Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Locum Consultant in Anaesthesia
The closing date is 20 November 2026

Job summary
This is a full time Locum Consultant post for which we are looking for an enthusiastic and collaborative team player to join our Anaesthetic department. Upon appointment the final job plan will be agreed ensuring both individual and Trust / departmental objectives align.

The post holder will share clinical and managerial leadership within the Anaesthetic department with the present consultants. There is an expectation that the successful candidate will work flexibly with colleagues to ensure the maintenance of a continuing high quality service meeting patient needs and to raise departmental profiles through teaching and education.

Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:

• Have duties that include provision of anaesthesia, pre-operative assessment, post-operative visits, administration, teaching and audit.
• Work in multidisciplinary teams providing high quality care to patients and work well with colleagues providing an advisory and consultation service.
• Participate actively and enthusiastically in the clinical governance, teaching and management activities of the department.
• Participation and involvement in meetings and business planning in the anaesthesia service.

About us
Our theatres provide elective, emergency and trauma surgery within multiple operating theatres allowing a throughput of ~23,000 cases each year. The department works with the multi-disciplinary team from numerous specialities; including ENT, Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Ophthalmology, General surgery etc. to deliver surgical care safely and of a high standard. The department works to support the latest technologies, such as robotic surgery and have two state of the art Robots used for Urology, Upper GI and Colorectal surgeries.

The main site at RBH comprises of 19 operating theatres, in three separate complexes and one ring fenced Elective Orthopaedic Unit and 1 procedure room.

• South Wing Theatres - 7 theatres
• Redlands Theatres - Ring fenced Orthopaedic Unit, 4 theatres.
• Central Theatres - 5 theatres
• Maternity Theatres - 3 theatres, 1 procedural room

Prince Charles Eye Unit and West Berkshire Community Hospital provide elective services within a self-contained day bed unit:

• West Berkshire - comprises of 2 operating theatres and 1 procedural room
• Prince Charles Eye Unit - comprises of 2 operating theatres. The team specialise in Ophthalmology only within the unit.

The department also supports services provided in Interventional and diagnostic Radiology, as well as external contracts with BHFT Dental Surgery, Prospect Park and Broadmoor.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: £113,565 to £150,569 a year per annum
Contract: Locum
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 193-MS2294PCG
Job locations: Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details of the main duties and responsibilities that the post holder is required to undertake.

Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential

• Full registration with the GMC/eligible for registration
• FRCA or equivalent qualification
• Within 6 months of CCT or CESR in Anaesthesia at interview date
• Current Advanced Life Support training
• Membership of the Royal College of Anaesthetists of the United Kingdom or equivalent

Desirable

• Higher degree or other relevant qualifications related to anaesthetic practice

Clinical Experience, Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• Fully trained in Anaesthesia - Level of training equivalent to that required to obtain a CCT in Anaesthesia in the UK as defined by the RCoA
• Excellent clinical knowledge of aspects of relevant anaesthesia practice and patient care
• Subspecialty interest in obstetric and paediatric anaesthesia within UK DGH

Audit, Management & IT
Essential

• Ability to work within clinical governance guidelines
• Evidence of participation in audit and quality improvement projects, presenting data and implementing change as appropriate
• Good IT skills; use of patient and hospital databases

Desirable

• Understanding of NHS management structures
• Previous involvement in clinical leadership roles

Research, Teaching Skill & Experience
Essential

• Evidence of providing good teaching and supervision to trainees

Desirable

• Evidence of personal involvement in research
• Educational qualification or equivalent educational experience

Patient Experience
Essential

• Contributes to improving patients' experience
• See patients as individuals and involve them in decisions about their care
• Ability to work in partnership to deliver a patient-centered service
• Demonstrates an understanding and willingness to embrace user involvement

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Able to abide by the Trust CARE Values: Compassionate, Aspirational, Respectful and Excellence
• Ability to communicate with clarity and intelligence in both written and spoken English
• Willingness to take responsibility, and experts appropriate authority
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams, understanding each other's roles

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.

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: Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Consultant Anaesthetist Lauren Williams, Lauren.Williams@royalberkshire.nhs.uk, 01183227068

Privacy notice
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)