Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry, Mental Health Liaison Service
Ref: 55824323

Branch: Altnagelvin Hospital
Location: TBD on Appointment
Directorate: Adult Mental Health & Disability Services
Functional Area: Adult Mental Health & Learning Disability Services
Contract Type: Permanent
Opening date: 09/11/26
Closes: Fri, 27 November 2026 @ 3:30 PM
Interview Dates: TBC

Important Note
Due to challenges in filling this role, the Trust has received approval from the Department of Health to apply a Recruitment and Retention Premium (RRP) to this position for successful applicants joining HSCNI.

The rate of 20% of the basic starting salary will be applied as RRP, exclusive of any clinical excellence or discretionary points and any on call availability supplement.

The RRP will normally be paid as a lump sum. The RRP is a fixed rate for the 2 year period and is not uplifted by incremental progression or by any uplift arising from pay awards. The allowance is non-pensionable.

Please be aware you will be expected to remain in the post for at least 2 years and that the premium will be repayable if you leave the post before the end of the 2 year period.

It is important to note that this RRP does not apply to applicants applying from within HSCNI.

Job Summary
The WHSCT wishes to appoint a 1.6 WTE Consultant Psychiatrist to work in the newly developed Mental Health Liaison Service. The post holder will work within the multidisciplinary team to deliver an integrated mental health assessment and psychiatry liaison service for the adult population of 18-65 year olds within the trust acute hospitals.

The appointed consultant will provide expert assessment and advice to the team regarding all mental health presentations to the service, provide advice and supervision to the team, and is envisaged to be involved in providing some teaching and training to acute hospital staff.

Key Result Areas / Main Responsibilities

• Provide psychiatric care to patients referred to the Western Health and Social Care Trust Mental Health Liaison Service.
• Provide medical expertise within the Multidisciplinary Liaison Team.
• Provide professional leadership including clinical supervision to the medical team and clinical leadership within a multidisciplinary and multi-agency environment.
• Ensure effective liaison between mental health services, acute hospitals and other voluntary and statutory agencies.
• Assist with the development of training and education for acute hospital and mental health staff.
• Participate in the consultant on-call rota and arrange mutual cover with consultant colleagues.

Essential Criteria

• Hold or be eligible for Full General Medical Council (London) and Licence to Practise, and be on or be eligible to be on the GMC Specialist Register for General Adult Psychiatry/Psychiatry of Old Age, via CCT or Portfolio Pathway.
• A minimum of 6 months experience of any age liaison psychiatry within the last 5 years.
• Hold a current full driving licence valid for use in the UK and access to a car, or access to a form of transport approved by the Trust.

Desirable Criteria

• Endorsement in Liaison Psychiatry or Addictions Psychiatry.
• Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management.
• Recognition as a trainer on the GMC register.
• Sub-speciality experience in Addictions, Psychiatry of Old Age, Neuro Psychiatry or Perinatal Psychiatry.

Terms and Conditions
This post will be subject to the Consultant Terms and Conditions of Service (Northern Ireland). A job plan based on 10 Programmed Activities, including a minimum of 1.5 Programmed Activities for Supporting Professional Activities per week, will be developed. Annual Leave: 6 weeks plus 2 days leave per annum. Applications are welcome from candidates unable to work full time.

The Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer.