About this role
Job summary
Job summary
Overgate is the Hospice that serves the people of Calderdale and was founded in 1981 It has grown since then to provide specialist palliative care to twelve inpatient beds (one of which is a booked respite bed for patients with specialist palliative care needs) and day hospice services both within the hospice and at hubs throughout Calderdale. The Hospice also provides bereavement care and counselling, specialist palliative care social work services, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, complementary therapies, chaplaincy services, diversional therapies and a 24-hour advice line for professionals. Our aspirations include development of services to support patients in their own homes, and we have a team of Specialist Palliative Care Community Educators to support primary care professionals in the palliative care they deliver; this will strengthen our good relationship with local primary care services. In 2024 ground will be broken to start the building of a new purpose built sixteen bedded single room occupancy hospice within the grounds of the current hospice
CHfTs Medical Director provides Overgate Hospice with its Responsible Officer for Revalidation. Overgates patients have access to diagnostic services at CHfT and doctors have access to the trust intranet, including diagnostics results services, and electronic patient record (EPR) systems including CHfTs EPR, SystmOne, PPM (the local oncology electronic record) and PASWEB (where patients results can be accessed)
Main duties of the job
To provide medical care to inpatients at Overgate Hospice, alongside the multi-professional team.
To provide medical input to Day Hospice patients at Overgate Hospice, with good independent decision-making skills.
To provide support to primary care teams and other professionals.
To support and advise any medical colleagues & students who are more junior/less experienced in palliative medicine.
To participate in the non-resident on-call rota.
To maintain and administer medical records as per Hospice policy.
To ensure confidentiality of information is always preserved, whether at, or away from work.
To be involved in audit, research, and service development programmes as appropriate.
To participate actively in multi-professional discussions and meetings.
To help ensure that the high standard of medical care and support for carers and families at the Hospice is maintained.
To work closely with the Medical Director and Associate Specialist, to ensure provision of medical input throughout the Hospice.
To maintain standards and quality of care throughout the services delivered by the Hospice, by participating in standard setting and audit, attending relevant meetings, and contributing to Hospice policies, procedures, and guidelines.
To support the development of clinical governance, including a commitment to clinical audit, risk management, staff development, peer review and appraisal within the Hospice governance framework.
About us
Overgate Hospice is an independent charity with a mission to ensure that patients and those close to them live with the best possible quality of life. This is enabled by provision of the highest standard of compassionate and evidence-based specialist palliative and end of life care for adults in Calderdale who have active, progressive life limiting illness.
However, the current constraints of our ageing facilities are making this more difficult than ever. Our ambitious redevelopment plans will modernise and expand our existing facilities to transform the environment in which we care for our patients
Safeguarding Children & Adults at Risk
All Hospice staff are required to act in such a way that always safeguards the health and well-being of children and adults at risk. Familiarisation with and adherence to the Hospice safeguarding policies is an essential requirement of all employees as is participation in related mandatory/statutory training.
Valuing Diversity and Equality
All employees should carry out their duties in accordance with the values and principles of valuing diversity and equity of provision. It is the responsibility of all employees to support the Hospice vision of promoting a positive attitude to diversity and equality of opportunity, to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage in service delivery and employment, and to manage, support or comply through the implementation of the Hospices Equal Opportunities Policy.
