Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist/Consultant Practitioner (Ash Ward)

Job summary

Permanent | Full Time (10 PAs) | No On-Call Commitment

We are seeking a dynamic and compassionate Consultant Psychiatrist to lead our Forensic Low Secure Service on Ash Ward and work in partnership with our Specialist Community Forensic Service.

Ash Ward has been a member of the Quality Network for Forensic Mental Health Services since its inception and is part of the South West Provider Collaborative, providing access to shared bed stock, peer networks, forums, and training opportunities.

The ward is co-located with the Specialist Community Forensic Team and benefits from a fully staffed, stable multidisciplinary team, resulting in excellent relational security as demonstrated through regular external Quality Walkthrough Reviews (QWWs).

The post is supported by a shared Specialty Doctor and will include a full-time Core Trainee once a substantive consultant is appointed.

As Consultant Psychiatrist, you will provide clinical leadership, manage a diverse caseload, contribute to service development, and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.

Flexible working arrangements are available, including opportunities for remote working and the potential for a four-day working week.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a well-established service with strong professional support, outstanding multidisciplinary working, and a commitment to delivering high-quality forensic mental health care.

Main duties of the job

Please see job description for full details of this position and the person specification required to undertake this role.

We encourage and promote flexible timetables which can be agreed through job planning with the Clinical Director/Service Lead. The role includes a minimum of 7.5 Programmed Activities (PAs) for Direct Clinical Care, alongside 1.5 SPA for core professional activities (an additional 1.0 SPA for leadership, service development and other activities is negotiable).

Your job plan will be reviewed within 3 months of appointment and is subject to annual review.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities

Clinical

Provide consultant leadership to and provision of care for the Ash Ward patient population

Undertake access assessments as part of the South-West Provider Collaborative at HMP

Bristol and Exeter with recommendations for care

Maintain professional registration with the AC/RC responsibilities for patients under the

Mental Health Act.

Collaborate with system partners to ensure patient flow between prison, secure mental health

services and the community

Undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients in a timely and

accurate fashion, including liaison with the Ministry of Justice.

Managerial

Contribute to service development, clinical governance, and strategic planning.

Promote open communication and teamwork across a variety of services and professional

networks.

Participate in annual appraisal for consultants. and job plan review, ensuring the role evolves

with service changes and modernisation.

Follow Trust policies and procedures, contribute to financial management, and support the

medical director and managers in service planning.

Academic:

Participate in teaching, research, and supervision of junior doctors

Be involved in clinical audits, champion quality improvement projects and play a role in

ongoing research.

Attend and participate in the academic programme of the Trust, including a bespoke Mental

Health CPD programme

Career development opportunities:

You will be supported to become an advanced trainer and will be encouraged to teach post

graduates as well as medical students from Bristol and Plymouth universities. You will be

supported in opportunities to develop more formal roles e.g. academic tutor, placement

coordinator, honorary lecturer, appraisal and deanery roles.

You will be encouraged to join our thriving network of clinicians interested in mental health

research. There are opportunities to develop research interests, supervise service

improvements, and support national studies, informally or as local Principal Investigator.

Additional opportunities in medical management exist including formal leadership roles (such

as clinical lead/clinical director), governance roles, incident reviews, service development

and specialist oversight roles.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• MBBS or equivalent
• MRCPsych
• GMC Specialist Register (or within 6 months of CCT)
• Approved Clinician / Section 12 approval

Experience

Essential

• Experience in forensic psychiatry
• Evidence of leadership, teaching, and clinical governance involvement

Additional Criteria

Essential

• Please see job description for full details of essential person specifications required for both position

Desirable

• Postgraduate thesis or research experience
• Dual accreditation (for medical applicants)
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Experience in service development or strategic planning
• Valid UK driving licence or access to transport