Senior Clinical Fellow in Emergency General Surgery (EGS)

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 67,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is inviting applications for a Senior Clinical Fellow in Emergency General Surgery (EGS). This fixed-term post offers high-level clinical exposure, increasing autonomy, and involvement in service development within a large NHS structure.

The role focuses on acute biliary disease, with opportunities to develop operative skills and progress toward a consultant position. Applicants should be working towards CCT/CESR and be eligible for GMC registration.

Qualifications

• Registrar/fellow level in General Surgery (ST3+).
• Experience in acute biliary disease and emergency general surgery is preferred.
• Willingness to work across multiple sites and participate in on-call duties.

Responsibilities

• Participate in General Surgery on-call rota and elective/emergency activity across theatre, ward, and clinics.
• Cross-site working primarily at BRi with activity at Weston General and North Bristol Trust.
• Contribute to SDEC and ambulatory care pathways to improve patient flow.
• Lead and participate in service development and quality improvement initiatives.
• Provide teaching, audit, research contributions, and supervision of junior staff.

Skills

Independent decision making

Senior level operative skills

Minimally invasive surgery

Experience in hot gallbladder surgery

Team collaboration

Education

MRCS (General Surgery)

FRCS (General Surgery)

ATLS course

Laparoscopic Skills Course

CCrISP Course

GMC registration

Job description

Main area Surgery Grade NHS Medical & Dental: ST3-8 Contract Fixed term: 6 months (Extendable to 12 Months) Hours Full time - 40 hours per week Job ref 387-S7749-AFR-A

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Bristol Royal Infirmary Town Bristol Salary £67,325 - £76,582 DOE pa pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 11/10/2026 23:59

Senior Clinical Fellow in Emergency General Surgery (EGS)

NHS Medical & Dental: ST3-8

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.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

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

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Clinical Fellow in Emergency General Surgery (EGS) within University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.

This role is designed for senior trainees seeking to further develop independent decision-making in acute general surgery, alongside a focused interest in acute biliary disease. The post offers a combination of high-level clinical exposure, increasing autonomy, and involvement in service development, within a supportive and dynamic environment.

The successful candidate will gain experience in a high-volume service, including areas of practice available in relatively few centres across the UK ("Hot GB", Bile duct exploration), providing an excellent platform for progression to a consultant role in EGS and acute biliary surgery.

Applicants should be working towards a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or equivalent CESR.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will work as part of the Emergency General Surgery service, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team including consultant surgeons, clinical nurse specialists, dietitians, and allied health professionals to deliver high-quality patient care.

The role includes:

• Participation in the General Surgery on-call rota
• Elective and emergency clinical activity across theatre, ward, and outpatient settings
• Cross-site working within the Trust, primarily based at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), with additional activity at Weston General Hospital and North Bristol Trust

Please note: The role will include weekend working and cross-site commitments.

Working for our organisation

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. 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. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. 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

Clinical Responsabilities

Theatre

• Dedicated elective EGS operating sessions
• Focus on acute biliary surgery, including hot gallbladders and bile duct exploration
• Exposure to a high-volume emergency caseload
• Opportunities to develop operative skills with increasing responsibility

Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC)

• Senior clinical review within SDEC
• Assessment and management of emergency surgical referrals
• Participation in ambulatory care pathways and admission avoidance
• Participation in general surgery clubs
• Continuity of care for elective and post-acute patients
• Opportunity to develop independent clinic practice

Inpatient and On-Call Support

• Senior support to the EGS on-call service
• Daily ward rounds and multidisciplinary team working
• Development of clinical decision-making in acute care settings

Specialist Experience

Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration (CBDE)

The post offers experience within a high-volume bile duct exploration service, with opportunities to develop skills in:

• Trans-cystic and choledochotomy techniques
• Management of complex biliary stone disease
• Use of adjuncts such as lithotripsy

Acute Biliary Surgery

• Exposure to a wide spectrum of acute biliary disease
• Management of severe cholecystitis and complex gallbladder pathology
• Development of skills in subtotal cholecystectomy and bailout strategies

Research, Teaching and Development

The post-holder will have opportunities to:

• Contribute to audit, service evaluation, and outcomes data collection
• Participate in research and publication activity
• Deliver teaching and training within the department
• Support course organisation and simulation-based education

Service Development and Leadership

The fellowship includes involvement in service improvement initiatives, with opportunities to:

• Contribute to development of SDEC and ambulatory pathways
• Support improvements in patient flow and waiting times
• Participate in service alignment across Trust sites
• Engage in development and evaluation of new models of care

What We Offer

• Opportunities to develop skills in acute biliary surgery and bile duct exploration
• Exposure to complex emergency general surgery
• Involvement in teaching, research, and service development
• A strong platform for progression to a consultant post

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

• Experience at registrar/fellow level in General Surgery (ST3+ equivalent)
• Minimum 1 year of NHS experience.
• Minimum 1 years’ experience at ST3+ level
• Working towards or close to CCT/CESR in EGS Surgery

Skills and Abilities

• Able to handle independent on-call and independent decision making.
• Operative skills at senior level for all emergency operations open and laparoscopic
• Skills in minimally invasive surgery
• Experience with “hot” gallbladder surgery
• Experience in Laparoscopic Bile Duct Exploration

Qualifications and Training

• Full Registration with GMC (UK)
• MRCS (General Surgery) or equivalent
• FRCS (general Surgery) completed or working towards examination
• ATLS course or equivalent
• Laparoscopic Skills Course
• CCrISP Course or equivalent
• Train the trainers or equivalent
• Good Clinical Practice (NIHR)

Additional and Aptitudes

• IT skills on all Microsoft packages
• Reference history
• Experience in service development or quality improvement
• Interest in ambulatory emergency care
• Ability to function as an independent senior decision-maker

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.

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.

For a more detailed job description please refer to the attached Job Description document. Also informal queries can be made by contacting us.