Job description Job responsibilities
Doctor (Fully Qualified)
Salary
£198.78 per 8-hour day
£99.39 per on call session
Hours 32 hours = 4 x 8hr days = 0.8 WTE per week
(Tuesdays - Fridays 8.30am-5pm)
PLUS 1 in 5 weeknights and weekends on call
Weeknights 5.00pm 8.30am = 1 session
Weekends Sat 8.30am - Mon 8.30am = 6 sessions
Contract Fixed term 12 months
Salary details
Overgate contributes to the cost of medical indemnity insurance
NHS pensions can be continued but not started in this role
Annual Leave Six weeks + ten public holidays (all pro rata)
Employer Overgate Hospice (not NHS)
Responsible to and supervised by Dr Rachel Sheils, Medical Director
Accountable to Tracey Wilcocks, Chief Executive
Closing date Sunday 01/11/2026
Interviews Week commencing 09/11/2026
Applications
Applications written using AI are strongly discouraged. Spoken communication is extremely important in this role. Interviews may be terminated if spoken language is at a significantly lower standard than the written application
Sponsorship
As a charity, Overgate does NOT provide sponsorship
Overgate Hospice is an independent charity with a mission to ensure that patients and those close to them live with the best possible quality of life. This is enabled by provision of the highest standard of compassionate and evidence-based specialist palliative and end of life care for adults in Calderdale who have active, progressive life limiting illness
Job Summary
The Hospice doctors work closely with the enthusiastic, experienced, multi-professional team, ensuring a high standard of medical care
Minimum Qualifications & Experience
Full registration with the GMC and a licence to practice
Completion of Foundation Year 1 & 2
Previous employment as a doctor in the NHS
Excellence in both written and spoken English language
Key Working Relationships
Medical Director
Director of Clinical Services, Deputy Director of Clinical Services
Medical Team
Nursing Teams in Day Hospice & Inpatient Unit
Multidisciplinary team
Community and Hospital Specialist Palliative Care Teams
Duties and Responsibilities
Clinical
High standards of medical and holistic care to patients & families
Support and advise less experienced colleagues & students
Participate in the non-resident on-call rota
Maintain and administer medical records as per Hospice policy, protecting the security of confidential data
Work collaboratively with all Hospice colleagues, including multi-professional discussions and meetings
Professional
Maintain standards and quality of care by participating in all aspects of good governance (audit, risk management, quality improvement, CPD, incident reporting & reflection, service development etc
Education
Engage with medical appraisal and revalidation
Participate in internal and external education sessions (attending and delivering)
Additional Information
The post-holder must participate in the on-call rota for the Inpatient Unit at a frequency of 1 in 5. This is non-resident and consultant advice is available 24/7 by telephone
At weekends, on-call duties include a ward round, any admissions, and then to be available (non-resident) for telephone or in-person care of inpatients
Prospective Cover Doctors provide prospective cover for each others leave
Any additional week day and on-call sessions worked to back-fill others leave attracts sessional payment at the usual rate
Study & Training
The post includes 2 hours non-clinical time /week
The Hospice is committed to continuous professional development (CPD) and will grant study leave with funding where appropriate
The main palliative medicine journals are available via Calderdale Royal Hospital (CRH) Library
A laptop is provided for work purposes
Hospice Medical Staffing
This post is one of five medical posts totalling 2.6 WTE plus a full time ACP
We also host a GP trainee (up to 0.4 WTE)
The Medical Director is appointed jointly with Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) and Overgate (0.9 WTE Hospice, 0.1 WTE CHFT)
Consultant telephone support is available 24/7
Administrative support is available
There is a medical team office
Overgate Hospice
Overgate Hospice serves the people of Calderdale and was founded in 1981. In August 2026 we opened our new inpatient unit, providing an outstanding environment for both patients and staff
We are situated between Huddersfield and Halifax, close to the M62
We provide specialist palliative inpatient care, Day Hospice services, respite, bereavement care, counselling, specialist social work, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, complementary & diversional therapies, chaplaincy services, and a 24-hour advice line for professionals
Overgate has an excellent relationship with CHFT, which provides our Revalidation Responsible Officer function and access to diagnostic services for patients
The medical team has access to CHFTs clinical systems and library services
Overgate provides e-learning via Blue Stream Academy
The Hospice has Wi-Fi access for staff and service usersOur fundraising team that generates most of our income, supplemented by some funding from West Yorkshire ICB
Calderdale Palliative Care Team
The community palliative care team is employed by CHFT
The palliative care team for the local hospital is based at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary
Appointment Procedure
The appointment will be by application and interview
It is subject to satisfactory pre-employment health screening, references and GMC-prescribed checks
The successful applicant will be required to produce evidence of hepatitis B immunity status
Applicants must be fully registered with the GMC with a Licence to Practice and have up to date medical indemnity insurance. Certificates must be produced prior to appointment
General Duties & Responsibilities
Overgate Hospice is a no smoking organisation
The employee must:
