Job summary
We are looking for enthusiastic candidates who can offer expert clinical opinion within the field of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases. In addition to the challenges of the role, we can offer you a commitment to teaching, education, research and audit. Candidates for the post must be registered medical practitioners.

This locum consultant post has been configured to cover the duties outlined in the job-plan of a senior colleague who is about to take a 12-month career break, in order to continue to develop our clinical service and meet quality standards within Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases. This post offers an unparalleled opportunity to be part of a dynamic and innovative team with internationally recognised clinical and academic strength. Research is a strategic priority at the GNCH and there is scope to develop clinical studies within Paediatric Immunology, Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) and Infectious Diseases.

Main duties of the job
An attending consultant system operates for the care of immunology/infectious disease in-patients and to provide consult services to other teams and GPs, to which the post-holder will contribute at least 13 weeks per year. Regular team meetings include the HSCT MDT, weekend handover meeting, and immunology/infectious diseases grand rounds (all weekly), consultant meetings (monthly) and departmental meetings every 3 months. The post-holder will conduct out-patient clinics covering immunology, and infectious diseases and TB clinics, together with associated multi-disciplinary team meetings, when not attending. The GNCH has been designated as a referral centre for infants who are identified through a newborn screening pilot programme, as requiring investigation for possible Severe Combined Immunodeficiency. In addition, the RVI is 1 of 4 national surge centres designated for the care of paediatric patients with airborne high consequence infectious diseases (HCID) and 1 of 2 for the care of children with contact HCID, such as viral haemorrhagic fevers. Members of the Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology team support this service in collaboration with the Adult Infectious Diseases Department located within the RVI. There will be a requirement to contribute to the out of hours Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology rota 1:7 (with prospective cover).

About us
For an informal discussion and further information regarding the opportunity and Directorate, please contact: Dr Stephen Owens, Head of Department - Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, email: stephen.owens@nhs.net; Dr Eleri Williams, Consultant in Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, e-mail: eleri.williams@nhs.net.

Details
Date posted: 19 October 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: £113,565 to £150,569 a year per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 317-LCON-26-255
Job locations: Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Contribute to the Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases and Services within the Trust by means of outpatient clinics, day-case and in-patient care, including consults for other teams, participation in multidisciplinary team meetings and ward rounds. Contribute to the care of children who are being prepared for, and have undergone, HSCT. Contribute to out-of-hours cover: 1:7 weekday nights and weekends for paediatric immunology and infectious diseases, not including the HSCT Unit.

Person Specification
Education, Qualifications and Specialist Skills
Essential

• Primary medical qualification.
• MRCPCH or other recognised equivalent medical qualification.
• Wide experience of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases, including infection in the immunocompromised and stem cell transplantation.
• Entry onto the GMC Specialist Register (within 6 months from the date of the AAC).

Desirable

• Research training with a Higher Degree.
• Leadership and training experience.
• Recognised teaching skills and training.
• Peer-reviewed publications.

Clinical Experience
Essential

• Evidence of a substantial career commitment to Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases.
• Ability to offer an expert clinical opinion within the field of Paediatric Immunology; evidence that such opinions are sought after.
• Ability to take independent responsibility for the clinical care of children with immunological disorders and infectious diseases referred to a tertiary centre, including tuberculosis.

Desirable

• Experience managing children exposed to or suffering from High Consequence Infectious Diseases.
• Leadership of antimicrobial stewardship programme.
• A minimum of 1 year experience of caring for children undergoing HSCT for Inborn Errors of Immunity (IEI).

Management and Administration Experience
Essential

• Involvement with management and project leadership within the specialty.
• Proven management and administration ability and understanding of management goals.
• Evidence of leadership / project management.
• Experience in quality improvement and audit.
• An understanding of Clinical Governance.
• Evidence of involvement in authoring or reviewing clinical guidelines.

Desirable

• Proven management and administrative experience and understanding of management goals.
• Evidence of leadership / project management.
• Evidence of having implemented change.
• Ability to run a service and participate in management process.
• Experience in developing and implementing new technologies.
• Experience of JACIE/QPIDS accreditation.

Teaching
Essential

• Experience of supervising junior medical staff.
• Experience of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
• Ability to teach clinical / technical / practical skills.

Desirable

• Attendance at courses to develop teaching skills.
• Postgraduate qualification in medical education.

Research
Essential

• Evidence of involvement in and understanding of research methodology and publication of findings.
• Research / critical review of literature.

Desirable

• Higher degree.
• Experience in supervising research students.
• Published research.

Audit
Essential

• Evidence of participation in audit or other quality improvement activities.

Desirable

• Evidence of having changed practice as a result of audit.
• Evidence of having revisited the audit to assess improvement.

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: The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://careers.nuth.nhs.uk/why-us (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:
HR Advisor, Victoria Cowan, victoria.cowan2@nhs.net

Applicants are considered on merit in line with the Trust's equal opportunities commitments.