About this role
Job summary
We are seeking to appoint a substantive Colorectal and General Surgeon to work on the Bedford Hospital site which is part of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
This is a replacement for a well-established post and offers the opportunity to become part of a dynamic and enthusiastic team of 8 GI Consultant Surgeons who deliver safe and effective care for Colorectal, Upper Gastro-Intestinal and General surgical patients. The appointee will run colorectal and general surgery outpatient clinics, participate in the General Surgery on-call Rota on a 1:8 basis and carry out endoscopy and theatre sessions.The appointee will be encouraged and supported in developing their own specialty interests in benign Colorectal and General Surgery within the overall job plan, and to improve the pathway, depending on the interest of the candidate and the needs of the service.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work with the colorectal surgeons to provide post-operative care including returns to theatre if there are complications. The post holder will be responsible to the Clinical Director. The proposed timetable will be discussed with applicants. This will need to be changed from time to time to respond to the demands of the service. In case of difficulties of any kind, the post holder will seek the advice of the appropriate consultant. Maintenance of the highest clinical standards in the management of all colorectal and general surgical patients. To work closely with General Surgery department in the management of General Surgery patients requiring admission Teaching and training of resident doctors, nursing staff and medical students. Participation in the emergency on-call rotas.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job
Job description Job responsibilities
It is an exciting time to be joining Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which has resulted from the merger of The Luton and Dunstable University Hospital and Bedford Hospital NHS Trusts. The merger took place on 1 April 2020 and under the umbrella of the single NHS Trust both hospitals retain their identity and individual hospital names. Key services will remain on both sites and be managed as single teams across the whole Bedfordshire catchment area. The Colorectal department is currently evolving with the development of robotic surgery on both sites from 2023.
Applicants must be fully registered on the UK General Medical Councils Specialist Register and have MRCP. Specialist Registrars may apply if within 6 months of CCT.
Residence is required within ten miles by road or thirty minutes travelling time of the Hospital.
Key Contacts
Ms Katharine Bevan Clinical Director - Colorectal & General Surgery
Mr Yuksel Gercek Colorectal Clinical Lead
David Cox General Manager - General Surgery, Obesity, Gastroenterology and Endoscopy
[email protected] (07739 230294)
An informal visit may be arranged by appointment
Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Please note that all shortlisted candidates will be required to attend a virtual pre-interview assessment process.
Advert Closing Date: 14th June 2026
Assessment Date: wk comm 29th June 2026 (Date TBC)
Interview Date: 10th July 2026
Person Specification
Registration Essential
Full GMC Registration (GMC License to Practice is mandatory before employment commences) Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register via CCT (or within 6 months of receipt of CCT at time of interview) or CESR portfolio pathway (must be on Specialist Register at time of applying)
Qualifications Essential
MB ChB or equivalent FRCS (General Surgery) or equivalent JAG accredition in colonoscopy
Desirable
Post graduate qualification MSc, MD, PhD, MA, Masters in Education
Knowledge and Clinical skills Essential
Excellent all round experience of District general hospital
Management/Audit Essential
Understand the principles of audit
Desirable
Evidence of participation in audit projects, relevant to surgery
Teaching research/Publications Essential
Teaching of medicine to trainees and other medical students
Desirable
Some research experience
Personal Skills Essential
Ability to communicate effectively and co-operate well with all staff and patients Flexible attitude, team player with good time management Leadership skills
Personal circumstances Essential
Residence within 10 miles by road or up to thirty minutes travelling time of the hospital for purposes of on-call emergencies Satisfactory DBS check Satisfactory Trust health screening prior to appointment
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 Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Bedford site
Kempston Road
Bedford
MK42 9DJ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)