Consultant Neurologist with sub-specialty interest in movement disorders
Branch: Belfast HSCT
Location: ROYAL VICTORIA HOSPITAL
Directorate: Unscheduled & Acute Care
Salary: (See job details)
Contract Type: Permanent
Opening date: 12/11/26
Closes: Fri, 04 December 2026 @ 2:00 PM
Interview Dates: It is anticipated that interviews will take place on the 7th January 2027.

Notes: Please print off the job description as this will not be available after the advert has closed. A waiting list may be compiled for similar permanent/temporary, full/part-time posts which may arise in the next 6 months.

Flexible Working
Successful applicants have the opportunity to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of Flexible Working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations, what provisions are available depends on the role being undertaken.

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Job Description
POST: Consultant Neurologist with sub-specialty interest in movement disorders
LOCATION: Department of Neurology, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
REPORTS TO: The Clinical Director, Neurology
RESPONSIBLE TO: The Chief Executive

General Information
Neurology across Northern Ireland is a top priority for development and is the subject of a service review by DOH. The aim of the review is to identify the optimal service configuration for neurology services through to 2035. Accompanying this we expect a major development and investment programme to support an exciting transformation programme. The service currently falls short in meeting demand, in workforce and in meeting the needs and expectations of people with neurological conditions and their families.

With Neurology being given a Regional focus to improve and modernise, it is an ideal time to join the team. The Neurology workforce in Northern Ireland work closely together and clinicians are taking the lead to design and provide evidence-based models of care, which are safe, accessible, effective and person-centred in the transformation of neurological care.

The Belfast Health Care Trust
The Belfast Trust delivers integrated health and social care to approximately 340,000 citizens in the greater Belfast area and provides the majority of regional specialist services for the population of Northern Ireland (1.9 million people). With an annual budget of over £1.3bn and a workforce of over 20,000, we are also a Trust with teaching hospitals and have strong links with our local university partners providing high quality training for medical and other health care professionals across all disciplines.

Further details about the Trust can be found on the Trust's website www.belfasttrust.hscni.net

Hospital Profiles
The Royal Hospitals is the largest hospital complex in Northern Ireland, comprising the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital (RJMH), the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) and the School of Dentistry. Major re-developments of the Royal Group of Hospitals are underway, which includes the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. A new Critical Care Building with emergency department and operating theatres is currently in the process of opening. The Royal Hospitals play a major role in clinical education, training and research, with most academic departments linked to the Queen's University of Belfast Medical School on the Royal Hospital's complex – medicine, surgery, ophthalmology, child health, obstetrics and gynaecology, and pathology. The Royal Victoria Hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Centre and supports the Northern Ireland Trauma Network and Northern Ireland Air-Ambulance Service.

The Royal Victoria Hospital is home to the Regional Neuroscience Centre incorporating Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neurophysiology.

Neurosciences Service Information
The Regional Neurosciences Unit is based at the Royal Victoria Hospital and provides a full range of services for the population of Northern Ireland of 1.9 million.

The Neurology Unit
The Neurosciences Unit is located in Ward 4E and Ward 4F of the Royal Victoria Hospital. Ward 4E contains 18 adult Neurology beds and 9 adult Neurosurgery beds. Ward 4F has 25 beds. Neurocritical care patients are managed in ICU. Neurosurgery theatres, CT & MRI and Critical Care are all co-located in close proximity to each other.

There are around 15,700 adult Neurology outpatient attendances per annum, 1,100 inpatients and 870 day cases.

Movement Disorder Service
The BHSCT hosts the Regional Movement Disorder Service for Northern Ireland and is a tertiary referral centre for all hypokinetic and hyperkinetic movement disorders. In addition, it supports the delivery of all currently available advanced therapies for Parkinson's disease, including the use of infusional therapies such as apomorphine and Duodopa. DBS assessment and workup are undertaken in BHSCT and surgery undertaken in partnership with another UK centre, such as the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London. A business case is under development to support local DBS surgery at the BHSCT and the Neurology team are supported by subspecialist Neurosurgeons with expertise in Functional Neurosurgery.

The current Movement Disorder Consultant team see all general movement disorders and some have developed particular areas of subspecialist interest in diagnostic movement disorders, Neuro-genomics, DBS and functional neurosurgical therapies.

Job Summary / Main Purpose
The main duty of the consultant will be the provision with consultant colleagues of a Regional Neurology Service in Northern Ireland with responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions, and the proper functioning of the department.
This is a new post and the post-holder will be expected to have a demonstrable subspecialist interest and expertise in the management of movement disorders. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will have a key role, with colleagues, in developing the provision of movement disorder services not just within the Belfast Trust but across N Ireland.

Main Duties / Responsibilities

• Responsible for patients referred to the neurology unit for investigation and treatment in the hospital wards and outpatient clinics.
• Attends his/her outpatient sessions and is responsible for the appropriate management of these patients, either within the hospital or advising the referring practitioners on appropriate care.
• Will be required to consult in various areas of the hospital outside the Neurology Department, and other hospitals within Northern Ireland.
• Undertakes the administrative duties associated with the care of his/her patients and in the running of the Clinical Department.
• Actively participates in the teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students including Nursing and Allied Health Professionals.
• Participates in Departmental Governance Meetings and Postgraduate Conferences.

Managerial Responsibilities

• Undertake administrative duties associated with the care of his/her patients and the running of the department in conjunction with colleagues.
• Be expected to be involved in the planning, implementation and management of the neurological services.
• Delegate appropriate responsibility and authority to the level of staff within his/her control, consistent with effective decision making, while retaining overall responsibility and accountability for results.
• Take such action as may be necessary in disciplinary and grievance matters in accordance with the procedures laid down and approved by the Trust.
• Identify objectives with the Clinical Director and agree an action plan ensuring personal development.
• Participate in the selection and appointment of staff in accordance with hospital procedures.

Essential Criteria

• Full GMC registration plus a Licence to Practise.
• Membership of the Royal College of Physicians in the UK (MRCP UK) or equivalent qualification.
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register for Neurology via CCT (proposed CCT date must be within 6 months of interview date), CESR or European Community Rights.
• Demonstrable sub-specialty expertise and experience in all aspects of Movement Disorders, evidenced by completion of an appropriate Clinical Fellowship in Movement Disorders within/after higher specialist training.
• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English adequate to enable effective communication about medical topics with patients and colleagues.
• Must have access to a means of transport to facilitate movement between sites.
• Eligibility to work in the UK as per UK Visa and Immigration Regulations.

Desirable Criteria

• Evidence of original work as demonstrated by publications, research and/or a higher degree.
• Formal qualifications in Medical Education such as PG Certificate or Masters Degree.

Indicative Consultant Job Plan
Whole time consultant in Neurology for Belfast Health & Social Care Trust (WTE 1.0). The job plan comprises 10 PAs per week, including 8.0 Direct Clinical Care PAs and 2.0 Supporting Professional Activity PAs, with predictable and unpredictable emergency on-call (1 in 12 rota, Category A).

Terms & Conditions: This appointment is subject to the Consultant Terms & Conditions of Service (Northern Ireland) 2004, and as amended. Salary is as per current Consultant salary scale. Appointment is subject to a satisfactory pre-employment health assessment with the Trust's Occupational Health service. Canvassing will disqualify. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer and employees must comply with the Trust's Equality Scheme.