Job Overview
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer an exceptional opportunity for an enthusiastic and passionate Consultant Geriatrician to join our dynamic Department of Older People’s Medicine at Ipswich Hospital. This is a permanent substantive consultant position offering a generous welcome package including a £12,000 welcome bonus and relocation costs. We welcome applications from international medical professionals seeking to relocate to the United Kingdom, and we are pleased to confirm that Certificate of Sponsorship is available for eligible candidates.
About Our Trust
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) provides comprehensive hospital and community health services to nearly one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver exceptional care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, clinics, and in patients’ own homes. As one of the largest NHS organizations in England, we employ over 12,000 staff members committed to delivering outstanding healthcare services.
Our Philosophy: Time Matters
At ESNEFT, we believe that Time Matters to everyone. Across our Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients. We are investing significantly in our commitment to Time Matters through our partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for both staff and patients.
Enhanced Welcome Package
Our Enhanced Welcome package includes an additional £12,000 welcome bonus and comprehensive relocation costs to thank you for choosing to work at our trust and begin your new journey with ESNEFT. This substantial financial support demonstrates our commitment to attracting top international talent and ensuring a smooth transition for medical professionals relocating to the United Kingdom.
Certificate of Sponsorship
We are pleased to confirm that 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 will provide Certificate of Sponsorship for successful international candidates meeting the necessary requirements. For further information about UK visa requirements, please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will run ward rounds on our innovative virtual ward, supported by a Staff Grade doctor or Specialist Registrar. The post holder may act as the clinical supervisor for the junior team, involving daily consultant-led board rounds conducted on our online platform (TEAMS). You will be expected to provide appropriate clinical leadership to our progressive, innovative multidisciplinary ward team while delivering exceptional patient-centered care.
Emergency Department Frailty Assessments
The post holder will have scheduled time working in the Emergency Department as part of our FIT team, completing comprehensive frailty assessments of patients at the ‘front door’. These patients can then be seen in our Frailty Assessment Base (FAB), and the successful candidate will be required to cover two sessions per week. During your time in FAB/front door frailty, you may also hold the “hot phone” – a mobile phone that enables any GP or community therapist to phone for advice or to book same/next day patients into FAB.
On-Call Responsibilities
This post can include a slot on the general medicine on-call rota, which operates on a 1 in 8 weekends basis (one day only). This involves a 12-hour shift in the Emergency Assessment Unit reviewing acutely admitted patients, followed by availability overnight from home if needed. The on-call service is supported by an acute on-call junior team and two medical Specialist Registrars during the day, with a Hospital at Night scheme providing overnight coverage.
Service Development Opportunities
We invite candidates with sub-specialist skills and attributes, such as onco-geriatrics, orthopaedic liaison, or virtual ward community experience. We would be happy, where possible, to negotiate time within the timetable to allow these specialized skills to flourish and contribute to our service development initiatives.
GLINT Initiative
The GLINT (Geriatric Liaison to the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams) represents our strategic plan to move some falls assessments out of FAB and into local teams with consultant support. This innovative approach will significantly improve patient experience while eliminating duplication of assessment between community and FAB therapists. This clinic is already established in some localities and actively being developed in others.
Person Specification: Essential Criteria
To be considered for this position, candidates must demonstrate inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register for Geriatrics or be within six months of the expected date of CCT (or eligible for entry onto these registers within 6 months of application). Additional essential qualifications include MRCP or equivalent certification, evidence of working effectively within multi-disciplinary teams, and the ability to organize and prioritize complex clinical demands.
Clinical Expertise Requirements
The ideal candidate will possess the ability to offer expert clinical opinion on a full range of acute medical emergencies, rehabilitation, and intermediate care scenarios. You must demonstrate evidence of teaching and training skills for junior doctors, the ability to manage risk and make end-of-life decisions, and hold a full driving licence with regular access to a car for community-based work requirements.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
While not essential, desirable qualifications include training in appraisal techniques, possession of a postgraduate diploma or higher degree, and knowledge of current national agendas affecting the NHS and their implications. We also value evidence of quality improvement work that has brought about positive change, management training and experience, training in teaching human factors, and living within a 10-mile radius of the relevant hospital site.
Working Patterns and Flexibility
We offer flexible working arrangements to accommodate diverse needs and promote work-life balance. Full-time, part-time, and flexible working opportunities will all be considered, demonstrating our commitment to supporting our staff in achieving their career goals while maintaining personal wellbeing. We pride ourselves on supporting our staff through a wide range of training and development opportunities.
Comprehensive Benefits Package
Along with supporting your career development, we offer a generous NHS pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata), and access to a comprehensive range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offers a variety of services designed to support your physical and mental health throughout your career with us.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through the NHS Jobs website before the closing date of 03 October 2025. The reference number for this position is 432-MI2736. Please ensure your application demonstrates how you meet the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the person specification.
Contact Information
For questions about this position or to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Dr Dan Coates, Clinical Lead, at Dan.Coates@esneft.nhs.uk or by telephone at 01473 704674. We encourage potential applicants to reach out for an informal discussion about this exciting opportunity.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. 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. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
UK Professional Registration Requirements
All applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information regarding professional registration requirements, please visit the NHS Careers website. International medical professionals should ensure they understand the registration process with the General Medical Council (GMC) before applying.
Why Choose ESNEFT?
There has never been a more exciting time to join our team and work with us to develop services that meet the needs of our older population, enabling them to age well and with dignity in an ever-changing healthcare landscape. We don’t believe in always doing the same things and we welcome individuals who can bring new ideas and innovative approaches to geriatric medicine.
Commitment to Equality and Diversity
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and disability confident employer. We are happy to talk flexible working and actively support apprenticeships. We are also recognized as a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver award holder and maintain a smoke-free environment across all our facilities.
Location and Facilities
The position is based at Ipswich Hospital, located at Heath Road, Ipswich, IP4 5PD. Our hospital offers modern facilities and excellent support services, creating an ideal environment for delivering high-quality geriatric care. The location provides excellent transport links and access to the beautiful Suffolk countryside and coastline.
Professional Development Opportunities
We are committed to supporting your continuous professional development through access to various training programs, research opportunities, and clinical supervision. Our forward-thinking department encourages innovation and service development, providing an ideal environment for consultants looking to advance their careers in geriatric medicine.
How to Apply
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge in a supportive and innovative environment, we want to hear from you. Please apply through the NHS Jobs website using the reference number 432-MI2736. We look forward to receiving your application and potentially welcoming you to our dedicated team at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.