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Job summary

Main area
Ophthalmology
Grade
NHS Medical & Dental: Locum Consultant
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (1 Year - Maternity Leave)
Hours
Full time - 10 sessions per week
Job ref
387-S4612-AFR
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
29/11/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust logo

Locum Consultant in Medical Retina

NHS Medical & Dental: Locum 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.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.


 

Job overview

Love Life, Love Bristol Eye Hospital.

The Bristol Eye Hospital (BEH) at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust (BFT) is looking to grow its talented team of consultants to drive an ambitious future vision of care across Bristol and Weston.

Applications are warmly welcomed for this full-time post of Locum Consultant in Medical Retina ideally commencing within 3 months to cover maternity leave for a period of 10 - 13 months, dependent upon start date. The post itself is designed to provide sub-specialist medical retina services at (BEH) and Weston General Hospital (WGH). Innovation is at our core at BEH. Most recently we were commended for our use of the NHS Nightingale Hospital Bristol, created to treat Covid-patients, as a high-volume eye diagnostic assessment hub for medical retina patients during the pandemic.

The BEH is a highly regarded Regional Centre for Ophthalmology which sits within the Division of Surgery at UHBW. BEH provides a tertiary referral retina service with an integrated medical retina and uveitis for adults and children, and a vitreo-retinal service closely linked to an excellent Clinical Research Unit (Recognising Success Awards 2019). The new Retinal Unit Outpatients Department is supported by an excellent medical imaging department and ocular inflammation nurses. Flexible working opportunities (working from home) and involvements in clinical research trial are available.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will be expected to play an active role in the running of the service. They will also be expected to participate in the workload of the hospital and to be capable of running clinics independently and to work to a flexible timetable that may include provision of services across both sites (BEH & WGH).

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 £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.  

 Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For more information please download the Job Description document. You can also arrange an informal visit via department secretaries:

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria
  • Full and specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC)
  • Holder of Certificate of Completion of Training in Ophthalmology (CCT), or evidence of within six months of award of CCT or equivalent by date of interview
  • Eligible for specialist registration within six months 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 general ophthalmology and sub-specialty experience in medical retina and uveitis.
  • 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 medical retina and uveitis
  • Skills in general ophthalmology and medical retina including intra-vitreal injections/FFA review
  • Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
Desirable criteria
  • Broad range of IT skills

Clinical Governance and Audit

Essential criteria
  • Up to date knowledge and experience of relevant specialty
  • Knowledge of NHS priorities with reference to specialty
  • Skills in general ophthalmology and cataract. Able to operate Independently covering a comprehensive range of cataract surgical procedures

Research

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of the principles involved in research
  • Evidence of involvement in research
  • Evidence of publication of peer reviewed academic papers
Desirable criteria
  • Additional academic experience and qualifications e.g. PhD

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 and 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

Other

Essential criteria
  • Ability to adapt and respond to changing circumstances
  • Awareness of personal limitations
  • Meets professional health requirements
  • Agreement to travel to and work in other Bristol NHS Foundation Trust sites necessitated by the role
Desirable criteria
  • Additional professional responsibilities at local, regional or national levels

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

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.

Application numbers

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Serena Salvatore
Job title
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Email address
[email protected]
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