Specialty Doctor in Palliative Care
This post is for a Specialty Doctor in Palliative Care.

It would be suitable for doctors who are fully registered with a license to practice, and who have at least 2 years clinical experience post-registration. Essential and desirable criteria are listed under 'person specifications' below.

This post is particularly suitable for doctors who have an interest in any of the following:

• Pursuing a career in Palliative Medicine and/or Frailty and/or Elderly Care
• Working across the interface between hospital and community care
• Acquiring excellent advanced communication skills
• Working in a dynamic environment
• Working within a multi-disciplinary team

Main duties of the job

• Working collaboratively with other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT): MDT working is a key component of working in the department. The post holder will work closely with the palliative care Clinical Nurse Specialists, with the End of Life Care Nurses, and with any other members of the MDT.
• Reviewing patients referred to the Specialist Palliative Care Team (SPCT) on any ward (including ED) within Luton & Dunstable Hospital (LDH). This will include new patient assessments and reviews of patients on the team's caseload.
• As needed, reviewing patients alone or with another member of the SPCT.
• Electronic prescribing of medications for symptom management for patients on the SPCT caseload.
• Leading and/or attending family meetings as required.
• Managing complex communication including breaking bad news, advance care planning, managing the dying phase and more.
• Promptly escalating and/or highlighting the need for senior support and/or review for any of the patients on the SPCT caseload.
• Liaising with medical and surgical teams within LDH. This could include discussing patients on the SPCT caseload, discussing new or potential referrals, and providing SPC advice.

About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Details
Date posted: 15 October 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Specialty Doctor
Salary: £63,696 to £102,689 a year Per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 418-M-ON-004
Closing date: 29 October 2026

Job responsibilities

• Working collaboratively with other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT).
• Reviewing patients referred to the Specialist Palliative Care Team (SPCT) on any ward (including ED) within Luton & Dunstable Hospital (LDH), including new patient assessments and reviews of patients on the team's caseload.
• As needed, reviewing patients alone or with another member of the SPCT.
• Electronic prescribing of medications for symptom management for patients on the SPCT caseload.
• Leading and/or attending family meetings as required.
• Managing complex communication including breaking bad news, advance care planning, managing the dying phase and more.
• Promptly escalating and/or highlighting the need for senior support and/or review for any of the patients on the SPCT caseload.
• Liaising with medical and surgical teams within LDH, including discussing patients, new or potential referrals, and providing SPC advice.
• Providing care to patients registered with the palliative virtual ward (PVW), including home visits alone and/or with another member of the MDT, in line with the PVW Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
• For patients on the PVW, acting as the first point of call for medical advice for community CNSs and other non-medical healthcare professionals.
• Attending the weekly SPC MDT.
• When needed, attending the morning pan-Bedfordshire SPC huddle.
• Supporting the consultant and other members of the MDT in clinical work, including teaching and training of multi-disciplinary staff, clinical audit, quality improvement activities, and reviewing guidelines.
• Keeping clear and accurate clinical notes (in line with Trust policies and GMC guidance) on all appropriate IT systems as specified by the SPCT, including at least NerveCentre and Systmone.
• Making onward referrals (internal and external) for patients on the SPCT or PVW caseloads, as appropriate.

Person Specification
Qualifications (Essential):

• MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
• Relevant postgraduate qualification MRCP Part 1 or equivalent

Qualifications (Desirable):

• MRCP Part II Written or PACES or equivalent
• Postgraduate qualification relevant to palliative medicine or related specialty

Eligibility (Essential):

• Full GMC Registration (GMC Licence to Practice is mandatory before employment commences)
• Evidence of achievement of Foundation competencies by time of appointment in line with GMC standards in Good Medical Practice
• Evidence of achievement of ST1/CT1 competences in a relevant specialty at time of application and likelihood of achieving ST2/CT2 competences by the start date of the post
• Minimum of 2 years clinical experience, with broad medical experience and some experience managing palliative care patients
• Eligibility to work in the UK

Eligibility (Desirable):

• Experience working in a specialist palliative care team (in hospital, community or hospice settings)

Fitness to practise (Essential):

• Applicant's knowledge is up to date and fit to practise safely

Language skills (Essential):

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English adequate for effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues

Health (Essential):

• Meets professional health requirements (in line with GMC standards in Good Medical Practice)

Clinical skills (Essential):

• Relevant specialty clinical knowledge
• Clinical judgement: experience in making clinical decisions and managing risk
• Practical skills required for the job
• Proven ability to work effectively in different clinical settings

Specialty specific skills (Essential):

• Good understanding of the principles underlying palliative care practice
• Basic or higher knowledge of 1st line palliative care symptom management steps
• Excellent communication skills, including in difficult circumstances
• Ability to summarise and present clinical cases for effective handover
• Competent and safe prescriber, including of controlled drugs
• Ability to cooperate in a democratic team environment

Clinical governance (Essential):

• Capacity to be alert to dangers or problems, aware of own limitations, and track record of reporting errors and learning from them
• Evidence of active participation in audit
• Evidence of interest and experience in teaching where required

Clinical governance (Desirable):

• Understanding of the principles of research, with evidence of relevant academic and research achievements

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Luton, LU4 0DZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/

For questions about the job, contact: General Manager Karen Jackson, karen.jackson@bedsft.nhs.uk, 01234355122

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