About this role
Job summary
This post is for a Consultant in Gastroenterology. This is a whole-time post offering an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated Medic to join a dynamic, rapidly expanding team delivering multidisciplinary acute care in Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.
Applicants are required to hold Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (UK or equivalent qualifications), to be fully registered with the General Medical Council, and to be on the Specialist Register for General and Thoracic Medicine, completed CCT or due to obtain their CCT within six months of the date of interview, or Certificate of Eligibility to specialist register CESR, or European Community Rights.
Please note, interviews will be held on Monday 20th July 2026.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will join the current 11 Gastroenterologists based in Whiston Hospital offering comprehensive gastrointestinal (GI) services including advanced therapeutic endoscopy, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hepatology and management of malignant disease and nutrition disorders. All Gastroenterologists also see patients with General Internal Medicine (GIM) problems. The new Consultant is expected to work with the existing workforce to cope with increased general demand in gastroenterology and endoscopy services. The appointed candidate will be encouraged to develop their special interest in IBD medicine to complement the existing services. The appointee will contribute to an OOH Gastroenterology/GI Bleed rota.
The team provides cover for in-patients on a 33-bed ward on the Whiston site. There is a modern, well equipped 2 room, JAG accredited, Endoscopy Unit with facilities for screening on the Whiston site and a further 4 room Endoscopy Unit on the St Helens site for outpatient cases only. The procedure rooms are used by both Physicians and Surgeons. There is a close liaison between the Gastroenterologists and GI surgeons. There are five specialist upper GI Surgeons and six colorectal Surgeons. All GI surgeons have subspecialty interests, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery. There is a monthly joint medical/surgical IBD clinic.
About us
The Secretary of State has approved the partnership between St Helens & Knowsley Teaching Hospitals and Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals.
From 1st July we have come together as a single organisation under the name Mersey & West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
The Trust delivers acute hospital care, intermediate care, community, and primary care services to a population of over 600,000 people with a combined workforce of around 9000 dedicated and skilled staff from 17 locations including Whiston, Southport & Formby, St Helens, Ormskirk and Newton hospitals.
The Trust provides regional services for burns, plastic surgery and spinal injuries to more than 4 million people across Mersey and West Lancashire, Cheshire, the Isle of Man and North Wales.
Our Vision is to deliver 5 Star Patient Care:
CAREthat is evidence based, high quality and compassionate SAFETY that is of the highest standards COMMUNICATION that is open, inclusive and respectful SYSTEMS that are efficient, patient centred and reliable PATHWAYS that are best practice and embedded, but also respect the individual needs of patients Our achievements include:
Trust rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018 Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal) Awarded National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for our Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme Please see our Wellbeing & Benefits booklet for more information on our staff benefits. Accessible version available.
Job description Job responsibilities
Job Plan
To be discussed & agreed with CD on appointment. The job attracts 10 programmed activity sessions (DCC 7.5 including 0.5 PA for weekend working; 1.5 core SPA+1 additional SPA depending on individual job plan) with 3% uplift on call supplement for undertaking gastroenterology on call commitments.
Job plans within the department are flexible. When all the appointments are in post, there will be a rotational system (1 in 8) with time on and off the wards. During the time on the ward (2 weeks with weekend working in the middle), all outpatient and endoscopy activity will be cancelled to concentrate in managing the wards with daily ward rounds (3 ward rounds & 2 board rounds (4 DCC), covering emergencies & ward referrals (2 DCC).
The typical weekly job plan while off the wards would consist of a mix of OPD sessions and endoscopy sessions (max 6 DCC). Four of these sessions will be regular fixed sessions with 1-2 flexible sessions to ensure we are able to backfill & prevent loss of direct clinical care due to colleagues absence.
The schedule is published six or more weeks in advance. The rest of the DCC is dedicated to patient related admin and specialty interest.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Applicants must hold full registration with the GMC at the time of application MBBS or equivalent medical qualifications MRCP (UK) or equivalent medical qualification Entry on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register via one of the following routes: oCertificate of Completion of Training (CCT) (the proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of the interview) oCertificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) oEuropean Community Rights European Specialty Examination in Gastroenterology and Hepatology (ESEGH).
Desirable
MSc, MD, PhD, or equivalent Advanced Life Support (ALS) Provider Membership of appropriate societies
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to Gastroenterology/GIM problems. Specialist knowledge and experience in order to manage, supervise and/or offer expert clinical opinion on the management of a range of gastroenterology problems both emergency and elective and within speciality including diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. Advanced training in IBD medicine at a tertiary centre Demonstrates the necessary range, depth and breadth of competencies specified in the Acute Medicine curriculum and applying to this post.
Desirable
Research Experience with NIHR AI or PI training
Skills Essential
JAG accreditation in diagnostic/therapeutic upper & lower GI endoscopy. Demonstrates ability to undertake robust audit /QIP within the last 3 years. Research/publication/presentation in General Medicine/ Gastroenterology in a peer reviewed journals/regional or national meeting, in the last 3 years. Experience of management & leadership. Evidence of appropriate teaching experience in the last 3 years. Experience of providing and organising education sessions for doctors in training/healthcare learners Have the skills necessary to be a clinical supervisor & have GMC educational supervisor recognition or be prepared to work towards this Experience of formally supervising medical students, Foundation Programme Trainees and Higher Specialist Trainees
Desirable
Endoscopy Training the Trainers
Other Essential
Demonstrates clarity in written/spoken communication & capacity to adapt language as appropriate to the situation. Meets professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards/Good Medical Practice) Able to build rapport, listen, persuade & negotiate Able to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, GPs nurses and other agencies in relation to the role. Capacity to use logical/lateral thinking to solve problems/make decisions Demonstrates capacity to work effectively with others. Able to work in multi-professional teams Capacity to manage/prioritise time and information effectively. Has basic IT skills Capacity to operate under pressure. Demonstrates initiative & resilience to cope with changing circumstances Capacity to take responsibility for own actions
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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 Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Address Whiston Hospital
Warrington Road
Prescot
L35 5DR
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)