pm weekdays, 9am-9pm weekends)
• Contribute to national standards, audit, teaching and supervision

Skills

Paediatric ophthalmology

ROP screening

Adult cataract surgery

Leadership & supervision

Education

MB ChB or equivalent

GMC registration & licenced to practice

Specialist Register / eligible within 6 months

FRCOphth or equivalent

CCT in Ophthalmology

Job description

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Locum Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmic Surgeon

The closing date is 06 December 2026

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist with a special interest in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus to join our expanding service across Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals.

This is a new locum consultant post replacing an established Associate Specialist to continue to the delivery of a high-performing, patient-centred department.

This opportunity offers the successful candidate a chance to develop a thriving paediatric practice, including ROP screening, alongside delivering adult strabismus and general ophthalmology care, with the option to undertake adult cataract surgery. The successful candidate will be required to join the Trusts general on-call service.

Main duties of the job

You will deliver high-quality consultant-led care in: Paediatric Ophthalmology - including ROP screening, paediatric clinics and surgery Adult Strabismus General Ophthalmology Adult Cataract Surgery (optional) Participation in the 1:4 consultant on-call rota (non-resident; 5pm-9pm weekdays, 9am-9pm weekends).

The job plan comprises 10 PAs, including theatre, clinics, ROP activity, SPA time and supporting activities. Final job plan will be agreed with the Clinical Director upon appointment.

You will contribute to national clinical standards, CG, audit, teaching, and supervision of junior staff, with opportunities to participate in research and regional teaching programmes. You will provide consultant leadership and oversight to the orthoptic service within the S&O footprint,

About us

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

Our services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

• Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
• Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
• National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.

Job responsibilities

Shortlisting date: from w/c 7th December 2026

Interview date: TBC

Values

• We are kind
• We are open
• We are inclusive

Qualifications

• MB ChB or evidence of equivalent qualification
• Full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC), and licenced to practice
• Entered on the Specialist Register (or eligible for registration within six months of interview)
• FRCOphth or equivalent
• CCT in Ophthalmology
• Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in all aspects of general Ophthalmology
• Competent in Surgical and Medical Paediatric ophthalmology and ROP Screening
• Competent in adult cataract surgery including training Juniors
• Able to take responsibility for delivering Paediatric ophthalmology service without direct supervision

Knowledge

• Knowledge and experience of Ophthalmology
• Broad range of IT skills
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice
• Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
• Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation
• Participation in continuing professional development (CPD) scheme and, where relevant, evidence of participation
• Interest in teaching medical, nursing, and other groups of staff
• Experience of supervising trainee doctors, clinically and surgically
• Experience of teaching clinical skills to undergraduate medical students
• Experience of clinical or lab-based research with publications in peer reviewed journals
• Publication of audit results
• Ability to supervise research

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with clinical colleagues, colleagues in Ophthalmology, other specialties and support staff
• 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
• Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-disciplinary basis with all levels of staff
• Ability to be a flexible team member
• Ability to cope with and effectively organize the workload of a consultant
• Ability to practise independently as a consultant
• Ability to take responsibility and show evidence of leadership
• Ability to help manage and lead the department balancing departmental and personal objectives
• Ability to demonstrate a commitment to work within Trust policies as guided by the Clinical Director
• Have a commitment to CME / CPD

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

£113,565 to £150,569 a yearper annum (plus on call)