Locum Consultant in Emergency General Surgery

Job Overview

We are delighted to offer these exciting Consultant opportunities within our dynamic General Surgery team, with a subspecialist focus on Emergency General Surgery. You will play a central role in strengthening our emergency biliary service, caring for patients presenting with acute cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, and other acute biliary conditions. Working closely with our experienced Upper GI consultants, you will help deliver high‑quality emergency surgical care, including in‑patient emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

This is a superb opportunity to make a real impact on patient outcomes, help shape a developing service, and join a supportive, forward‑thinking surgical department committed to innovation and excellent clinical care.

The Job Plan Includes Flexible Sessions, Offering

• Prospective cover for the Acute Surgical Unit when colleagues are on leave
• The opportunity to undertake elective activity tailored to your clinical interests
  
  

Elective Sessions May Include

• Endoscopy
• Out‑patient clinics
• Elective operating lists
  
  

We are committed to supporting consultants in developing their specialist interests within a well‑resourced and collaborative environment

Main duties of the job

This Consultant post offers a balanced mix of emergency, elective, and professional development activity. The timetable below outlines a typical working week and reflects the focus on Emergency General Surgery, acute biliary work, and collaborative consultant-led care.

Monday

• AM: SAU / Theatres
• PM: Acute Surgical Consultant Cover This session supports the smooth running of our Acute Surgical Unit, ensuring timely senior decision‑making and continuity for emergency patients. Total: 2.5 PAs
  
  

Tuesday

• AM: SAU
• PM: Emergency Theatre Support, ESAC Clinic and Theatres You will contribute to urgent surgical pathways, including support for emergency biliary cases and same‑day emergency clinics. Total: 2.25 PAs (1.25 DCC + 1.00 DCC)
  
  

Wednesday

• AM: SPA
• PM: Outpatient Clinic SPA time supports your ongoing professional development, audit, QI and appraisal, with an afternoon clinic aligned to your subspecialist interest in Emergency General Surgery or Upper GI. Total: 2.75 PAs (1.5 SPA + 1.25 DCC)
  
  

Thursday

• AM: Flexible Session (RUH)
• PM: Flexible Session These flexible sessions allow you to develop specialist interests, undertake elective work, or provide prospective cover for consultant colleagues. Total: 2.5 PAs (1.25 + 1.25)
  
  

Friday

• AM/PM: Day Off Supporting a sustainable job plan and good work–life balance.
  
  

Working for our organisation

At the RUH we put people at the heart of what we do, working together as one team to make a difference for our patients, each other, and our community. No matter what your role is, we value everyone’s contribution in supporting the exceptional, person-centred care we pride ourselves on.

We are proud to be in the top 20 best hospitals to work for in the country.

We are committed to creating a compassionate and inclusive environment. This can be seen in our growing community of staff networks – celebrating successes and creating opportunities to listen and learn. We value our differences, champion kindness and civility, and truly believe that diversity makes us stronger.

A culture of learning, developing and innovating is the thread that runs throughout our whole organisation. We want to support you to thrive, taking your career to its full potential.

We value staff wellbeing, with a well-established programme of support. We believe in a holistic approach spanning all aspects of living a healthy life, including physical, emotional, spiritual and financial wellbeing. We’ve even got a pool!

We are committed to supporting you and hope you want to join our team. In the meantime, find out more about living and working the beautiful historic city of Bath, learn about our extensive package of staff benefits, and read about how we’re providing healthcare fit for the future with the landmark Dyson Cancer Centre and our passion for research.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Flexible sessions within the job plan allow prospective cover for the Acute Surgical Unit, as well as opportunities to undertake elective activity aligned to your interests. This may include endoscopy, out‑patient clinics, and elective operating lists.

You will participate in the 1:12 on‑call rota, based at the Royal United Hospitals Bath.

The post is based at the RUH, and you will be expected to:

• Take part in audit, quality improvement and directorate meetings
• Undertake required administrative duties
• Maintain professional development through meetings, courses and annual appraisal
• Participate in teaching and research, including opportunities through our Bristol Medical School academy and national portfolio studies supported by dedicated research nurses
  
  

You will also be expected to provide prospective cover for consultant colleagues during periods of leave (minimum six weeks’ notice required).

The Post Holder Will Work Collaboratively With Managers And Consultant Colleagues To Support The Efficient Running And Ongoing Development Of The Service. This Includes Contributing To

• Resource planning and business case development

Service improvement initiatives

Administrative responsibilities related to patient care and clinical areas

Person specification

MB BS or equivalent

Essential criteria

• MB BS or equivalent
• Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CST in relevant speciality.1
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Post-CCT fellowship in a specialised subject
  
  

Ability to offer expert clinical opinion

Essential criteria

• Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on range of problems within the speciality of general surgery.
  
  

Desirable criteria

• Experience of audit management
  
  

Please note - Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered unless an alternative right to work solution can be provided. Candidates requiring sponsorship (or will need sponsorship at the end of a current visa e.g. those with graduate visa's) should review the eligibility criteria on the gov.uk website before applying: Prove your right to work to an employer: Overview - GOV.UK

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if we receive a high number of applications. We strongly encourage you to complete and submit your application in good time to ensure it can be considered.

Documents to download

• Consultant in General & Emergency Surgery (PDF, 392.4KB)
• Join the RUH (PDF, 1.1MB)
  
  

Further details / informal visits contact

Name Edward Courtney Job title Clinical Lead, General Surgery Email address edward.courtney@nhs.net Telephone number 01225-825855 Additional information

Clinical Lead, Medical secretary