Job summaryTorbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is looking to appoint a dynamic, innovative, flexible and forward-thinking consultant colleague with a particular interest in hospital based palliative care on a 12month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave. The successful applicant will join existing consultants based in Torbay; Dr George Walker, Dr Sarah Human and Dr Fay Murray-Brown. The Torbay and South Devon Specialist Palliative Care Service is delivered by 2 providers; Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and Rowcroft Hospice. Although not formally integrated, the 2 organisations aim to provide a seamless service for patients; the cornerstone of this provision is a combined medical consultant team, covering acute, community and hospice inpatient facilities. This post is based with the Hospital Palliative Care Team at Torbay Hospital.
Main duties of the jobThe postholder will join the Hospital Palliative Care Team based on the Torbay hospital site. The team forms an integral component of both the Cancer Support Team and the Torbay and South Devon Specialist Palliative Care Service.
The HPCT provides a specialist palliative care service in the acute setting from 0900 to 1800 Monday to Friday and 09.00 to 14.00 at weekends. This is a liaison service, working with teams throughout the hospital to provide support, expert advice and guidance for the care of patients requiring palliative and end of life (EOL) care. The service receives an average of 124 new referrals per month, 48% of patients with cancer and 52% with non-cancer diagnoses.
Current direct clinical medical input to the HPCT is provided by Dr Fay Murray-Brown (0.6wte), Dr Emily Russell (0.6wte) and Dr Helen Kimble (0.6wte); these figures exclude on call commitment for the whole service. Dr Sarah Human and Dr George Walker provide additional clinical support when cover required.
On call activityThe on-call commitment is 1 in 5 second on call out of hours advice for Rowcroft Hospice, Torbay Hospital and community services; this may be subject to change as the consultant workforce develops. On call activity includes support for rotating medical trainees covering the hospice first on call. There is also a 1 in 25 Friday/weekend first on call commitment for the inpatient unit at Rowcroft Hospice; admissions are taken out of hours 24/7.
About usWhy Work With Us
Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is an Integrated Care Organisation providing acute health care services from Torbay Hospital, community health services and adult social care. The Trust runs Torbay Hospital as well as five community hospitals, stretching from Dawlish to Brixham.
Torbay Hospital is a medium-sized, progressive and innovative District General Hospital providing acute services to South Devon with a 10-bedded Critical Care Unit, six general theatres, three orthopaedic theatres and a day surgery unit. We provide services in most specialties within Torbay but have close working relationships with Royal Devon University Healthcare (Exeter and North Devon) and University Hospitals Plymouth.
DetailsDate posted: 17 September 2026
Pay scheme: Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade: Consultant
Salary: £105,504 to £139,882 a year
Pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Part-time
Reference number: 388-8207651-M&D
Job locations: Torbay Hospital, Newton Road, Torquay, TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom
Job responsibilitiesThe postholder will join the Hospital Palliative Care Team (HPCT) based on the Torbay hospital site. The team forms an integral component of both the Cancer Support Team and the Torbay and South Devon Specialist Palliative Care Service.
The HPCT provides a specialist palliative care service in the acute setting from 0900 to 1800 Monday to Friday and 09.00 to 14.00 at weekends. This is a liaison service, working with teams throughout the hospital to provide support, expert advice and guidance for the care of patients requiring palliative and end of life (EOL) care. The service receives an average of 124 new referrals per month, 48% of patients with cancer and 52% with non-cancer diagnoses. In addition to direct patient care, the team has a key role in education and leadership to enhance a palliative care approach for all patients by all staff.
There are close working relationships with oncology and haematology services as well as the wider cancer support team including psychology, dietetics, speech and language services and chaplaincy. The HPCT provides representation at all cancer MDTs apart from breast, skin, urology and haematology. Support for patients with non-malignant disease forms a significant part of the workload and has recently been extended with input into Heart Failure and Liver Disease Supportive care MDTs. Specific interests of the postholder with regards to specialty MDT provision will be supported where possible.
On call activityThe on-call commitment is 1 in 5 second on call out of hours advice for Rowcroft Hospice, Torbay Hospital and community services; this may be subject to change as the consultant workforce develops. On call activity includes support for rotating medical trainees covering the hospice first on call. There is also a 1 in 25 Friday/weekend first on call commitment for the inpatient unit at Rowcroft Hospice; admissions are taken out of hours 24/7.
Person SpecificationQualifications and trainingEssential- Full registration with the GMC with licence to practice
- Fellowship of memebership of Royal College or Physicians or equivalent qualification
- Completion of higher Specialist Register ( or entry expected within 6 months of interview date )
- Minimum of English Level 2 ( GCSE grade C or equivalent), IELTS or graduate of a UK medical school
DesirableClinical experiencceEssential- Able to leave Palliative Care Multidisciplinary Team
- Able to offer expert clinical opinion
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to organise own and others' practice in an efficient manner with due attention to timeliness in dealing with administration and enquiries
Management and administrative experienceEssential- Ability to advise on efficient and smooth running of the department
- Ability to demonstrate familiarity with an understanding of NHS structures, management and current political issues, including awareness of national strategic plans and constraints
- Able to contribute to the development of effective EOL care services in acute and community settings
Desirable- Evidence of innovation development and implementation of guidance
- Evident of involving patients in practice
Teaching/Research experienceEssential- Evidence of teaching experience and undergraduate and post graduate levels and ability to teach clinical skills
- Commitment and enthusiasm to deliver high quality education
- Ability to apply research outcomes to clinical practice
Desirable- Teaching qualification
- Experience of research
- Publication of peer reviewed journals
Communication and personal skillsEssential- Resilience
- Flexible approach
- Self-motivated
- Enthusiastic
- Collaborative approach to team working
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 SponsorshipApplications 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 RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.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).Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 
