Important Visa Information
This position is eligible for a Certificate of Sponsorship for international candidates. Wye Valley NHS Trust welcomes applications from healthcare professionals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. However, applicants must verify their eligibility for the relevant visa category directly with the employer before applying. The trust is committed to supporting international talent but cannot guarantee visa approval – this depends on meeting UK Visas and Immigration requirements.
About the Position
Wye Valley NHS Trust wishes to appoint a Substantive Consultant Breast Surgeon, to be based at the County Hospital, Hereford. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced breast surgeons looking to relocate to the UK, offering both professional growth and an exceptional quality of life in one of England’s safest counties. The post is intended as whole-time (10 PA’s), but applications from candidates wishing to work part-time for personal or domestic reasons will be considered with appropriate modifications.
Location and Lifestyle Benefits
Herefordshire offers a unique combination of city convenience with rural lifestyle benefits. Ranked as one of the safest counties to live in England, it provides an ideal environment for healthcare professionals and their families. The area boasts excellent schools, low crime rates, and stunning natural landscapes including the Black Mountains on the Welsh border. International relocating professionals will find a welcoming community with excellent transport links to major cities while enjoying the tranquility of countryside living.
Working Arrangements
This post will not include any on-call duties, offering an excellent work-life balance compared to many surgical positions in the UK. The successful candidate will work full-time, though part-time applications will be considered for personal or domestic reasons. The post focuses exclusively on breast surgery without requiring involvement in pediatric surgical care, allowing for specialization in this important field.
Clinical Responsibilities
Elective clinical commitments will include new patient Breast symptomatic clinics, weekly Breast multidisciplinary meetings (with video link to Herefordshire and Worcestershire Breast Screening Service), and elective Breast Surgery/Clinics. Breast Oncoplasty training and experience are essential for this role. The successful candidate will join a team of three surgeons in dedicated breast clinic rooms equipped with ultrasound technology.
Facilities and Resources
The trust has invested in purpose-built facilities including The Macmillan-Renton Unit, a dedicated oncology facility with an attached Radiotherapy wing. Breast outpatient clinics take place in purpose-built rooms with advanced equipment. The Breast reconstructive surgery service is supported by Plastic Surgeons based at QEH, Birmingham, ensuring comprehensive care for all patients.
Person Specification – Education & Qualifications
Essential requirements include Full GMC Registration, being on the GMC Specialist Register or within 6 months of attaining CCT in General Surgery (with a Breast Interest), and holding a valid Licence to practise. Desirable qualifications include a higher degree such as MD/PhD or equivalent research publications. Candidates must demonstrate their eligibility for UK professional registration and meet all GMC requirements.
Experience Requirements
Essential experience includes wide experience in diagnosis and management of Breast disease, plus extensive experience in procedures necessary to diagnose and treat symptomatic and screen-detected Breast disease. Desirable experience encompasses independent unsupervised breast reconstruction operating skills, formal breast Oncoplasty and Breast Reconstruction training, and experience with contralateral symmetrisation procedures.
Professional Development
Applicants must demonstrate effective participation in clinical audit and quality improvement programmes. Desirable qualifications include completion of formal courses in audit and quality improvement, along with training in teaching methodologies. The trust encourages continuous professional development and supports consultants in maintaining their skills and knowledge through various educational opportunities.
Research and Academic Requirements
Candidates must show understanding and interest in research, ability to appraise research critically, and capacity to supervise juniors in research projects. Evidence of recent research and development activity is essential, along with enthusiasm for service development and teaching. Desirable achievements include publications in nationally and internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals relevant to breast surgery.
Teaching and Training Commitments
Essential requirements include experience and commitment to training undergraduate and postgraduates, appraisal and assessment skills, ability to assess clinical competencies, and enthusiasm for inspiring and leading others. Desirable qualifications include postgraduate teaching qualifications, academic experience in teaching hospitals, and willingness to develop innovative teaching approaches.
Personal Qualities
The successful candidate will demonstrate leadership ability, strong team-working skills, capacity to motivate staff, excellent communication skills (both oral and written), ability to work under pressure, and flexibility in working hours. These personal qualities are essential for thriving in the NHS environment and providing the highest standard of patient care.
Management Responsibilities
Essential management capabilities include effective multidisciplinary team participation, junior supervision, team leadership, workload organization, change management skills, administrative experience, service development awareness, and commitment to post and service growth. Desirable qualifications include understanding of the wider health agenda, clinical governance knowledge, and accredited management training.
Trust Values and Behaviours
All candidates must demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s Values and Behaviours: Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. The trust believes in providing the right care in the right place at the right time…all the time. These values underpin all aspects of service delivery and professional conduct within the organization.
Technical Requirements
Proficiency in the use of IT systems is essential for this role. Candidates must be comfortable with electronic patient records, digital imaging systems, and other healthcare technologies used within the trust. This includes specialized breast imaging software and multidisciplinary team communication platforms.
Certificate of Sponsorship Details
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. The trust has experience supporting international healthcare professionals through the visa application process. From April 2017, skilled worker applicants must present criminal record certificates from each country where they have resided for 12+ months in the past 10 years.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous criminal convictions. All healthcare professionals working in the UK must undergo this standard safeguarding procedure. International candidates should be prepared to provide equivalent documentation from their home countries.
UK Professional Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration or be eligible to obtain it. For further information on UK registration requirements, please refer to the NHS Careers website for overseas healthcare professionals. The trust will provide support with the registration process for successful international candidates.
How to Apply
Apply via the NHS Jobs website. International applicants should include details of their visa status and eligibility for sponsorship in their application. The application must include proof of GMC registration, evidence of specialist qualifications, and contact details for professional references. For questions about the job, contact Mr Adedayo Adeyemo (Clinical Director – Surgical Specialities) at adedayo.adeyemo@wvt.nhs.uk or 01432364021.
Application Checklist for International Candidates
Before applying, international candidates should verify: 1) eligibility for UK professional registration, 2) visa requirements for working as a doctor in the UK, 3) English language proficiency requirements, 4) criminal record checks from all countries of residence, and 5) documentation of qualifications equivalent to UK CCT. Early contact with the employer regarding sponsorship questions is recommended.
About Wye Valley NHS Trust
Wye Valley NHS Trust is a progressive and forward-looking organization with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways. As a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT, George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, it offers excellent collaborative opportunities. More than 3,500 people work for the Trust, which blends the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural county.
Trust Commitment to Staff
Russell Hardy, Trust Chairman: “The strength of the Trust is its amazing staff; a great place to work, a great place to develop your career and a great place to reach your potential.” The trust offers great work-life balance and has a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential. International staff receive comprehensive support with relocation and integration into both the workplace and local community.
Further Information
For additional information about this position or the trust, please visit https://www.wyevalley.nhs.uk/. The complete Job Description and Person Specification document is available for download on the NHS Jobs website. Applications must be submitted by 13 January 2026. The trust is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of background.
Contact Information
For questions about the job or application process, please contact:
Mr Adedayo Adeyemo
Clinical Director – Surgical Specialities
Email: adedayo.adeyemo@wvt.nhs.uk
Phone: 01432364021
Wye Valley NHS Trust
Hereford County Hospital
Hereford
HR1 2ER
Application deadline: 13 January 2026