Acute Physician Consultant

NHS Dumfries and Galloway wish to appoint an Acute Medicine Consultant based in the Combined Assessment Unit (CAU) at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary (DGRI). This District General hospital opened in 2017 and has 347 beds, serving a population of around 148000 in the University town of Dumfries and the surrounding region.

The post holder will work closely with the three existing Acute Medicine Consultants to provide senior presence and clinical leadership within the CAU, and will join a team of Consultant Physicians providing services in Acute/General Medicine at DGRI. The post holder will contribute to the management of the CAU and work to develop changes in practice to improve the quality of patient care or facilitate early discharge. He/she will contribute to clinical governance and audit within the Unit, and will provide teaching and supervision of nursing staff, junior medical staff and medical students. There will be an opportunity to maintain an existing specialty interest or Acute Medicine Special Skill, subject to negotiation and local service needs.

The post holder will:
Undertake the assessment and triage of acute medical patients referred from the Emergency Department or Primary care to the CAU. He/she will be supported in this role by dedicated junior medical staff rostered to the unit and will provide on-site clinical guidance for this team.

Establish an initial investigation and clinical management plan for patients admitted to CAU.

See and assess selected patients in an Ambulatory Emergency Care setting within the CAU.

Work with the existing Acute Medicine Consultants to develop alternatives to in-patient admission, supported by rapid access to diagnostic services.

Help to provide a Monday to Friday rapid access review service for patients referred from Primary Care.

Facilitate the rapid discharge of appropriate patients, including early transfer to Community Hospitals when appropriate.

Develop links with the Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit, as detailed in the Royal College of Physicians of London documents, The Interface of Accident and Emergency and Acute Care Medicine, The Interface between Acute Medicine and Critical Care and Acute Medical Care ‘the right person, in the right setting – first time.

Partake in the general medical on-call rota at a frequency of 1 in 12 (1 in 6 weekends)

The post holder will also provide a key leadership role for the clinical services represented within the CAU. This will entail working with lead nurses and AHPs to develop protocols and care pathways. Participation in initiatives to improve clinical effectiveness and maximise the use of hospital facilities will be an important part of the job, and there will be opportunities to develop new initiatives to improve patient care. The post holder will be expected to participate in the delivery of educational programmes for medical and nursing staff within the CAU.

The appointment will be on a whole-time basis under the terms of the new consultant contract. The job plan, which will be subject to review, will contain 10 programmed activities. Additional SPAs may be incorporated into the job plan, depending on the time required to support the successful candidate’s professional activities and the needs of the service.

Dumfries and Galloway offers beautiful countryside, from rugged cliffs and sandy beaches to forests, hills and rolling plains. There is a wide range of activities on offer, with watersports, fishing, birdwatching, golf, mountain-biking or cycling along the network of rural roads and much more. House prices are reasonable, schools are good and you are within 2 hours of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Lake District and Newcastle.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway offer a full relocation package.

Applications for part-time or job share employment are also welcome.

For any further details please contact Dr Sian Finlay, Acute Medicine Consultant (01387 241009) e-mail address - sian.finlay@nhs.scot; Dr Alex McDonald, Acute Medicine and Critical Care Consultant (01387 246246) ext 31528, email address – alexander.mcdonald2@nhs.scot

Arrangements to visit the department can be made through Medical Staffing on 01387 246246, Extension 34143 or dg.medicaldentaladmin@nhs.scot