Consultant Psychiatrist – Older Adults Inpatients (Dunes Ward)

Job summary

As a Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist working for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust you will be responsible for ensuring that our service users’ needs are met through the delivery of high quality care.

As a leader of the inpatient multi-disciplinary team at Dunes ward, Hartley Hospital, you will work in a state of the art mental health facility, providing clinical care to older adults who require specialist inpatient care. You will work closely with a wide range of clinical and professional disciplines in order to deliver holistic care by completing assessments of new admissions to Dunes ward and managing their treatment and ensuring safe discharges back to the community.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be responsible for completing assessments and formulating treatment plans for service users admitted to Dunes ward from the community. Dunes ward is a 20 bedded primarily functional older adult complex care ward at the Hartley Hospital. As a substantive Old Age Psychiatry Consultant on Dunes ward you will work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team. You will be the Responsible Clinician for patients admitted to Dunes ward and this will invariably mean managing patients who have been detained under the Mental Health Act and therefore the post holder will require a sound knowledge of Mental Health Act law. This will include completing relevant mental health act documentation and completing capacity assessments as required.

The post holder will be expected to lead the multidisciplinary team at Dunes ward in an enthusiastic, supportive and approachable manner in order to foster positive working relationships and morale of ward staff. The post holder will complete ward rounds throughout the week and provide clear communication and documentation in relation to assessment outcomes and management plans. They will also be expected to provide leadership and training to trainee doctors and medical students placed on Dunes ward. They will take an active part in the clinical work of the team and a lead role in the development of the service.

Person Specification

Registration

Essential

• Full registration with General Medical Council
• Inclusion on or eligible for inclusion on the Specialist Register of the General Medical Council or within 6 months of CCST/CCT or equivalent in Old age Psychiatry at date of interview
• Section 12 (2) Approval + Approved Clinician Status or demonstrated ability to gain approval

Desirable

• In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice

Transport

Essential

• Holds valid UK driving licence and will use own car for work related travel OR provides evidence of proposed alternative

Qualification and Training

Essential

• MbChb, MBBS or equivalent
• Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists or equivalent, 3 years higher professional training in Old age psychiatry

Desirable

• Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management
• Additional Qualifications
• Undertaken ‘Train the Trainer’ and ‘Equality and Diversity’ Training

Clinical Skills,Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Excellent clinical knowledge in specialty
• Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty
• Makes decision based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others
• Able to meet duties under MHA and MCA

Desirable

• Experience in working previously in similar roles at a relevant level
• Training or worked as a DoLs assessor
• Experience in management and service development
• Knowledge and use of IT systems

Academic Skills & Lifgelong Learning

Essential

• Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training

Desirable

• Able to plan and deliver teaching and training relevant to the post

Closing Date: 21 July 2026