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An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Consultant in Acute Medicine to join a well-established and supportive Acute Medicine team in Greater London.

The Acute Medicine service operates within the Emergency Medicine Division and works closely with the Emergency Department to deliver rapid assessment and treatment of patients presenting with acute medical conditions. The service is recognised for its collaborative multidisciplinary approach and commitment to continuous service development.

Consultants work within a team of experienced Acute Physicians supported by resident doctors, advanced nurse practitioners and allied health professionals. New consultants are supported through mentorship and team integration to ensure a smooth transition into the role.

The department places strong emphasis on innovation and service improvement, particularly through the development of Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) services, including ambulatory and emergency assessment pathways.

Main Duties of the Job

The successful candidate will contribute to delivering a high-quality Acute Medicine service and support the effective functioning of acute medical units.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide consultant-level clinical care for patients presenting with acute medical conditions.
• Assess and manage patients admitted via general practitioner referrals or the emergency department.
• Conduct post-take ward rounds and clinical reviews of newly admitted patients.
• Participate in the management and clinical oversight of Acute Assessment and Emergency Assessment Units.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including nursing staff, therapists, and allied health professionals, to facilitate safe and timely patient discharge.
• Liaise with consultants across specialities, including Emergency Medicine, Care of the Elderly, and other medical specialities, to ensure optimal patient care.
• Support and contribute to the development of Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) pathways
• Participate in departmental meetings, service development initiatives and clinical governance activities
• Provide teaching and supervision to junior doctors, medical students and other healthcare professionals.
• Participate in continuing professional development, appraisal and revalidation

The Acute Physician team manages the medical take during weekday hours (08:00–17:00) with support from advanced nurse practitioners and junior medical staff, typically reviewing 15–20 patients during the daytime post-take period.

On-Call Responsibilities

The post holder will participate in the consultant emergency general medical on-call rota, which includes:

• Providing consultant leadership for the acute medical team
• Supporting the management of acute medical admissions
• Providing senior clinical oversight for acute beds and ambulatory care services
• Collaborating with speciality teams for patients requiring specialist input

Out-of-hours care is delivered through a shared consultant rota across medical specialities.

Job Plan

The post is typically offered as 10 Programmed Activities (PAs).

A typical allocation includes:

Direct Clinical Care (DCC)

• Acute Medical Unit sessions
• Emergency Assessment Unit / Same Day Emergency Care sessions
• Post-take ward rounds
• Patient-related administrative work
• Participation in the consultant on-call rota

Supporting Professional Activities (SPA)

• Clinical governance and audit
• Teaching and supervision
• Continuing professional development
• Appraisal and revalidation

Job plans are flexible and may be adapted to accommodate individual clinical interests, service development roles or educational responsibilities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Medical Degree (MBBS or equivalent)
• Full GMC registration with a licence to practise
• MRCP (UK) or equivalent qualification
• Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) in Acute Medicine or General Internal Medicine, or expected within 6 months

Desirable

• Higher postgraduate degrees, such as an MD or a PhD

Experience

Essential

• Minimum 1 year NHS experience
• Experience managing acute medical admissions
• Experience providing consultant-level or senior decision-making in Acute Medicine

Desirable

• Experience in service development within acute care pathways
• Experience working within Same Day Emergency Care or ambulatory medicine services

Skills and Attributes

Essential

• Excellent clinical assessment and decision-making skills
• Strong communication and leadership abilities
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary clinical team
• Commitment to clinical governance, patient safety and quality improvement

Teaching and Research

Essential

• Experience teaching junior medical staff and medical students
• Participation in clinical audit and quality improvement

Desirable

• Evidence of research activity or publications
• Involvement in service innovation or pathway redesign