This is a new post for a locum Consultant Osesophago-gastric surgeon with an interest in bariatric and oesophago-gastric cancer surgery. This post has been created to cope with the workload within the service line (currently 285 PA's over job plans and likely to increase with increased general surgery and bariatric workload) and succession planning

The post-holder will work within the Service Line alongside the five existing Oesophago Gastric Surgeons, and will have expertise in bariatric surgery, benign Upper GI surgery, oesophago-gastric cancer surgery and emergency general surgery.

Main duties of the job

The unit works an annualised job plan whereby all direct clinical care (DCC) commitments in theatre, endoscopy and clinics are allocated on a rolling basis by mutual agreement. The job plan includes a fixed commitment to attend MDT meetings. All other commitments are worked flexibly to fulfil individual job plans. Access to theatres, clinics and endoscopy to allow fulfilment of agreed job plans is guaranteed.

This job plan is based on the plan for annualised Upper GI working, which is why there are no fixed clinical sessions. The UGI unit has clinical sessions available every weekday and these will be available on a rotating basis to the new appointee.

The post is advertised for a 10 PA contract as per the new consultant contract, but it is understood that individuals may wish to negotiate for additional sessions after appointment.

About us

UHP was designated as the Specialist Centre for Oesophago-Gastric (OG) cancer surgery within the Peninsula in 2009. Since January 2010 all surgical resections for OG cancer have been performed here, covering a population of 1.7 million. There are six surgeons based in Plymouth, 5 of whom are based in the Oesophago-gastric unit (Arun Ariyarathenam, Richard Berrisford, David Chan, Grant Sanders, and Tim Wheatley) and one with the Cardiothoracic directorate (Joe Rahamim).

Job description
Job responsibilities

The work of the department

The Oesophago-Gastric Service is managed within the Service Line, and the acute general surgical service is managed within the Surgical Cluster. The Service Line Director (Mr. Arun Ariyarathenam) represents the Service Line at the senior management level. There is a full-time Service Line Cluster Manager and a Support Manager. All consultants meet weekly internally and have a monthly business meeting with the care group, to which all members are invited.

Oesophago-Gastric Cancer Surgery

UHP was designated as the Specialist Centre for Oesophago-Gastric (OG) cancer surgery within the Peninsula in 2009. Since January 2010 all surgical resections for OG cancer have been performed here, covering a population of 1.7 million. There are six surgeons based in Plymouth, 5 of whom are based in the Oesophago-gastric unit (Arun Ariyarathenam, Richard Berrisford, David Chan, Grant Sanders, and Tim Wheatley) and one with the Cardiothoracic directorate (Joe Rahamim).

The Specialist MDT meetings are hosted by Plymouth and video-linked with the 4 other Trusts within the Peninsula. The post-holder will be expected to be part of the OG cancer resection team, and work within the existing unit. It is anticipated that any new colleague would be closely mentored for the first 12 months of appointment and would operate jointly with existing surgeons during this time period. The surgeons in Plymouth provide a 1:6 on-call rota to cover OG patients, and the post-holder would be expected to join this rota within the first 12 months of appointment.

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery has been performed in Plymouth since the 1990s, and University Hospitals NHS Plymouth (UHP) was re-commissioned to provide bariatric surgery in 2010 as one of 5 providers within the South West. UHP is currently performing laparoscopic gastric bypass, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, and revisional bariatric surgery and is commissioned to perform 100 procedures per year. There are currently 3 surgeons performing bariatric surgery (Arun Ariyarathenam, David Chan & Lee Humphreys) who work closely with a dedicated Weight Management Programme and assess all patients prior to referral for surgery as per NICE guidelines.

The post-holder will be expected to consolidate and develop bariatric surgery in Plymouth in conjunction with the existing team.

Benign Upper GI & General Surgery

UHP offers a full range of benign Upper GI surgery such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy (included bile duct exploration), anti-reflux procedures (including complex revisional work), hiatal hernia procedures, and surgery for achalasia. The post-holder will be expected to share this workload with existing Upper GI surgeons and any area of particular expertise or interest would be encouraged.

The unit also forms general surgery (groin and abdominal wall hernias) and the post holder will be expected to share in this workload.

Endoscopy

The Upper GI Surgeons undertake both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy (Dilatation & stenting) and provide the service through the endoscopy unit, including covering the 2 week wait pathway referrals. The post holder will require expertise to undertake this.

Emergency General Surgery

UHP has a busy Emergency General Surgery commitment, and this on-call work is shared between 6 Oesophago Gastric surgeons, 5 Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic surgeons and 10 colorectal surgeons. It is expected that the post-holder will take part in Emergency General Surgery on-call, and must be appropriately trained for this. Surgeons are expected to be free of elective commitments when they are on-call and post-take, and there is close collaboration between sub-specialities to ensure appropriate surgical expertise is available for all emergency patients.

