About this role
Job summary
As a Locum Consultant in Palliative Medicine at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, you will join one of England's best-performing and most highly rated NHS organisations, providing high-quality specialist care across two main hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--as well as a network of community-based services. You will be part of a multidisciplinary environment that serves a diverse population and delivers award-winning services, including complex medical, cancer, and supportive care pathways.
In this role, you will provide expert palliative and end-of-life care, collaborating closely with acute teams, community partners, and specialist services to support patients with complex symptom management and holistic needs. You will contribute to high-quality clinical care, leadership, teaching, and service development within a Trust that continually invests in its facilities--including major expansions in critical care and diagnostic services--to enhance patient experience and clinical outcomes. You will join a motivated, well-supported workforce of more than 6,000 staff who are PROUD to Care and who consistently recommend the Trust as an excellent place to work and receive treatment.
Please note: Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Main duties of the job
Please refer to the attached job description document for a detailed list of the main duties of the job.
About us
Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.
We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.
We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide an efficient and responsive clinical service for patients requiring supportive and palliative care.
Deliver highquality specialist palliative care within the hospital and community settings.
Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support patients and relatives across the palliative care pathway.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key colleagues across community and hospital services.
Participate in crossclinical cover within other areas of the specialist palliative care service, including liaison with hospital teams.
Contribute to strategic development and service improvement initiatives across the palliative care service.
Participate in rota arrangements for the palliative care service as required.
Provide clinical leadership and guidance within the palliative care team.
Support education, training, and development opportunities for colleagues within the service.
Contribute to the coordination and delivery of a 7day visiting and oncall service, if the department has such arrangement in place.
Engage in servicewide quality improvement, innovation, and integrated models of care.
Provide specialist advice and support to other healthcare professionals managing palliative care needs.
Participate in multidisciplinary meetings to review patient needs and optimise care planning.
Ensure continuity and safety of patient care through effective documentation and communication.
Promote a compassionate, personcentred approach to endoflife care across all clinical interactions.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) and licence to practise
- Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register for Palliative Medicine, or within 6 months of CCT at the time of interview
- MBBS or equivalent primary medical qualification
Experience
Essential
- Substantial experience delivering specialist palliative care within hospital and/or community settings
- Experience of managing complex symptom control and end-of-life care for patients with advanced illness
- Experience of working effectively within multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams
- Experience of providing senior clinical advice and support to other medical and nursing teams
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent clinical assessment and decision-making skills in palliative and supportive care
- Strong communication skills, including advanced communication with patients, families, and carers
- Sound knowledge of national guidance, standards, and best practice in palliative and end-of-life care
- Ability to contribute to service development, quality improvement, teaching, and clinical governance
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Demonstrates compassion, empathy, and professionalism when caring for patients, families, and carers in emotionally complex and sensitive situations
- Able to work calmly and effectively under pressure, managing uncertainty and complex decision-making with resilience
- Strong team-working ethos, with the ability to build positive, collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams
- Committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care and upholding NHS values, equality, and dignity at all times
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
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
369 Fulham Rd.
London
SW10 9NH
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)