All patients requiring Intensive or High Dependency Care in Portsmouth are cared for in the Department of Critical Care at Queen Alexandra Hospital (QAH), admitting a mixed medical and surgical population.

The Department is housed in a modern, purpose built, 24-bedded complex. We are a medical and surgical ICU. Currently, we are funded for 19 level 3 ICU bed equivalents with approximately 1500 admissions per year, from infants to the elderly.  All beds are used flexibly for both level 3 and level 2 patients, and there is capacity for future expansion.  Over 60% of admissions require intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV).  A high proportion of patients receive invasive haemodynamic monitoring during the course of intensive care and approximately 20% also require renal replacement therapy.  The Department operates a mobile Intensive Care service for patients who require transfer to/from other Intensive Care units and also provides a paediatric intensive care stabilisation service for children presenting to the hospital.  We changed to our third Clinical Information System (electronic patient record) in 2024 after 10 years of the first system and a further 12 years with the second.

Our department was awarded an ‘outstanding’ rating by the CQC in June 2016 and 2022. References were made to our use of digital media, use of technology, education and supportive training environment.

The Department considers Intensive Care Medicine to be an identifiable branch of acute medicine.  The unit is staffed on a 24-hour basis by doctors in training with close supervision and support from the ICU Consultant.  Clinical control of the Intensive Care Unit lies with the Intensive Care Consultants, all of whom have specific training in Intensive Care.  The Department has training links with Intensive Therapy Centres in Australia and Canada with individuals who have conducted training periods in both countries. 

Regular training rounds and clinical meetings occur within the Department; the ICU houses excellent educational facilities (a tutorial room and library). A considerable number of audit and research projects are currently underway, and publications and presentations are made on a National and International basis.

Staff gain considerable experience of the Intensive Care management of critically ill, and severely injured adults and children and participate in the following specific aspects of management:

• Bedside transthoracic echo and Invasive cardiovascular monitoring using LidCCO. We have four FICE accredited echo trainers
• Respiratory support including the use of IPPV, HFOV, continuous positive airway pressure and non-invasive ventilation and involvement in the REST trial (ECCO2R).
• The use of fibreoptic bronchoscope for diagnosis and treatment
• Renal replacement therapy including mainly pumped continuous veno-venous haemofiltration/ haemodiafiltration.
• Plasmapheresis. The unit undertakes this technique in adults.
• Pain relief techniques including thoracic and lumbar extradural anaesthesia/analgesia
• The use of cardiac assist devices.
• Transporting the critically ill. As a result of its size, location and distribution of facilities, the Portsmouth Intensive Care Unit has established a dedicated system for the inter-hospital transfer of critically ill patients which includes invasive monitoring and ventilation. Doctors in training gain considerable experience of primarily road transfers.
• Trauma care. The Intensive Care Unit staff in Portsmouth are intimately involved with the care afforded to patients suffering acute trauma. The Intensive Care ‘Registrar’ is part of the initial hospital trauma team at Queen Alexandra Hospital.  Centralisation of trauma services has led to most severe trauma cases being taken to Major Trauma Centres, the local one being based at Southampton.
• Due to the positioning of the Wessex Renal Medicine and Transplant Unit in Portsmouth, considerable experience of the difficult management of combined respiratory and renal failure is gained, together with involvement in the Intensive Care Unit management of patients who are severely immunocompromised.

Key Responsibilities:

The post holders will contribute to the delivery of a high-quality service, helping to drive a multi-disciplinary team approach to care within the specialty. 

The Fellows/Registrars in conjunction with the consultant are responsible for the daily management of patients in the DCC and overseeing the “SHO”s.  Previous advanced airway management is a pre-requisite of the post. Ward referrals and advice are common; no patient should be admitted or refused critical care without prior consultant discussion. The middle grades carry the trauma and paediatric bleep.

Clinical responsibility for supervision of trainees lies with the Intensive Care Consultants. Managerial responsibility is held by the Clinical Director.  Other duties include participation as a member of the Queen Alexandra Hospital resuscitation/cardiac arrest team and in the Intensive Care Unit based patient transfer retrieval system.

Typical programme:

These Trust doctor posts are for UK based trainees and represent 6, 12 or 24 month development positions with graduated responsibility dependent based on the assessment of training needs, satisfactory progress and agreement of all the stakeholders.  There will be chances to consolidate and develop new skills in managing patients with critical illness. In addition we will provide a supportive training environment and numerous additional educational opportunities. 

Based upon the length of attachment (primarily for 12/24 month posts (some flexibility) and individual progress, there are opportunities for programmed Speciality clinical/non-clinical interests to form part of the post that could include e.g.  ECHO/POCUS, Simulation, Management, Quality Improvement, Advanced airway management, Cardiopulmonary Exercise testing, Research, IT innovation and others.  These will be based upon training needs and be subject to the post holder achieving/completing appropriate training competencies.

Support during your placement:

Although this post is not approved for postgraduate training the duties are the same as the existing specialty training posts.  The successful candidate will be assigned a consultant clinical supervisor and will need to maintain an educational portfolio with appropriate assessments to their level of experience.  There are regular departmental lunchtime teaching and governance sessions which are open to all medical staff to attend.  There are also a wide range of opportunities to participate in clinical audit and improvement projects. As a department that has supported previous doctors to gain Portfolio Pathway (previously known as CESR) in Intensive Care Medicine, we encourage suitable candidates to apply for this support after a period of assessment.

We also offer advice and information on accommodation.

Qualifications

• Full GMC registration with a licence to practice
• Primary medical qualification recognised by the GMC (MBBS or equivalent)
• Equivalent qualifications to FRCA/MRCP/MCEM
• Equivalent qualifications that demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English language (eg PLAB)

Clinical Experience

• Evidence of completion of Core Training or equivalent 2 year training programme
• Experience as a Specialty Trainee 3+ or equivalent
• Post-graduate experience in other specialities (e.g. up to 1 years’ experience in one or
• more of the following: medicine, surgery, paediatrics, A&E) – {Desirable}
• Previous Experience of working in the NHS will be prioritised.

Clinical Skills

• Advanced Life Support Certificate from the Resuscitation Council UK or equivalent by the intended start date.
• Demonstrable skills and experience of airway management and invasive line placement
• Able to take initial responsibility for acute emergencies
• Able to conduct intra-hospital transfers (desirable)

Demonstrate evidence of being able to

• manage/prioritise time
• manage information effectively
• prioritise clinical need
• organise ward rounds
• Ability to maximise safety and minimise risk
• Monitor developing situations and anticipate issues
• Understanding of clinical risk management

Knowledge

• Able to demonstrate appropriate level of clinical knowledge
• Knowledge and use of evidence-based practice and audit/quality improvement
• IT skills
• Effective, confident presentation ability
• Experience in and outside speciality

Other

• Evidence of involvement in an audit project, a quality improvement project, formal research project or other activity
• Evidence of teaching experience
• Leadership skills – ability to take responsibility, make decisions and exert appropriate authority
• Able to establish good working relationships with other members of the multidisciplinary team
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Publications
• Prizes and honours
• Logical thinking, problem solving and decision making
• Support the trust values:

Working Together For Patients with Compassion as One Team Always Improving

Job holders are required to act in such a way that at all times the health and well being of children and vulnerable adults is safeguarded. Familiarisation with and adherence to the Safeguarding Policies of the Trust is an essential requirement for all employees. In addition, all staff are expected to complete essential/mandatory training in this area.

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. 

For more information, please see our People and OD Strategy 2026