Specialty Doctor in Place of Safety | South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health services provider in Greater London is looking for a Specialty Doctor to join their Acute Inpatient Care Pathway. This role involves providing medical input, conducting assessments, and contributing to a multidisciplinary team. With opportunities for professional development, the successful candidate will work closely with other healthcare professionals to manage acute physical and mental health needs. The position requires commitment to clinical governance and active participation in staff training. The post closes on December 16, 2025.

Qualifications

• Experience in mental health assessments, especially under section 136 and 135.
• Knowledge of clinical governance and multidisciplinary teamwork.
• Ability to maintain accurate medical records.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical input to the unit, including clinical assessments and decision-making.
• Support the wider staff team and contribute to clinical governance.
• Maintain accurate documentation and communication with primary care.

Job description

Overview

This post is in our Acute Inpatient Care Pathway, looking after working age adults. This post is for the Centralised Place of Safety (CPOS), located at the Maudsley Hospital. This purpose built unit is designed to admit patients admitted on either section 136 or section 135 and the post holder will work within an established MDT to assess and manage the acute physical and mental health needs of these patients. This service was the first 24/7 staffed Place of Safety to implement London's section 136 pathway and Health Based Place of Safety specification has received positive feedback from users of mental health crisis services. Information about the service can be found at: https://www.healthylondon.org/pilot-shows-health-based-place-safety-improves-care-lifts-pressure-aes/

The unit is staffed with a full nursing team, unit manager and Consultant Psychiatrist. The post provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience of innovative multiagency working and new services. There are also opportunities to contribute to clinical governance in the unit, and formal and informal teaching and development of the team. For more information and to discuss the post please contact Dr Vivienne Curtis (Consultant Psychiatrist, CPOS) [e-mail].

Responsibilities

1. To provide medical input to unit. During working hours the specialty doctor has responsibility for initial clinical assessment and decision making in relation to section 136 and 135 assessments.
2. This will include assessment and examination and where necessary appropriate investigations for all clients. Patients suffering from significant medical illness are transferred to an acute Hospital, often King's College Hospital, also at Denmark Hill.
3. The doctor would assess under the Mental Health Act for admission either alone or as part of a full Mental Health Act assessment.
4. The doctor is responsible for record keeping including documentation of assessment and communication/ liaison with other agencies including primary care.
5. The doctor will support the wider staff team at the CPOS. There will be opportunities to contribute to clinical governance, and formal and informal teaching.
6. The doctor would be expected to be available to work 10 clinical sessions on the unit. The doctor will be able to take regular time for professional development as agreed with the team Consultant Psychiatrist.
7. There will be job planning review within 3 months of appointment involving the team Consultant Psychiatrist and the team leader of the unit.
8. The doctor would receive clinical supervision from the CPOS Consultant Psychiatrist each week.

About the Trust

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

The Trust is part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), which includes seven hospitals and over 150 community based services. The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has through King's Health Partners (KHP) established a pioneering collaboration between one of the world's leading research-led universities and three of London's most successful NHS Foundation Trusts. The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust provides a full range of mental health services to the people of Croydon, Lambeth, Southwark, and Lewisham as well as national & specialist outpatient services and CAMHS inpatient wards with outreach adolescent services in SE London and Kent. The South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is committed to innovation, effective interventions and improved service user outcomes. The Trust has a broad range of staff in all disciplines with the widest range of skills and interests that provides many opportunities for new Psychiatrists to thrive and develop. It provides mental health services to the people of Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Croydon. It also provides specialist services to people across the UK and inpatient services to Kent.

Job responsibilities

1. To provide medical input to unit. During working hours the specialty doctor has responsibility for initial clinical assessment and decision making in relation to section 136 and 135 assessments.
2. This will include assessment and examination and where necessary appropriate investigations for all clients. Patients suffering from significant medical illness are transferred to an acute Hospital, often Kings College Hospital, also at Denmark Hill.
3. The doctor would assess under the Mental Health Act for admission either alone or as part of a full Mental Health Act assessment.
4. The doctor is responsible for record keeping including documentation of assessment and communication/ liaison with other agencies including primary care.
5. The doctor will support the wider staff team at the CPOS. There will be opportunities to contribute to clinical governance, and formal and informal teaching.
6. The doctor would be expected to be available to work 10 clinical sessions on the unit. The doctor will be able to take regular time for professional development as agreed with the team Consultant Psychiatrist.
7. There will be job planning review within 3 months of appointment involving the team Consultant Psychiatrist and the team leader of the unit.
8. The doctor would receive clinical supervision from the CPOS Consultant Psychiatrist each week.

This advert closes on Tuesday 16 Dec 2025