Sobell House Fellow | Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the United Kingdom is offering a 12-month fellowship in Palliative Medicine at various locations including Churchill Hospital and Katharine House Hospice. This is an excellent opportunity for senior trainees to gain in-depth experience while participating in clinical service provision and quality improvement projects. The role includes responsibilities in multiple patient care settings and community outreach. Application deadline is December 2, 2025.

Qualifications

• Senior trainees in Palliative Medicine.
• Willingness to participate in community outreach.
• Experience in intensive symptom management and end-of-life care.

Responsibilities

• Work within specialist inpatient wards for adults with life-limiting conditions.
• Participate in the on-call rota.
• Contribute to the Hospital Palliative Care Team.

Job description

Overview

The fellowship is a 12‑month post at Churchill Hospital, Oxford, or Katharine House Hospice, Banbury, with the requirement that post holders be willing to work in any of the Trust’s locations and in community outreach if required.

Purpose of the Fellowship

This post offers a 60/40 split of clinical service provision with protected time to undertake either an Educational or a Quality Improvement project over the course of a year. It is an excellent opportunity for senior trainees looking to take an OOP to gain in‑depth experience of Palliative Medicine, or to broaden their experience of education or governance.

Clinical Duties

• Work within one or more areas of the service:
  • On the specialist inpatient wards in Sobell House or Katharine House (30 beds) offering intensive symptom management and end‑of‑life care for adults with life‑limiting conditions.
  • In the Hospital Palliative Care Team offering a consultative specialist advisory service for adults with life‑limiting conditions under the care of specialist colleagues in the acute hospitals of the John Radcliffe, Churchill, Nuffield Orthopaedic or Horton Hospitals in Oxfordshire.
  • In the Community Palliative Care Team working in concert with primary care to enable symptom control and ACP for adults with life‑limiting conditions who are in their usual place of residence throughout Oxfordshire and South Northamptonshire.
  • In the newly commenced RIPEL project which offers Home Hospice care and enhanced responsiveness for adults with life‑limiting conditions who are suffering uncontrolled symptoms or a crisis in care.
• Participate in the on‑call rota alongside the current Specialist Registrars and Specialty Doctors.

Team and Support

The successful candidate will be part of a medical team comprising 8 consultants, 3 Associate Specialists, 6 Specialty Doctors and a number of doctors training in Palliative Medicine and General Practice. The multidisciplinary team includes nurses, allied health professionals, music therapist, art therapist, chaplain, social workers and support staff, with sessional support from a consultant psychiatrist.

Professional Development

For a Fellow employed full time, 40% of their working time will support their professional development in non‑clinical areas. At the commencement of employment one of these themes (Education and Training or Quality Improvement) will be chosen jointly with the Departmental Clinical Lead and a project will be planned with the aim of completing a defined piece of work in this time (e.g., curricular redesign incorporating Palliative Medicine skills into trust mandatory training).

Indicative Job Plan

The schedule below is an indicative plan; the final job plan will be agreed with the clinical director upon appointment and will be renegotiated at least annually.

• Monday: 0900‑1300 Inpatient hospice – Ward round (DCC); 1300‑1700 Inpatient hospice – Ward work (DCC).
• Tuesday: 0900‑1300 Inpatient hospice – Ward round & MDT meeting (DCC); 1300‑1700 Inpatient hospice – Ward work (DCC).
• Wednesday: 0900‑1300 Flexible – Education Work (SPA); 1300‑1700 Flexible – Education Work (SPA).
• Thursday: 0900‑1300 Flexible – Education Work (SPA); 1300‑1700 Flexible – Education Work (SPA).
• Friday: 0900‑1300 Inpatient hospice – Ward round (DCC); 1300‑1700 Inpatient hospice – Ward work (DCC).

Leave and Working Arrangements

Annual and study leave arrangements must be coordinated within the specialty to ensure an acceptable level of cover. Leave forms are available on the ORH intranet and must be signed by the Clinical Lead and submitted to designated managerial staff. Clinic cancellations require at least 6 weeks’ notice.

Application Deadline

This advert closes on Tuesday 2 Dec 2025.