About this role
Job summary
Interview date 15th October 2026
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is looking to recruit a motivated and passionate paediatrician for the post of consultant neonatologist. The post is an additional substantial post to form a team of 7.0 WTE consultant neonatologists.
This post will be based in our warm, welcoming and expanding neonatal department on Sunderland Royal Hospital site. The service is the lead provider for babies requiring intensive care from Durham, Gateshead, Northumbria and Carlisle who are 27 weeks gestation and above. There are approximately 4000 deliveries/year and the Neonatal Unit has 7 ITU/HDU cots and 9 Special care cots.
The department has a strong commitment to quality improvement with excellent outcomes against NNAP standards. Our team has a broad range of expertise and the successful applicant could have a variety of developed or developing skill sets and find a fulfilling role within our department.
If you have an interest in delivering the highest quality care for babies and their families and being in an environment in which all staff are supported and thrive, then this is the role for you.
It is strongly recommended that if you are interested in this exciting post that you contact Dr Imran Ahmed [email protected] or Dr Lorna Gillespie [email protected] who will provide more information as to why you should choose South Tyneside and Sunderland Foundation Trust as your place to work.
Main duties of the job
Overall responsibilities include contributing to the co-ordination and delivery of the operational aspects of the service. You should be enthusiastic and flexible in your approach, with a commitment to providing excellence in neonatal care. In return you will be joining a friendly, supportive, highly motivated team.
Our unit is staffed and equipped to provide Volume targeted ventilation, initiate High frequency oscillation, inhaled Nitric oxide therapy as well as active therapeutic hypothermia.
There is a tier of middle grade paediatricians and advanced neonatal nurse practitioners and a separate tier of ANNPs and medical staff at junior level.
A standard job plan is based on 10 programmed activities (PAs) 8.5 of which are clinical PAs.
Family Care is an exciting place to work that will provide you with an opportunity to grow and develop. Many of our staff work flexibly, including part-time and we are committed to supporting flexible approaches to work wherever possible for our people. Please enquire to see how we might work flexibly with you in this role.
If you are interested in becoming part of our fantastic team then we would welcome your application.
About us
Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description for full details
The Neonatal Department sits within the Directorate of Maternity, Neonatal & Gynaecology which provides services across South Tyneside and Sunderland.
Neonatal services are provided out of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which is based at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
There are approximately 4000 births per annum across Sunderland and South Tyneside Hospital sites. Maternity care is delivered across two sites featuring a total of 27 Labour & Delivery Rooms. Within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital there are:
o 7 IC/HD cots
o 9 SC cots
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Primary medical qualification. Full GMC registration. Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register or eligibility for entry within six months of the date of the AAC [there is flexibility with the 6 month period with Executive Medical Director approval] Subspecialty training in neonatal medicine, RCPCH Neonatal SPIN module or equivalent. NLS provider.
Desirable
NLS instructor. Special interest eg cardiology, education, neurodevelopment.
Experience Essential
Relevant specialist clinical knowledge aligned to RCPCH Neonatal SPIN module and subspecialist training competence framework. Strong leadership and coordination skills with ability to direct and coordinate teams. Able to juggle a large number of demands by setting priorities and planning effectively. Able to demonstrate commitment to the speciality. Understanding of the NHS, Clinical Governance process and resource issues. Evidence of organisational, management and time management skills.
Desirable
Evidence of management and administration experience and understanding management goals. Management course and / or certificate.
Teaching & Education Essential
Experience of supervising medical, nursing and AHP colleagues. Experience of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Ability to teach clinical / technical / practical skills.
Desirable
Qualification in medical education.
Audit & Research Essential
Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical practice. Recent major contribution in successful quality improvement measures Good presentation skills.
Desirable
Undertaken research with published papers in refereed journals.
Personal Attributes Essential
Alignment with the Trust core values and behaviours. Flexible approach to service delivery and committed approach to development. Committed to share in professional, managerial and teaching responsibilities necessary to fulfil the obligations of the Directorate, to the Trust and its workforce. Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives and healthcare workers and other agencies. Evidence of understanding of and adherence to principles of Good Medical Practice set out by the GMC.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Address Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kyall Road
Sunderland
SR4 7TP
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)