East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Consultant in Gastroenterology
Job summary
We are inviting applications for a full-time Consultant in Gastroenterology at Ipswich Hospital.
The post is for a Consultant Gastroenterologist with a special interest in HPB medicine and endoscopy.
Main duties of the job
The appointee will provide high-quality general gastroenterology care and contribute specialist HPB expertise, including diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy appropriate to their training, competence and agreed job plan.
In addition to the clinical responsibilities of the post, the successful candidate will be expected to work with colleagues to strengthen and develop HPB endoscopy and related pathways across ESNEFT. This will include identifying opportunities to improve access, reduce avoidable delays, make effective use of endoscopy capacity and provide a more resilient service for patients across both hospital sites.
About us
We are one of the largest NHS organisation in the region, employing over 12,000 staff. We deliver care from two main hospitals in Colchester & Ipswich, six community hospitals, clinics and patient's homes.
Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.
Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits
Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of ESNEFTs core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, procedures and in its practices and to foster positive work relationships. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values of Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan and Staff Standards, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.
Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: Depending on experience
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: NDD-000246
Job locations: Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 5PD, United Kingdom
Job responsibilities
General gastroenterology

• Provide consultant-level assessment and management of gastroenterology inpatients and outpatients.
• Contribute to the consultant ward rota and the agreed acute gastroenterology and GI bleeding arrangements.
• Provide timely specialist advice to colleagues in the Emergency Department, acute medicine, surgery and other services.
• Support safe discharge, clear communication with primary care and continuity of care across organisational boundaries.
• Participate in multidisciplinary meetings and pathways relevant to the post.

HPB medicine and endoscopy

• Provide specialist clinical input for patients with hepatopancreatobiliary disease, working closely with the HPB MDT, HPB nurse specialist, radiology, pathology, oncology, surgery and tertiary referral centres.
• Undertake HPB endoscopy within the appointee's demonstrated competence and agreed job plan, including ERCP and/or EUS where applicable.
• Support timely investigation and management of suspected biliary and pancreatic disease, including appropriate diagnostic pathways, tissue acquisition and therapeutic intervention.
• Contribute to safe procedural practice, consent, peri-procedural care, complication review, audit and outcomes monitoring.
• Work with colleagues to agree referral criteria, prioritisation, escalation arrangements and cross-site pathways for HPB endoscopy.
• Support appropriate onward referral and shared-care arrangements with tertiary centres for procedures or treatments outside local provision.

Endoscopy and quality

• Deliver endoscopy activity in accordance with professional standards, Trust policies and the agreed job plan.
• Contribute to endoscopy quality assurance, clinical audit, incident review, governance and continuous improvement.
• Work collaboratively with endoscopy nursing, administration, decontamination, radiology and operational teams to improve list utilisation and patient flow.
• Support appropriate use of procedure capacity, including the development of sustainable list models that respond to clinical need and avoid unnecessary duplication.
• Contribute to training and supervision of endoscopy trainees and other clinicians within the limits of the post holder's competence and role.

Working for your organisation
At ESNEFT we provide hospital and community health services to more than one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes. As one of the largest NHS organisations in England, we employ over 12,000 staff and are committed to providing excellent opportunities for learning, development and career progression. Flexible working options will be considered for all roles where service needs allows. Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.
Our philosophy is that Time Matters. We concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause delays for our staff and patients.
We have invested in our commitment to Time Matters with the implementation of Epic electronic patient record. This will transform the way we work.
If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.
Person Specification
Qualifications

• Essential: MRCP or equivalent. Specialist Register for Gastroenterology and General Medicine (or be eligible for entry onto these registers within 6 months of interview date).
• Desirable: Postgraduate qualification or thesis relevant to the specialty.

Experience

• Essential: Clinical training and experience equivalent to that required for gaining UK CCT in Gastroenterology and G(I)M; ability to offer expert clinical opinion on a range of problems relating to Gastroenterology and endoscopy; ability to take full and independent responsibility for the clinical care of patients with competence in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy appropriate to the post; ability to contribute to an efficient, safe and responsive gastroenterology service with understanding of audit, quality improvement and NHS performance requirements.
• Desirable: Five years supervised training in an appropriate SpR equivalent training programme; experience in HPB medicine with a clear commitment to develop the existing HPB service; ERCP and/or EUS experience or evidence of advanced endoscopy training, accreditation or a plan to develop relevant competence; experience of service redesign, pathway development, cross-site working, workforce development or business planning.

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.
Employer details
Employer name: East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Ipswich Hospital, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 5PD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Hemant Laxaman, Hemant.Laxaman@esneft.nhs.uk
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