Locum Consultant in Gastroenterology: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

This is a 6-month Locum post pending substantive recruitment based at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage and comprises 10 programmed activities (PAs) including an on-call commitment to the emergency endoscopy rota. The successful applicant will work closely with the existing 12 Gastroenterologists and 4 Hepatologists to provide a high standard Gastroenterology service to the Trust. This post is based at the Lister Hospital in Stevenage; however, clinics can be at any of three sites, Lister Hospital, the New QEII Hospital in Welwyn Garden City or Hertford County Hospital, Hertford.We enjoy a reputation for our commitment to the highest standards of care, but also for our friendly and supportive approach.We have a high quality endoscopic service. There is a 4 roomed state of the art endoscopy unit at the Lister Hospital site and a two roomed endoscopy unit within the New QEII Hospital at Welwyn Garden City. Both units are JAG accredited and are fully kitted with state-of-the-art equipment. The National Bowel Cancer Screening Programme was implemented in 2008. There is endoscopic sub-specialisation with ERCP, video capsule endoscopy and upper GI cancer services including provision of a regional GI Laser service based at the Lister Hospital. We have recently implemented an endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) service. We have a leading upper GI service and are one of the largest cytosponge services in the UK.

Main duties of the job

The Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department has a strong and expanding research portfolio, actively participating in multiple clinical and commercial studies, including IBD BioResource, IBD Response, Prospero and Best4. The department also leads its own commercially funded studies, such as COSIE, investigating the use of Cytosponge in the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic oesophagitis, and IBD Movement, an observational study examining activity levels and fatigue in patients with IBD in remission. Strong academic links exist with the University of Hertfordshire, where two consultants hold honorary positions. The department has also secured significant funding from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation for the multi-site VECTOR trial, exploring the role of vibrational exercise in Crohn’s disease. Research consultants regularly present at national and international meetings, supported by a dedicated Research Fellow. Registrars are actively encouraged to engage in research, with many serving as Associate Principal Investigators.

The department has recently achieved Level II Hepatology Training Accreditation, becoming only the third trust in the region to receive this status. The Hepatology team includes four consultants, specialist nurses, a dedicated registrar and a Fibroscan Technician, with established links to the Royal Free Liver Unit.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential

• MRCP or qualification of an equivalent level

Desirable

• Entry on GMC Specialist Register or, be within 6 months of receipt of Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) at time of interview or, provide GMC confirmed eligibility for entry on the Specialist Register
• Postgraduate degree (or equivalent)

Previous Experience

Essential

• Broad range of experience in Gastroenterology o Diagnostic and Therapeutic Gastroscopy o Diagnostic and Therapeutic Colonoscopy
• Experience of supervising undergraduates, doctors in training and other colleagues
• Ability to offer and be accountable for full and independent expert diagnostic opinion
• Can evidence leading on patient safety issues and achieving a change in practice

Desirable

• Demonstrable experience in a Locum Consultant role
• Published papers and original work in peer reviewed journals
• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic principles of audit, evidencebased practice and clinical quality improvement initiatives
• Demonstrable experience and participation in research

Skills

Essential

• Able to evidence engagement with clinical governance and the identification of errors and the learning from errors.
• Evidence engagement with appraisal and revalidation
• Able to show situational awareness and application of good decision making
• Ability to effectively teach clinical skills
• Ability to critically appraise published evidence

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrate understanding of basic principles of audit, evidence-based practice, and clinical quality improvement initiatives
• Comprehensive knowledge and insight regarding all the domains within the GMC standards of Good Medical Practice

Other requirements

Essential

• Demonstrates an interest and commitment to the specialty
• Experience and evidence of engagement around the equality, diversity, and inclusion agenda. Able to actively support the development of a culture that recognises and promotes equality, values diversity, and actively leads by example in deploying these qualities. Understands the impact on equality, diversity, and inclusion issues in all aspects of service delivery and planning
• Role model our Trust values every day
• Understands and can demonstrate the values of the NHS constitution
• Evidence of being up to date and fit to practice safely, and aware of own training needs

Closing Date: 11 October 2026