Job summary
This post is a full time position for a Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist with a Special Interest in Emergency Eye Care for nine months to cover Maternity Leave. The successful candidate will primarily provide consultant led assessment, diagnosis and management of patients presenting with acute ophthalmic conditions within the Emergency Eye Care Unit. They will deliver timely clinical decisions to ensure compliance with national waiting time and emergency care standards.

This post does not come with any research responsibilities. However, post holders with an interest in research are advised to discuss opportunities with the Clinical Director for Surgery around any research opportunities and follow all appropriate governance policies related to research

Main duties of the job

• Provide clinical advice and support to Emergency Departments, General Practitioners, Optometrists, Minor Injury Units and other referring clinicians
• Provide Senior Clinical decision-making to support same-day Emergency assessment and treatment, reducing avoidable hospital admissions and preventing irreversible visual loss
• Lead the triage, prioritisation and management of urgent referrals received from Community Optometrists, General Practitioners, Emergency Departments, Minor Injury Units and other specialties
• Support the development and delivery of consultant led urgent eye care pathways in collaboration with primary care optometry services and regional ophthalmology networks
• Deliver emergency ophthalmic procedures and interventions appropriate to clinical competence, including Anterior Chamber procedures, Laser treatments, and management of Ocular Trauma and Emergency Surgical decision-making.
• Be involved in all aspects of the department's work, including Teaching, Audit, Elective Care and Trauma Care
• Work closely with clinical colleagues, nursing and other allied health care professionals to enhance the level of patient care in the Health Board

About us
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) is Wales's largest health organisation, with a budget of over £2.4 billion and a workforce of over 20,000 staff.

BCUHB provides a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and specialist hospital services for the population of North Wales, across 3 acute hospitals and a network of community hospitals, health centres, clinics, and mental health units. It also co-ordinates or provides the work of GP practices and NHS services provided by dentists, opticians, and pharmacists across the region.

The Health Board is an integrated health system that strives for excellent, compassionate care delivered in partnership with the public sector and other statutory and third sector organisations.

Details
Date posted: 16 September 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: £125,509 a year per annum pro rata
Contract: Locum
Duration: 9 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 050-ABH-OPHTH-0926-L
Job locations: Abergele Hospital, Llanfair Road, Abergele, LL22 8DP, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Candidates are encouraged to refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further information.

If you are ready to make a significant impact on the future of healthcare in North Wales and possess the skills and experience required for this role, we invite you to apply.

Informal conversations are encouraged prior to applying.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Full GMC Registration
• Emergency Eye Care Fellowship

Desirable

• GMC Specialist Registration in Ophthalmology
• Evidence of fellowship / training or competencies in Glaucoma or Oculoplastics

Experience and Knowledge
Essential

• An understanding of the strategic and operational issues underpinning clinical governance, with evidence and daily experience in a similar
• Evidence an understanding of NHS management practices and their application
• Evidence of commitment to Life Long Learning and Continued Professional Development

Desirable

• Evidence of completing management courses
• Departmental administration experience

Ability
Essential

• Ability to apply knowledge
• Ability to write relevant, legible clinical notes
• Safe and effective verbal communication skills
• Willingness to involve patients in their management
• Ability to handle difficult interviews with patients or relatives with tact and sensitivity
• Basic IT skills
• Evidence of completed audit projects

Desirable

• Advanced IT skills
• Critical appraisal courses / skills

Additional Requirements
Essential

• A team player who values the individual contributions of a multi-disciplinary team
• Reliable, self-motivated and punctual
• Evidence of the ability to work in stressful situations and / or when under pressure
• Ability to work flexibly
• A willingness to work outside working hours at short notice in times of need
• Fluent English Speaker

Desirable

• Able to commence work within three months of appointment
• Willingness to undertake professional responsibilities at local / regional / national level
• Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
• Welsh speaker or willingness to learn

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
Address: Abergele Hospital, Llanfair Road, Abergele, LL22 8DP, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://bcuhb.nhs.wales/train-work-live/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Ms Raquel Ribeiro
Ana.Ribeiro@wales.nhs.uk

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.
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 (Opens in a new tab).
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 (Opens in a new tab).
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).