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An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Consultant Ophthalmologist to join a highly regarded Ophthalmology service in South East England. This substantive consultant position has been created to expand existing clinical services. It offers the opportunity to play a leading role in delivering high-quality general ophthalmology and cataract surgery services while contributing to teaching, research, service development, and clinical leadership. The department combines excellent patient care with strong academic links, active research programmes, and regional subspecialty expertise.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:
• Lead and deliver comprehensive General Ophthalmology services
• Perform independent cataract surgery and manage anterior segment patients
• Conduct consultant-led outpatient clinics and ophthalmic theatre lists
• Participate in the ophthalmology on-call rota and emergency eye care services
• Review inpatient referrals and provide specialist ophthalmology advice across the hospital
• Contribute to departmental management, governance, and service development initiatives
• Participate in audit, quality improvement, and research activities
• Support undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes
• Supervise and mentor junior medical staff and trainees
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality patient care.

About the Ophthalmology Department

Although relatively small in size, the department delivers a broad range of regional subspecialist ophthalmology services and has established expertise in:
• General Ophthalmology
• Cataract Surgery
• Glaucoma
• Medical Retina
• Vitreo-retinal Services
• Oculoplastic Surgery
• Strabismus Services
• Eye Casualty and Emergency Ophthalmology.
The service operates from a central hub alongside several satellite clinics across the region. It maintains a collaborative ophthalmology on-call arrangement with a neighbouring NHS organisation, ensuring comprehensive emergency eye care coverage.

Clinical Responsibilities

Key clinical responsibilities include:
• Providing a high-quality consultant-led ophthalmic service
• Managing general ophthalmology and anterior segment patients
• Performing cataract surgery independently
• Running outpatient clinics and eye casualty clinics
• Participating in theatre lists and surgical activity
• Managing ward referrals and inpatient consultations
• Ensuring compliance with clinical governance and patient safety standards
• Providing consultant cover during colleague absences and leave periods.

Teaching and Training Opportunities

Education is a major strength of the department. The successful candidate will:
• Deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
• Participate in clinical and educational supervision of trainees
• Support specialist ophthalmology training programmes
• Contribute to examinations, accreditation, and trainee development
• Work alongside experienced educators and ophthalmology training leaders.

Research and Academic Opportunities

The department has a strong academic culture, with active research programmes and close collaborations with the university. Current areas of research activity include:
• Medical Retina
• Glaucoma
• Uveitis
• Clinical ophthalmology trials
• Audit and quality improvement projects
• Translational and collaborative research initiatives.
The organisation hosts a major regional clinical research infrastructure and offers opportunities for involvement in cutting-edge research, innovation, and academic collaboration. Consultants are encouraged to contribute to research portfolios and develop academic interests alongside clinical practice.

Department Resources and Support

The Ophthalmology Department benefits from:
• An experienced consultant team covering multiple subspecialties
• Associate Specialists and Speciality Doctors
• Ophthalmology trainees
• Dedicated ophthalmic nursing teams
• Orthoptists and ophthalmic technicians
• Modern diagnostic imaging and surgical facilities
• Comprehensive administrative and secretarial support
• Formal mentoring arrangements for newly appointed consultants.

Clinical Governance and Quality Improvement

The successful candidate will be expected to:
• Participate in clinical audit programmes
• Lead and support service improvement initiatives
• Contribute to departmental governance activities
• Maintain high standards of patient safety and quality assurance
• Support innovation and modernisation within ophthalmology services
• Engage in appraisal, revalidation, and continuing professional development activities.

Person Specification

Requirements

Essential

• Full GMC Registration with Licence to Practise
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register for Ophthalmology via CCT or Portfolio Pathway
• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• FRCOphth or equivalent recognised qualification
• Demonstrated ability to lead independent ophthalmology theatre lists
• Clinical fellowship experience
• Experience teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• Evidence of clinical leadership experience
• Understanding of Clinical Governance principles
• Evidence of audit participation and service improvement activity
• Commitment to continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Additional postgraduate qualifications
• Experience in service modernisation and transformation
• Understanding of business planning and commissioning
• Experience with quality improvement methodologies and research
• Participation in committees, conferences, workshops, or organisational leadership activities.
Apply now