Job summary
- Main area
- Ophthalmology
- Grade
- NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 10 sessions per week
- Job ref
- 387-S6351MP
- Employer
- Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Bristol Eye Hospital
- Town
- Bristol
- Salary
- £113,565 - £150,569 pa pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 12/08/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Consultant Emergency Ophthalmology and Cataract
NHS Medical & Dental: Consultant
As part of the transition to a Group Clinical Services structure within Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, there is an increased expectation of cross-site working.
Although roles will have a designated base, post holders are likely to be required to work across multiple Trust sites in line with service needs. Where this is not included in the initial job plan, any future requirement arising from the departmental restructures will be addressed through the job planning process. Travel time will be taken into consideration in line with contractual expectations.
North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.
We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.
Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.
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Job overview
BRISTOL EYE HOSPITAL
Emergency Ophthalmology and Cataract Consultant
Love Life, Love Bristol Eye Hospital.
At Bristol NHS Foundation Trust we are passionate about delivering outstanding care and developing innovative services for the communities we serve. Bristol Eye Hospital (BEH) is looking to grow its talented team of consultants to help drive an ambitious future vision for ophthalmology services across Bristol and Weston. See Yourself at Bristol Eye Hospital (subtitles) on Vimeo
Applications are warmly welcomed for this full-time (10 PA) post of Consultant in Emergency Ophthalmology and Cataract. The post-holder will provide leadership for a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, nurses and optometrists running our busy eye casualty department. This individual will contribute to the planned future development of emergency eye care for our region.
Main duties of the job
Bristol Eye Hospital is a large tertiary referral centre for ophthalmology, providing eye care for the Bristol region and specialist services for patients from throughout the South West of England. The Eye Hospital has 35 Consultants covering all ophthalmic subspecialties. It is part of the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, so undergraduate, postgraduate and multidisciplinary training will form part of the consultant’s role and research interests are encouraged. The timetable will involve 5 sessions per week of eye casualty, plus cataract theatre and clinic, and SPA time.
The successful candidate will be on the GMC specialist register or within 6 months of CCT at date of interview.
Working for our organisation
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.
With an annual turnover of 2.6 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom.
Chaired by Ingrid Barker and led by Maria Kane as Chief Executive, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust aims to transform the way healthcare is delivered locally with a clear focus on making a difference for what we call our Four Ps:
- Better outcomes for our Patients
- More opportunities for our People
- Fairer more consistent care for our Population
- Best Value for Public Purse
Our vision for five years from now:
- Patients will wait less time to be diagnosed and treated, and they will have the same high-quality experience and outcomes, regardless of who they are or where they live.
- We will meet rising demand by maximising the use of our available resources.
- More care will be delivered nearer to patients, in their homes or the community.
- Digital technologies will have transformed the way we work and the way we deliver care.
- Our people will feel engaged, energised and empowered by their work.
- We will be known as a place where people enjoy working, training and building a career.
- Our volume of globally renowned research and innovation will have grown significantly.
- We will contribute to system financial balance
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Join us and enjoy all that the South West region has to offer. Bristol is an amazingly diverse city, with its community feel, quality housing and outstanding schools, plus many music venues, galleries and festivals that drive its creative reputation. Alternatively, if you’re looking for country living, we are only a few miles away from many picturesque villages and small towns in Gloucestershire and Somerset, which are all within commuter distance.
Interview date: 06.10.26
Person specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
- Full and specialist registration General Medical Council (GMC) Or
- Within 6 months of obtaining expected CCT date at time of interview
Desirable criteria
- Higher academic qualification e.g. MD, PhD or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
- Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in Ophthalmology
- Able to take responsibility for delivering service without direct supervision
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of a special interest and expertise that complements those of other consultants in the department and is consistent with the Trust’s service strategy
Clinical Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
- Up to date knowledge and experience of relevant specialty
- Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
Desirable criteria
- Broad range of IT skills
Clinical Governance and Audit
Essential criteria
- Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
- Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation
- Positive approach to evidence-based practice
- Evidence of recent and regular engagement with continuing professional development (CPD) scheme
Research
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of the principles involved in research
- Evidence of involvement in research
Desirable criteria
- Additional academic experience and qualifications e.g. PhD
- Evidence of publication of peer reviewed academic papers
Teaching and Training
Essential criteria
- Experience of teaching medical students and AHP’s
- Experience of supervising trainees.
- Knowledge of teaching to a multidisciplinary team
Desirable criteria
- Formal teaching/ education qualification.
- Educational Supervisor training completed
Management & Leadership
Essential criteria
- Evidence of management training and evidence of learning from it
- Ability to organise efficient and smooth running of a specialist service
- Ability to cope with and effectively organise the workload of a consultant
- Ability to practice independently as a consultant
- Ability to take on responsibility and show evidence of leadership
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with setbacks
Desirable criteria
- Evidence of management/leadership experience and/or qualifications and courses
Interpersonal, communication and team working skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to communicate effectively with patients, relatives, clinical colleagues, support staff and other colleagues.
- Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English.
- Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods, and to respond to questions and queries
- Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-professional basis with all levels of staff both within and across divisions
- Ability to be a flexible team member
Any other Personal Abilities and Aptitudes
Essential criteria
- Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
- Awareness of personal limitations
Desirable criteria
- Additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels
- Trained as a Consultant Appraiser
Other
Essential criteria
- Meets professional health requirements
- Agreement to travel to and work in other Bristol NHS Foundation Trust sites necessitated by the role
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Ahmad Ahmad
- Job title
- Consultant Ophthalmologist
- Email address
- [email protected]
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