Here at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, we are proud to provide expert, compassionate care for our local population. We are ranked as the third in the country for research, embedding education and training across the organisation. Our main hub is the Queen Alexandra Hospital, which is one of the largest hospitals on the south coast employing over 8,700 staff.

Our patients come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our hospital stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for getting it right for patients, colleagues, and our community, you will find a home at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust.

We are looking for 2 Consultants in Intensive Care Medicine to join our team on the adult Critical Care unit at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust (PHU) is a provider of Acute Health Services under contract to a range of Purchasers around the Hampshire basin and Western South Downs.  The catchment is in excess of 650,000 people.  It has a vision to be recognised as a world-class hospital, leading the field through innovative healthcare solutions, focusing on the best outcomes for our patients, delivered in a safe, caring and inspiring environment.

At present PHU provides the following services: Emergency Medicine, Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Oncology, Radiology, Orthodontic and Oral Surgery, General and Specialist Medicine, General Surgery, Breast Screening and Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Renal Services (including renal transplantation), Acute Medical Admissions, Ophthalmology, Maxillofacial, ENT, Critical Care, Coronary Care, Elderly Medicine, Rheumatology, Elderly Medicine, Rehabilitation, Dermatology and Neurology. 

A significant investment in infrastructure has been made over the past few years, and a purpose built, state of the art Emergency and Urgent Care block is due to open Autumn 2024. 

PHU has recently entered an acute services partnership with the Isle of Wight NHS Trust, with the two sites working collaboratively to improve acute services for both populations.    

The Department of Critical Care

Our Critical Care unit admits around 1500 patients/year into 19 funded Level 3 equivalent beds, using a maximum of 24 physical bed spaces.  The unit was purpose built with patients and clinicians in mind and meets current critical care building specifications. Floor to ceiling windows provide an enviable view across the Solent. 

The department admits adult patients requiring critical care from a wide variety of clinical specialties.  Although admissions are predominately adult, the unit has the facilities to admit paediatric patients for limited critical care support.  The unit provides paediatric stabilisation and if needed transfer to the regional Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.    

Our department was one of the first to be awarded an “outstanding” rating in all domains following a CQC visit in 2018. This was retained at the most recent inspection. We continue to be ambitious and are always looking for opportunities to improve our standards, safety, and training, to provide the very best care and experience for our patients, relatives, and staff.

We are a department that embraces innovation and have a national reputation for use of digital technology in healthcare. We have been a ‘paperless’ unit for over 10 years and have just launched our 3rd generation Clinical Information System and are supported by an in-house IT team.

The department is well resourced with a wide range of ventilatory options and current model CRRT machines.  A large fleet of ultrasound and ECHO machines support clinical practices as well as education and training, both at the bedside and through formal courses. 

Multi disciplinary working

We are supported by a dedicated critical care pharmacy team who also attend ward rounds, a core team of physiotherapists who receive support from a critical care occupational therapist and a dietician is also embedded in the unit.  Our staff, patients and relatives are supported by our own clinical psychologist.

We have a well-established team of Advanced Critical Care practitioners ranging from those that have been qualified for over 8 years through to those in training on a structured and supported training pathway. 

There is a strong team ethos within the department with a focus on staff well-being. A recently refurbished staff coffee area and relaxation/wellness room are both within the department footprint. There is a Wellness Centre on the PHU site with a swimming pool and gym.

Education & Research                 

The department has an active, well respected teaching program with trainees having protected time for teaching. The post holder would be expected to participate in education, training and supervision of trainees and other members of the MDT.

We are extremely active and effective in research. We are amongst the top recruiting ICUs across the UK with patients recruited to high complexity studies across a range of conditions.  Research is fully embedded in daily activity with a dedicated research team and involvement of the consultant body and AHPs as Co-investigators.  The unit is actively sought to take part in novel studies because of our cohesive approach and record of successful recruitment to trials.

In 2013 the department formed a new collaborative partnership with the University of Portsmouth and became an academic department. These close links with the University were then consolidated with the Trust being awarded University status in 2020.

We also support undergraduate teaching and are looking forward to the development of a new medical school with the first intake of students expected in 2024.

The role: overview

The successful applicant will join a team of 16 ICM consultants (14.5 WTEs).

The job will be for 10 PAs per week to include clinical commitment to critical care (6-8 PAs), and the option for a second discipline (2PAs) such as in anaesthetics, emergency medicine or acute/specialist medicine.  It will also include 2 SPA. All job plans are annualised.  The post will attract a 3% on-call supplement. Single ICM CCT applications are encouraged and would be based on up to 8 PAs critical care (and 2 SPAs). Less than full time consultant careers are also supported in a department that recognises the importance of variable job planning to ensure the right work-life balance and an enjoyable and sustainable career.

