Locum Consultant Paediatric General Surgeon

Overview

The post-holder will provide high-quality, consultant-led paediatric and neonatal general surgical care to children across Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall, supporting the development of a high-level paediatric surgery service at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP). The role will strengthen local provision, reduce avoidable tertiary transfers, improve equity of access for families, and support networked delivery of specialist children’s surgical services across the South West.

• Deliver consultant-level elective and emergency paediatric general surgery, including neonatal surgery appropriate to a high-level paediatric non-specialised surgical service.
• Manage common and intermediate paediatric surgical conditions locally, including inguinal hernia repair, orchidopexy, pyloromyotomy, gastrostomy formation, paediatric laparoscopy, central venous access, endoscopic procedures for foreign body ingestion, and distal hypospadias in liaison with plastic surgery when appropriate.
• Provide emergency surgical input for children and neonates admitted to UHP, both ward based and on emergency lists.
• Work collaboratively with paediatric anaesthetics, paediatrics, neonatology, radiology, intensive care, and nursing teams to ensure safe, effective peri‑operative care and timely senior decision-making.
• Work alongside emergency general surgery, paediatrics and neonatology to provide complete and seamless patient care.

• Full registration with the GMC with a licence to practise.
• Demonstrable experience in paediatric general surgery at consultant level.
• Ability to independently manage common and intermediate paediatric surgical conditions.
• Experience of emergency paediatric surgery.
• Experience of neonatal surgical care appropriate to a high-level paediatric surgical unit.
• Commitment to high standards of patient safety and family‑centred care.
• Evidence of sound clinical judgement and decision‑making.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to clinical governance, audit and quality improvement.
• Understanding of networked models of paediatric surgical care.
• Experience of teaching and supervising trainees and students.
• Excellent communication skills with children, families and colleagues.
• Ability to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries.
• Demonstrates professionalism, integrity and leadership.
• Flexible, resilient and adaptable to service development.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and reducing health inequalities.
• Willingness to contribute to service growth and innovation.

• Subspecialty interests such as neonatal surgery, paediatric gastrointestinal surgery or paediatric urology.
• Experience supporting or developing paediatric surgical services in a DGH or networked model.
• Evidence of research, publications or presentations.
• Formal educational or leadership qualifications.

UHP is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Applicants must demonstrate behaviours consistent with Trust values and a commitment to providing equitable care for all children and families.

We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.