Job summary
This 7 PA Speciality doctor post is within the male medium secure part of the Forensic Directorate of the East London Foundation NHS Trust. One post is available, based at John Howard Centre (12 Kenworthy Rd, London. E9 5TD). The successful candidate provided day-to-day care for patients on one ward, Ludgate Ward. This is a fixed term appointment for one year, with a start date of 01 October 2026.

Main duties of the job
The post-holder will work at the level of a Specialty Doctor, working on Ludgate Ward.This is a fixed term post for one year.

Ludgate Ward is a newly commissioned 10 bedded male medium secure prison admission ward. The intention is to admit patients, primarily from those identified as requiring treatment for mental disorder whilst being held on remand in custody, from across the north London Collaborative, The expectation is that many of the patients will be remitted to prison after a period of treatment..

The successful candidate will join three other Speciality Doctors and seven Core Trainees covering the unit. The duties will include day-to-day management of 10 inpatients, including mental state examinations, physical health reviews and reviews of medications; reviews of enhanced observations; admission assessments, reports and discharge summaries. On occasion, there will be the opportunity to liaise with prisons and courts. Attendance at ward rounds and CPA review meetings is expected, although this may be limited because of the two ward role. A core responsibility will be the preparation of reports for the Courts, Mental Health Review Tribunals, Manager's Hearings and others as required. There will be the opportunity to participate in the treatment programmes and attend unit wide activities such as academic activity, supervision, community meetings and unit events.

About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Date posted 10 July 2026
Pay scheme Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade Specialty Doctor
Salary £59,175 to £95,400 a year, Per annum
Contract Fixed term
Duration 12 months
Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number 363-MR-FOR-8112566
Job locations John Howard Centre, 12 Kenworthy Rd, London, E9 5TD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Please see attached Job Description/ Person Specification: you will provide Speciality Doctor input into a newly commissioned prison transfer ward.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• MB BS or equivalent medical qualification

Desirable

• Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management.
• MRCPsych OR MRCPsych equivalent approved by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
• Section 12 approval.

Eligibility
Essential

• Fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment.

Desirable

• In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice

Experience
Essential

• Completed Core Training years post medical training or have equivalent experience and competencies.
• Previous Experience in a Secure Setting or working with long term psychiatric conditions

Desirable

• Experience in working in forensic learning disability

Clinical Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Excellent communications skills
• Able to communicate clearly both in written and spoken English
• Electronic keyboard skills - for accurate record keeping
• Demonstrates sound knowledge and skill base with the ability to prioritise clinical need.
• Demonstrates ability in basic skills i.e. history taking, examination (mental & physical) and the utilisation of external sources of information in order to develop care and treatment plans to meet patient needs
• Capacity to utilise a range of approaches to solving problems and making decisions
• Demonstrates understanding of the principles of audit or quality improvement methodology and research within psychiatry and their application to clinical practice
• Able to work co-operatively as part of a team and build and maintain successful working relationships with staff in a variety of different roles; an understanding of multidisciplinary team dynamics.
• Ability to recognise and manage own stress utilising the resources available.
• Able to work in an efficient, systematic and flexible manner
• Able to deal with difficult situations and to address them in a responsible and professional manner.
• Understanding of the complex nature of patient confidentiality
• Able to treat service users with respect and dignity at all times, adopting a culturally sensitive approach, which considers the needs of the whole person
• Able to build constructive relationships with warmth and empathy, using good communication skills
• Understanding and experience of the use of Rapid Tranquilisation and the management of Psychiatric emergencies

Desirable

• Psychological-mindedness, with some experience of the use of psychodynamic formulation and group work

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 East London NHS Foundation Trust
Address John Howard Centre, 12 Kenworthy Rd, London, E9 5TD, United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.elft.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Clinical Director
Dr Marc Lyall
marc.lyall@nhs.net
02085102044