Job summary
- Main area
- Virtual Hospital
- Grade
- YC73
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed term)
- Hours
- Full time - 14 sessions per week
- Job ref
- 360-A-1054
- Employer
- West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Watford General Hospital
- Town
- Watford
- Salary
- £105,504 - £139,882 London Fringe £149 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 23/03/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Locum Consultant - Virtual Hospital
YC73
Ìý
Job overview
We are inviting applications for Consultants or GPs with significant experience in General Medicine to act as senior decision makers for the South West Hertfordshire Healthcare Partnership Virtual Hospital.
The main duties of this role are based at Watford General Hospital, with some scope to work alongside our Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH) colleagues at their site in the BRE Building (Bucknalls Lane, Watford Herts, WD25 9XX)
The Virtual Hospital (VH) is looking for qualified individuals who will help deliver 14 PAs to the VH, and as such, applications are welcomed from those who are unable to work full time for any reason or those wishing to job-share.ÌýIdeally, we are looking for a 7 PA minimum commitment. Ìý
The West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospital NHS Trust (WHTHT) virtual ward program, a system collaboration with Central London Community Healthcare Trust (CLCH), has been instrumental in maintaining WHTHT’s reputation for innovation.Ìý Currently our virtual wards include ABC (Asthma, Bronchiectasis and COPD), heart failure (HF), General Medicine (GM), Frailty and Post-surgical Colorectal.Ìý
Our consultant/GP team take primary responsibility for the patient and work alongside speciality teams delivery a mufti disciplinary approach to patient management.
The post will provide Consultant level leadership to the 75 core hub pathways (GM, HF and ABC), with plans for expansion in the future.
Main duties of the job
Provide strong clinical leadership and strategic influence, promoting quality, innovation and supporting the Virtual Ward to deliver high quality patient services outside of a traditional hospital setting. Reviewing and triaging new patient referrals for suitability, Creating appropriate and comprehensive clinical management plan.
Maintain and support the virtual ward pathways including the General Medicine pathway and covering the respiratory ABC patients 1 week in 10.Ìý
To support, along with the rest of the digital team, key digital milestones such as roll-outs and implementations of new systems.
Contribute to the operational and governance structure for the existing virtual wards and their clinical teams, be accountable for performance against agreed KPIs/trajectory and data reporting structures for virtual medicine, support the external representation of WHTHT’s virtual hospital program in the ICS and Nationally.Ìý
To help develop pathways for patients to be admitted to the VH directly from Emergency Medicine and the community the external representation of WHTHT’s virtual hospital program in the ICS and Nationally.Ìý
To help develop pathways for patients to be admitted to the VH directly from Emergency Medicine and the community.
Working for our organisation
With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us.
We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imaging models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.
Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at our Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.
Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.
At West Herts we offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance and the ability to work flexibly. https://www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking/
We kindly invite you to consider submitting an application.
If you have a disability or long-term health condition and should you require support or guidance please contact [email protected]
If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.
If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main duties of the job:
You will be fully registered with the GMC and ideally have a CCT in a relevant medical specialty (i.e. Acute/ General Medicine) or be within six months of award of CCT at the time of interview or alternatively, be on General Practice register with 2 years post registration with significant experience of inpatient general medicine. For GPs applying, it is essential to hold current GMC certificate, and it is desirable MRCP graduate.
These posts have been created to enable expansion of the Virtual Ward service which has already proven to reduce length of stay and improve patient experience.
Job ResponsibilitiesÌý
• Ìý ÌýSupport and expand current VH pathwaysÌý
• Ìý ÌýProvide clinical leadership within the Virtual Hospital
• Ìý ÌýEnsure that good clinical care is provided to the patients within the Virtual HospitalÌý
Core HoursÌý
• Ìý Ìý9-5 Monday to FridayÌý
1:10 weekends 9-2pm on site and 2-8pm on-call from home
Person specification
Please refer the JD
Essential criteria
- Please refer the JD
Desirable criteria
- Please refer the JD
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
- Dr Eleanor Zinkin
- Job title
- Clinical Lead for VH
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07743855465
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