Maintain a safe working environment in accordance with Overgate Hospices Health and Safety policies & abide by the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)
Complete Hospice mandatory training
Comply with all Hospice policies & procedures at all times and participate in the development and implementation of policies
Be actively involved in Governance and support the audit cycle
Always maintain strict confidentiality, in all aspects of Hospice business and work within the guidelines of the Data Protection Act and GDPR
Demonstrate commitment to their own personal development and are required to make a positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the Hospice locally and nationally
Adhere to the Hospices Standards of Behaviour Framework in all aspects of their work
Use all Hospice resources economically and cost effectively
This job description is not exhaustive and will be subject to periodic review. The employer and the employee share responsibility to review and amend it as appropriate
Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk
All Hospice staff are required to act in such a way that always safeguards the health and well-being of children and adults at risk. Familiarisation with and adherence to the Hospice safeguarding policies is an essential requirement of all employees as is participation in related mandatory/statutory training
Valuing Diversity and Equality
All employees should carry out their duties in accordance with the values and principles of valuing diversity and equity. It is the responsibility of all employees to support the Hospice vision of promoting a positive attitude to diversity and equality of opportunity, to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage in service delivery and employment, and to manage, support or comply through the implementation of the Hospices Equal Opportunities Policy.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications and training
Essential
Full registration with the GMC, and a GMC licence to practiceEssentialCertification & direct check
As a minimum, completion of two years foundation training, or equivalent for doctors trained overseasEssentialApplication, Interview, and references
Employment as a doctor within the NHS (the post is not an NHS post, but as we share the care of our patients with the NHS, post holders must understand how the NHS functions in order to work effectively in this role)EssentialApplication, interviews and references
Desirable
Completion of Core Medical training or equivalent
M.R.C.P. / M.R.C.G.P.
Role-specific requirements
Essential
Ability to attend the Hospice within 60 minutes (maximum) when required during on-call periods
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
Knowledge of holistic care and the principles of palliative care, and ability to develop independent decision making in this specialist field
Able to demonstrate empathy towards patients and families, including ability to adapt style and practice to individual situations (i.e. patient-centred)
A commitment to continuous personal and professional development
Skills and Abilities
Essential
Maintain confidentiality
Communicate at an excellent standard in spoken and written English
Computer literate able to use email and Microsoft programmes including Word, and able to learn to use electronic patient records / information systems
Ability to provide leadership and direction relating to own discipline
Excellent team working and interpersonal skills, and co-operation in setting the on-call rota
Recognises and respects the skills of Hospice colleagues, and collaborates effectively
Personal attributes
Essential
Commitment to the purpose and values of Overgate HospiceEssentialApplication & Interview
Positive professional approach and image
Emotionally resilient, is aware of the need for good structures of support to cope with palliative medicine
Person Specification
Skills & Abilities Essential
Ability to communicate at an excellent standard in English - in speech and writing, and to maintain confidentiality Computer literate able to use email and Microsoft programmes including Word, and able to learn to use electronic patient records / information systems Ability to provide leadership and direction relating to own discipline Excellent team working and interpersonal skills, including co-operation in setting the on-call rota Able to recognise and respect the skills of others within the whole Hospice team and effectively collaborate with colleagues
Experience Essential
Knowledge of holistic care and the principles of palliative care, and ability to develop independent decision making in this specialist field Able to demonstrate empathy towards patients and families, including ability to adapt style and practice to individual situations (i.e. patient-centred) A commitment to personal development and continuing medical education
Personal Attributes Essential
Commitment to the purpose and values of Overgate Hospice Positive professional approach and image Emotionally resilient, and has an awareness of the need for good structures of support to cope with death and dying within the field of palliative medicine
Qualifications Essential
Full registration with the GMC, and as of 16.11.2009, a GMC licence to practice As a minimum, completion of two foundation years training, or equivalent for doctors trained overseas Employment as a doctor within the NHS (the post is not an NHS post, but as we share the care of our patients with the NHS, post holders must understand how the NHS functions in order to work effectively in this role)
Desirable
Completion of Core Medical training (post-foundation) medical experience or equivalent M.R.C.P. / M.R.C.G.P.
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 Overgate Hospice
Address 30 Hullen Edge Road
Elland
West Yorkshire
HX5 0QY
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.overgatehospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)