Current OG Consultants

Mr A Ariyarathenam (Service Line Director & Educational Lead)

Mr R Berrisford

Mr D Chan

Mr L Humphreys (Bariatric Service Line Lead)

Mr G Sanders (Care Group Director)

Mr T Wheatley

Thoracic Surgery

Mr J Rahamim

The Job Itself

• TITLE: Locum Consultant Oesophago-gastric
• The employer is the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
• The post is based on a whole-time appointment.

Duties of the Post

The unit works an annualised job plan whereby all direct clinical care (DCC) commitments in theatre, endoscopy and clinics are allocated on a rolling basis by mutual agreement. The job plan includes a fixed commitment to attend MDT meetings. All other commitments are worked flexibly to fulfil individual job plans. Access to theatres, clinics and endoscopy to allow fulfilment of agreed job plans is guaranteed.

This job plan is based on the plan for annualised Upper GI working, which is why there are no fixed clinical sessions. The UGI unit has clinical sessions available every weekday and these will be available on a rotating basis to the new appointee.

The post is advertised for a 10 PA contract as per the new consultant contract, but it is understood that individuals may wish to negotiate for additional sessions after appointment.

Facilities and Support

Occupational Health

The Trust has an occupational health centre on site which provides a full range of services, including counselling, to Junior Doctors and all other staff on site. In addition to the services offered by the occupational health centre the Trust offers junior doctors access to the one to one support service provided by the Deanery. You must be Occupational Health cleared prior to commencement of employment.

NHS Hospital & Community Indemnity Scheme

The post holder will normally be covered by the NHS Hospital and Community Indemnity Scheme. In some circumstances (especially in services for which a separate fee is received) the indemnity may not apply. The Department of Health therefore advises that membership of your medical defence organisation is maintained.

Induction

The appointee will be given date/time and venue of their induction, along with a programme of events.

Security

All doctors will be provided with a photographic ID card which must be worn at all times, in addition the Trust has a security advisor and security centre on the grounds, the centre houses Trust Security staff and provides a base for local community police officers.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available as studio flats (opened August 2007). Each unit has fitted wardrobes, desk, settee, dining table and chairs. Phone, broadband access and digital TV channels are also included. There is a separate kitchen, fully fitted; including a washer/dryer, microwave incorporating an oven, kettle, toaster and a fridge freezer. The self-contained toilet and shower has a range of fitted cupboards, mirror lights and heated towel rail. The floors throughout are easy clean, wood laminate in the bedroom/lounge and vinyl in the kitchen and bathroom. There is a video entry phone system and each of the 3 blocks has a separate swipe card entry system, which also controls the car park barrier. Lockable cycle sheds are also provided. The external grounds and landscaped gardens are monitored by CCTV cameras linked to the hospital control room and the external lighting is linked to motion detectors. The fire alarm system is state of the art and incorporates the latest digital technology and is automatically linked to the Trust switchboard. There is a separate 8 person lift in block. A residences office is located on the ground floor of Block 3, this will be open from 8.30 am till 5.00 Monday to Friday. Out of hours there is an emergency call number. All public areas will be cleaned on a regular basis.

Access to Meals etc.

The Trust provides access to hot and cold meals in a restaurant and separate caf area, the restaurant provides hot and cold food till 2.30am.

Library Facilities

The Discovery Library opened at Derriford in 2007 and houses brand new facilities in a contemporary space.

Salary

Will be determined in accordance with the current Terms & Conditions of Service for Hospital Medical and Dental Staff and current Pay Circulars.

Annual Leave

You will be entitled to 32 working days per year and public bank holidays. When reaching the 7th threshold of the consultant salary scale, you will be entitled to 34 working days per year and public bank holidays. Your leave year commences from 1 April each year.

Arrangements will be agreed within the specialty so as to maintain adequate cover and you may be asked to assist other take firms at particularly busy periods. Leave must be taken within each speciality and cannot be carried over into your next rotational slot if you are on a rotation. Ensure that you are familiar with the Trusts Sickness & Absence Policy and the requirements on reporting and returning to work

Study Leave

Study leave is administered through the Post Graduate Medical Centre but is at the discretion of the Directorate Manager/Clinical Director.

Person Specification
panel assessment
Essential

• entry on professional register (or expected within 6 months)
• CCST in general surgery
• FRCS or equivalent
• one years experience in a specialist OG cancer unity at post CCT fellowship level

Desirable

• post graduate thesis
• advanced laparoscopic skills

panel interview
Essential

• expertise in bariatric surgery and at least 6 months experience in specialist bariatric unit

To apply, please click the apply button.

BMJRef: BMJ-82898/216-4315207