Job summary
We are delighted to invite applications for a Consultant Paediatric Neurologist to join our expanding Paediatric Neurology service. This is an exciting opportunity to work alongside 3 experienced Consultant colleagues as we continue to develop and strengthen specialist Neurology care for children across Preston, Lancashire & South Cumbria. The successful candidate will become a key member of our tertiary Paediatric Neurology team, helping to shape and grow the service over the coming years. This post will take the lead for the specialist epilepsy service provision for the region.

We are seeking an enthusiastic Consultant with a passion for epilepsy care to lead our regional epilepsy service, including the delivery of a monthly regional epilepsy clinic and a monthly ketogenic diet clinic. There will be an opportunity to develop additional specialist interests -The service in Preston is highly integrated with the service in Manchester - The post holder will take part in the hot week service in Manchester providing 3 weeks of cover a year. The successful candidate will also attend Manchester on a two-weekly basis to provide a general neurology clinic and join the epilepsy clinic in Manchester. The expectation is that they will also take part in NORCESS.

If you are committed to delivering excellent care and are excited by the opportunity to guide the future direction of Paediatric Neurology services in Lancashire and South Cumbria, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job
The post-holder will play an active role in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, contributing to high-quality training for the next generation of clinicians. There are also opportunities to engage in research, with support available for those wishing to develop academic interests. Preston has a strong research base, and is one of the few centres with a dedicated Clinical Research Facility.

We are looking for a motivated, forward-thinking Consultant who is eager to:

• Lead and innovate within our epilepsy and ketogenic diet services
• Contribute to service development across the region
• Work collaboratively within a supportive and highly skilled multi-disciplinary team

About us
You will join a thriving paediatric department comprising of 26 WTE Consultants, including 2 Paediatric Neurologists, 6 WTE Consultant Community Paediatricians and 9 Neonatologists. The post is based at Royal Preston Hospital but also linking closely with Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

The department is increasing its commitment to medical student teaching, being seconded to the Trust from the University of Manchester. Considerable opportunities exist for research and development within the Trust. Preston has a track record for research in children, working in close collaboration with the regional universities. We carry a number of portfolio studies and hold nearly £800.000 in project grants. LTHTR also runs a number of managerial courses to further develop leadership skills.

Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job description, Person specification and Specialty/ Trust Brochure for further details on:

• What we can offer
• Job Plan/On-call Requirements
• The Team

Please note, we are working towards an interview date of 10th September 2026.
Informal enquiries should be made with Silas Nicholls, Chief Executive on 01772 522692 and Dr Steve Canty, Medical Director on 01772 528344.
For further enquiries, please contact Dr Christian De Goede in Preston 01772 522246 and Dr Uma Varma in Manchester 0161 7012346.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Full GMC Registration and Licence to Practice
• MRCPCH
• Completed or within 6 months of completion of CCT in Paediatrics and completed sub specialty training in Paediatric Neurology or the equivalent (Must be entered on the Specialist Register or entry within 6 months)

Desirable

• A higher qualification, e.g. MD PhD.

Experience & Skills
Essential

• Broad based experience in specialty
• Wide experience in management of epilepsy in children

Desirable

• Experience in subspecialty to complement the departmental needs
• Experience in supporting children on the ketogenic diet and vagal nerve stimulator

Management
Essential

• Evidence of Clinical Leadership
• Evidence of commitment to audit and improving clinical practice/service development
• Evidence of interest in personal development e.g. through research and/or publications
• Evidence of audit and clinical governance

Desirable

• Attendance at appropriate management, teaching, appraisal and mentorship courses.
• Evidence of the development of leadership within the work environment.
• Higher degree (MSc PhD)
• Publication

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.

Employer details
Employer name: Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Preston Hospital, Sharoe Green Lane, Preston, PR2 9TH, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/