Consultant Physician in Stroke

The Trust is looking to recruit to a substantive Consultant Physician in Stroke medicine, with an interest in Geriatric and/or General Medicine, based at the University Hospital Lewisham (UHL) site. This post will ensure that patients continue to have a seven-day access to high quality stroke services locally and in a timely manner. This is a new post designed to provide additional support for the stroke services that provide acute stroke unit care across 52 beds and a daily Neurovascular (TIA) service. We are looking for an innovative, interested, and flexible colleague to enhance and contribute to continued stroke service development.

The post holder would be an addition to the three current Consultant Stroke Physicians, and they would be part of a multidisciplinary specialist stroke team. The stroke rehabilitation service has been consolidated onto one site (UHL) to improve high quality of care. There are good links with the local HASUs and have always performed well in national assessments.

The post-holder would be expected to participate in the Acute Frailty Unit rota and be part of the overnight GIM rota (currently 1:24). By mutual agreement, the post holder may be able to participate in HASU activities in one of the two HASU in the region. The post involves supervision and education of trainees within the hospital.

Main duties of the job

The stroke service at University Hospital Lewisham is now provided from two acute and rehabilitation (combined) specialist stroke units. There are daily acute stroke ward rounds and a daily (Monday-Friday) neurovascular (TIA) clinic. The one-stop TIA clinics enable most low-risk patients to be seen urgently. Patients receive a CT brain scan, carotid Doppler ultrasound, ECG and blood tests on first visit. The stroke unit has purpose built, in-house, state of the art facilities for physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy. It has a full complement of multidisciplinary stroke specialist expertise, including 3 stroke consultants, stroke specialist ward managers, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, a dedicated social worker and a dietician. The service provides post-acute and rehabilitation care to patients from the London Boroughs of Lewisham, Greenwich and Bexley. Hyperacute stroke care is provided by one of eight Hyper Acute Stroke Units (HASUs) in London, the nearest of which to UHL are at Kings College Hospital and the Princess Royal University Hospital, both part of Kings Healthcare Foundation Trust. The UHL Stroke Unit is fully accredited for the London Stroke Standards. There are close links with the neurology, cardiology and radiology departments. Vascular surgery for carotid endarterectomy is provided at either King's College Hospital or St Thomas' Hospital.

About us

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream

Job responsibilities

The post holder would be in addition to three incumbent Consultant Stroke Physicians and be part of a multidisciplinary specialist stroke team. The stroke rehabilitation service has been consolidated onto one site (UHL) to improve high quality of care. We have good links with the local HASUs and have always performed well in national assessments.

The post-holder would also have the opportunity of participating in the Acute Frailty unit on a rotational basis as well as be part of the overnight GIM rota (currently 1:24), as well as by mutual agreement be able to participate in HASU activities in one of the two HASU in the region. The post involves supervision and education of trainees within the hospital.

General Responsibilities

To provide high quality health care for older patients referred for diagnosis and treatment, including outpatients and inpatients.

To respond to inpatient and outpatient referrals from other specialties.

To participate in educational and audit meetings.

To meet CPD and revalidation requirements.

To provide cover for consultant colleagues during periods of leave.

To support the Hospitals Clinical Governance Strategy.

To contribute to all other aspects of the Directorate and Hospitals affairs, including relevant Consultant and Directorate meetings.

To provide a consultant-led service in the specialty.

To support and assist in the development of Stroke services both in neurovascular (TIA) service and acute stroke unit.

To contribute to research in Medicine for the Elderly in an area of special interest.

To contribute to meeting the NICE standards for TIA service.

To contribute to meeting the 4-hour waiting time target in the Emergency Department.

To contribute to other targets e.g., quality indicators for emergency department.

Person Specification Qualifications

• MB BS or equivalent
• MRCP or equivalent
• CCT in Stroke Medicine
• Broad based general training
• Full Registration with the GMC and hold a license to practice
• CCT in Geriatric Medicine & General (Internal) Medicine
• MD/PhD or other higher degree

Clinical Experience

• Broad based training and wide experience of Stroke and General Medicine
• Experience in acute stroke units and neurovascular service

Clinical Audit

• Understanding of the principles of clinical governance and clinical risk.
• Understanding and experience of audit.
• Previous broader experience of clinical governance, clinical risk management and associated areas.

Teaching Experience

• Wide experience of and strong commitment to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
• Evidence of educational leadership roles.

Management and Administrative Experience

• Understanding of the implications of the NHS Plan and other national guidance and policy relevant to the provision of Stroke medicine.
• Understanding of NHS organisation and management.
• Formal management course with previous management experience.

Other Attributes

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Organisational ability.
• Experience of and ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team.
• A sympathetic approach to patients and their relatives.
• Ability to establish good professional relationships with others.
• Flexibility to respond to the varying needs of a busy department.
• Commitment to Appraisal and revalidation.
• Evidence of ability to lead a Multidisciplinary team.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and 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.