Consultant Ophthalmologist - Interest in Vitreo-Retinal Surgery

Overview

Applications are invited for a consultant Ophthalmologist with a specialist interest in Medical Retina and Vitreo-Retinal surgery 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 at Medway Maritime Hospital.

This post offers an exciting opportunity to further develop the Medical Retina and Vitreo-Retinal service within one of the largest ophthalmic departments in the South East, which provides care for a population of 1.2 million people living in Mid and West Kent. The successful applicant will be expected to work predominantly at the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells sites, with out-patients sessions provided at Medway Maritime Hospital.

These posts are whole-time appointments comprising 10 PAs, which include an on-call commitment.

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.

• 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
• And more, 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: , Telephone:

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