Locum GP – Virtual Hospital

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Watford is seeking experienced GPs to join their Virtual Wards team. The role involves expanding virtual hospital pathways, providing clinical supervision, and ensuring quality patient care. Applicants must have GMC & GP registration, and a postgraduate management qualification is desirable. The position offers flexible working options to support work-life balance.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Focus on staff wellbeing and development

Qualifications

• Experience in virtual ward service delivery is essential.
• Postgraduate management qualification is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support and expand current Virtual Hospital pathways.
• Provide clinical supervision within the Virtual Hospital.
• Ensure good clinical care for patients.

Skills

Clinical supervision

Patient care

Virtual ward management

Education

GMC & GP registration

Job description

Job summary

We are inviting applications for GPs with significant experience in Virtual Wards to act as senior decision makers for the South West Hertfordshire Healthcare Partnership Virtual Hospital.

The main duties of this role are based at Watford General Hospital, with some scope to work alongside our Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) colleagues at their site in the BRE Building (Bucknalls Lane, Watford Herts, WD25 9XX).

The Virtual Hospital (VH) is looking for qualified individuals who will help deliver 1.8 WTE to the VH.

The West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust (WHTHT) virtual ward program, a system collaboration with Central London Community Healthcare Trust (CLCH), has been instrumental in maintaining WHTHT's reputation for innovation. This service has been a noteworthy success with a high profile nationally. Currently our virtual wards include ABC (Asthma, Bronchiectasis and COPD), heart failure (HF), General Medicine (GM), Frailty and Post-surgical Colorectal. The VH has expanded constantly since it first opened in 2021, delivering admission avoidance and step‑down care solutions.

Our innovative virtual ward integrates seamlessly with other healthcare providers, ensuring patients receive expert care at home while reducing hospital pressures.

Our consultant/GP team take primary responsibility for the patient and work alongside speciality teams delivering a multif disciplinary approach to patient management.

This post will provide stability to the service and continuity of care to patients as well as enabling the expansion of the Virtual Ward service which has already proven to reduce length of stay and improve patient experience.

About us

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award‑winning virtual hospital and re‑imaging models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

At West Herts we offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly. https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking/

We kindly invite you to consider submitting an application.

If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact [e-mail]

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick Member of the Armed Forces Community on the application form.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Support and expand current VH pathways
• Provide clinical supervision within the Virtual Hospital
• Ensure that good clinical care is provided to the patients within the Virtual Hospital

Core Hours

• 9am-5pm Monday to Friday on site
• 8am-6pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays on site
• 7:10 weekends on site

We are looking to recruit several individuals to cover all of the hours outlined above so this would be a job share.

Person Specification

Essential

• GMC & GP registration

Desirable

• Postgraduate management qualification

360-A-1136