A sample job plan can be found here: Sample consultant job plan

Where possible, consultants are supported to pursue their own speciality interests both within and outside the PHU critical care unit, for example as part of an ECMO retrieval team, as part of the regional transfer team, supporting education and training and representation on specialty steering groups and bodies, for example FICM and the ICS. 

Key Responsibilities:

In conjunction with the other critical care consultants, the appointee will be responsible for directing the care of Level 2 and 3 patients referred to and treated by the department of Critical Care.  Although clinical responsibility is generally shared with the admitting clinician(s) we work to the model of a “closed unit”. Day to day decisions about the admission and discharge of critically ill patients is the responsibility of the duty critical care consultant in conjunction with the admitting service.

In addition to providing clinical care for our patients the appointee will, in association with the other critical care consultants, be responsible for the training and supervision of trainees who are appointed from other departments including medicine, surgery, anaesthesia or the emergency department. A high level of consultant input to the supervision of trainees is expected.

The successful applicant will take a full part in the weekly and out of hours cover of the intensive care unit, in a group that currently numbers 15.5 whole time equivalent consultants. There will be no on-call commitment to any discipline other than Critical Care. 

Status of Post

This is a full time post but flexible working may be considered.

The posts are to fill vacancies due to changes in job plans and retirements.  The appointee will be required to take up the post no later than four months from the date of the offer of an appointment, unless a special agreement has been made between the appointee and Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust

If you consider it unlikely that you will be able to take up the appointment within such a period, you are advised to point this out at the time of your application. 

Residence

Residence within either 10 miles or 30 minutes by road from Queen Alexandra Hospital is usually required unless alternative arrangements agreed with the Trust management. His/her private residence must be maintained in contact with the public telephone service.

Closing date: 11th September 2024

Interview date: 2nd October 2024 

For further details, please refer to the job documents and candidate brief below:

Consultant Job Description

Consultant Job Plan

Additional Department Information

Candidate Brief

Qualifications

Essential

• Full GMC registration with a licence to practice
• CCT in Intensive Care Medicine (or within 6 months at the date of interview) or eligible for GMC Specialist Register, (and CCT if any planned partner specialty)
• FFICM or equivalent ICM examination
• CCT or equivalent (with associated professional examination requirements) are needed for additional practice in a second speciality

Desirable

• Specific training in paediatric critical care
• Management course or experience
• Additional training in related areas (e.g. medical education, ethics, toxicology etc)

Clinical Experience

Essential

• Entry on the GMC specialist register via CCT (proposed date must be within 6 months), CESR or European Community Rights
• Demonstrable, significant and on-going experience in adult critical care medicine
• Demonstrable, significant and on-going experience in any base discipline (only applies if completed dual or joint ICM training)
• Experience in providing paediatric stabilisation and critical care.

Desirable

• Experience in general medicine
• Training and experience in teaching of the medical, nursing and allied health professional team
• ATLS or APLS provider or equivalence

Clinical Skills

Essential

• Professional skills of high standard in adult critical care medicine and the base discipline if applicable
• Professional skills in paediatric stabilisation and critical care
• Demonstrable training, experience and ability in teaching, both formally and informally
• Understanding of clinical risk management
• Understanding and commitment to quality improvement and patient safety
• Evidence of participation in clinical audit and evidence of continuing audit activity
• Commitment to research

Desirable

• Qualification in ECHO and/or point of care ultrasound

Knowledge

Essential

• Able to demonstrate appropriate level of clinical knowledge
• Knowledge and use of evidence based practice

Desirable

• IT skills
• Effective, confident presentation ability
• Experience in and outside speciality

Other

Essential

• Leadership and basic management skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Willingness to support research within the Department
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Logical thinking, problem solving and decision making
• Decisiveness/accountability
• Flexibility
• Thoroughness
• Initiative/ drive/ enthusiasm
• Evidence of understanding of constraints on resources

Desirable

• Publications
• Prizes and honours

Intending applicants may obtain further information and/or arrange a visit by contacting the Clinical Director Dr Sara Blakeley, on 02392 286000 ext 5756 or e mail [email protected].

Please note that Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust will reimburse expenses for one pre interview visit in respect of short listed candidates.

Due to the high volume of recruitment and our desire to treat all applicants fairly it is not possible to meet with the Chief Executive, Ms Penny Emerit, prior to the Appointments Advisory Committee. However, arrangements to meet with Dr John Knighton, Medical Director, can be made by contacting Emily Wainwright on 02392 286342. Both Ms Emerit and Dr Knighton are extremely committed and supportive of this appointment and to appointing the right candidate and, as part of the induction programme the successful applicant will have an opportunity to meet with them.

For further information, please visit our website at www.portsmouthicu.com

Details about Portsmouth NHS Trust can be found at www.porthosp.nhs.uk

We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of your education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs.