Job overview

Applications are invited for the post of Consultant in Anaesthetics. 

 These are a mixture of replacement and new sessions to cover expanding surgical activity. With the current reconfiguration of services across the Health Board, including the new Grange University Hospital, the post holder may be required to work at any site across the health board to meet service needs. On-call commitment will be based primarily in the Grange University Hospital.

The Anaesthetic Directorate provides services to more than 30 theatres across the health Board. As well as undertaking elective theatre lists, we provide 24-hour cover for all emergency surgery, Trauma and Obstetrics as well as the cardiac arrest team and emergency department at the Grange University Hospital, Cwmbran. There is a 24 bedded adult critical care unit supported by an outreach team and an active acute and chronic pain management service supported by a team of pain nurses. Paediatric wards include a High-Dependency Unit and a level 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The Obstetric unit serves approximately 5500 deliveries per year supported by 2 emergency theatres and a dedicated elective theatre.

Main duties of the job

The Grange University Hospital is supported by the local general hospitals of the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport, Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny, and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr in Ystrad Mynach. The Royal Gwent Hospital is a major elective and day surgery centre supported by a 9 bedded post-operative Surgical High Care unit which has 24 hour anaesthetic staffing. Nevill Hall Hospital and Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr now operate as day surgery centres.

Substantive post holders will undertake 7 DCC’s and 3 SPA sessions per week. Applicants are expected to take part in the anaesthetics on call rota at the Grange University Hospital.  Rota frequency is currently 2 in 32 but can change with appointments and attracts a banding intensity supplement appropriate to service which will be agreed via job planning processes.  Candidates are reminded of the Clinical Futures Programme and should expect agreed changes in their working patterns over forthcoming years.  ABUHB is looking for capable applicants with skills to support the future health care models in ABUHB.

All Health Board sites offer generous departmental facilities and busy professional development activities. Shared office accommodation and secretarial support with full IT facilities will be provided.

Working for our organisation

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is committed to the well-being of our staff. Within the Anaesthetic department itself, there are two enthusiastic leads who share local oversight for Wellbeing, and there are also a number of trained and experienced mentors within the department. The department conducts regular (optional) informal meetings, known as ‘Circle’ meetings, incorporating open-ended and supportive peer discussions with colleagues. Expert professional support is also available to all Health Board employees through the Aneurin Bevan Employee Well-Being Service, which is a multidisciplinary team dedicated to improving psychosocial well-being through the direct support of individuals and the working environments within which they work. Examples of what is available include access to trained counsellors and Psychological Therapy practitioners, as well as organisational systems intended to support doctors and other staff members following a serious incident. Additionally, comprehensive Occupational Health support is available for all employees.