About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Medical Consultant to join our team in Newcastle and play an important medical role in managing patients with complex palliative care needs.
Main duties of the job
Marie Curie Hospice, Newcastle is an 18-bed hospice providing specialist palliative care, including symptom control, rehabilitation, respite, and end-of-life care. Rated Outstanding by the CQC, the hospice has a multidisciplinary team of medical, nursing, and allied health professionals, supported by a Wellbeing Centre and dedicated therapy facilities.
The post holder will provide expert care for patients with complex palliative care needs, taking clinical responsibility for those with malignant and non-malignant conditions. The role requires excellent communication skills and close collaboration with healthcare professionals across the region to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care.
The successful applicant will have experience in palliative care, demonstrate leadership skills, and be committed to service development and delivering compassionate care to patients and their families.
The post holder will contribute to the education of junior doctors, trainees, and medical students, participate in audit activities, and support evidence-based practice through teaching, clinical effectiveness initiatives, research, and service improvement projects.
In addition to clinical and educational responsibilities, the post holder will help plan and deliver hospice services while maintaining and enhancing clinical excellence across the Newcastle Hospice.
About us Every day of your life matters - from the first to the last. When you work for Marie Curie, you understand that better than ever. We're a passionate, committed and diverse team of more than 3,500 staff and 5,000 volunteers, here for people living with any terminal illness, and their families. We offer expert care, guidance and support, to help them get the most from the time they have left Everyone knows our daffodil, but it's our warmth, creativity and care that touch lives. Here, we take the time to really get to know the people we care for and those who love them. And we do whatever it takes to give them the final days and hours they deserve.
Job description Job responsibilities
Job Title: Consultant in Palliative Medicine
Location: Marie Curie Hospice, Newcastle
Salary: NHS Pay Circular M&D 1/2026R2 - £113,565 to £150,569 per annum pro rata. (Placement on the salary scale is dependent on experience) 2% availability supplement.
Hours: 6 PAs per week with 1 in 5 Consultant on-call commitment
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 15th November 2026
Interview Date: TBC
Marie Curie Hospice, Newcastle, is an 18-bed hospice for symptom control, rehabilitation, respite, and palliative care. It has a well-established multidisciplinary team comprising nursing, medical, and Allied Health Professionals and is currently CQC-rated as Outstanding. Facilities include the Well Being Centre with consulting rooms for outpatients, communal spaces, and a dedicated complementary therapy space.
The post-holder will play an important medical role in managing patients with complex palliative care needs and taking clinical responsibility for patients with both malignant and non-malignant conditions. This role requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills and involves liaison with specialists across the region to ensure the highest standards of patient care.
The successful applicant will have demonstrable leadership skills and experience in palliative care in a wide range of settings. In addition, this role demands a commitment to providing patient-focused care, with the desire to develop services for and alongside patients and their families.
The post holder will participate in teaching within the hospice for junior doctors, registrars and medical students and have previous experience of participating in audit programmes. There is a commitment to evidence-based medical practice supported by a regular journal club, teaching sessions, a clinical effectiveness group and a desire to develop research programmes. We encourage personal and professional development as part of this role.
In addition to clinical and educational roles, the post holder will be involved in the planning and delivering services provided by the Newcastle Hospice, and activities relating to maintaining clinical excellence within the service.
Applicants must have full GMC registration and be on or eligible within 6 months from the date of interview for inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register for Palliative Medicine (via CCT, CESR or EC rights).
Arrangements will be made for mentorship for newly appointed consultants.
For an informal discussion about this role or to arrange a visit, please contact:
Dr Simon Challand, Medical Director and Consultant in Palliative Medicine at [email protected]
Dr Kym Wakefield, Consultant in Palliative Medicine at [email protected]
Marie Curie is committed to its values, which underpin our work.We take stringent steps to ensure that the people who join our organisation through employment or volunteering are suitable for their roles and are committed to safeguarding all our people from harm. This includes our staff, volunteers and all those who use or come into contact with our services. We are dedicated to creating not just a safe place to work but also a supportive and rewarding one.
We are committed to a world where everyone can thrive and fulfil their potential. We are devoted to the social justice imperatives and organisational benefits of full diversity, inclusion and equity in the workplace and are a Stonewall champion. We actively encourage and welcome applications from candidates of diverse cultures, perspectives and lived experiences.
This role will be subject to receiving a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure Check.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early.Agencies need not apply.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Higher Medical Qualification: FRCP; MRCP(UK); FRCA; MRCGP GMC-registered medical practitioner with a licence to practise Be on or be eligible within 6 months from the date of interview for inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register for Palliative Medicine (via CCT, CESR or EC rights)
Desirable
An appropriate higher degree (MSc, MD, PhD or equivalent)
Experience Essential
Experience in palliative care in a wide range of settings Excellent communication skills Demonstrable person-centred, compassionate leadership skills Ability to take on full responsibility for the independent management of patients and running a service
Desirable
Evidence of role in the development of clinical service
Personal attributes Essential
Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and with colleagues in other disciplines Able to organise time efficiently and effectively Able to motivate colleagues Able to demonstrate strategies for self-care and sustainability
Desirable
Previous managerial training and experience
Teaching, audit and research Essential
Committed to formal and informal teaching and training of registrars, junior doctors and medical students Participation in audit, quality improvement and quality assurance projects Previous experience of teaching and designing, and conducting audit programmes
Desirable
Evidence of teaching qualification or learning Research Interest
Motivation Essential
Committed to patient-focused care, learning and continuous professional development, and effective and efficient use of resources Desire to develop services for patients and families
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.
Employer details Employer name Marie Curie
Address Marie Curie Newcastle Hospice
Newcastle
NE4 6SS
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)