Consultant Ophthalmologist - Interest in Non-Surgical Glaucoma

Overview

Applications are invited for a part-time Consultant Ophthalmologist with a specialist interest in non-surgical Glaucoma and Medical Retina to join the Ophthalmology department at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust.

The main services are based at Maidstone Hospital, with a smaller unit at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, and services are also provided at Medway Maritime Hospital.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to develop further the non-surgical Glaucoma and Medical Retina service within one of the largest ophthalmic departments in the Southeast, serving a population of 1.2 million people in Mid and West Kent.

Successful applicants will primarily work at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells sites, with outpatient sessions at Medway Maritime Hospital. These positions are whole-time appointments comprising 8 Programmed Activities (PAs).

The Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is responsible for the provision of ophthalmology services for the people of Mid and West Kent. General and sub-speciality ophthalmology services are provided at the Eye, Ear, and Mouth Unit (EEMU), a modern, purpose-built facility attached to Maidstone Hospital, with further outpatient facilities provided at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury and Medway Maritime Hospital in a “hub and spoke” model.

The post-holder will have a timetable with sessions at Maidstone and other sites.

EEMU has a busy Rapid Access department, optometric and orthoptic departments. There are two dedicated ophthalmic operating theatres at Maidstone and one dedicated theatre at the Tunbridge Wells Hospital h a stable management team, we can continually improve services and add to the already high levels of equipment provision in our department. Friday afternoon departmental teaching for all staff is consultant-led.

Research interests are supported by active links with The University of Kent at Canterbury.

Residence requirements for this post are compatible with living in the outskirts of London, or in many attractive, rural parts of Kent. Kent has selective state schooling with several excellent state grammar schools in the vicinity of Maidstone.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff, we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

to hear what our staff say.

• Provide care as a Consultant Ophthalmologist with a specialist interest in non-surgical Glaucoma and Medical Retina.
• Primarily work at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells sites, with outpatient sessions at Medway Maritime Hospital.
• Contribute to the development of non-surgical Glaucoma and Medical Retina services within the department, in a hub-and-spoke model.
• Participate in a timetable with sessions at Maidstone and at other sites.
• Support teaching activities, including Friday afternoon departmental teaching for all staff (consultant-led).
• Engage with research interests through active links with The University of Kent at Canterbury.
• Collaborate with the EEMU team, including rapid access, optometric and orthoptic services; ensure high standards of patient care and service provision.

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with an employer contribution of 23.7% and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• Additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below

For further details / informal visits contact:
Name:
Mohamed Elalfy

Job title:

Consultant Ophthalmologist/ Deputy CD Email address:  Telephone number:

Deirdre Hart (General Manager, Head and Neck) -  /