Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry North Devon

Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry North Devon

North Devon offers outstanding beaches, surfing, kitesurfing, outdoor swimming and excellent opportunities for riding and running. Dartmoor is close by, providing a stunning environment and a great place to raise children away from big city pressures.

The team is friendly, supportive and well regarded for staff retention and high‑quality clinical work. The hospital is small and easy to navigate, enabling strong relationships across clinical and managerial teams, with a caring and relaxed culture.

The post is well supported by local Psychiatric Consultants, regular team supervision, links with Liaison Teams across the county and close collaboration within the team. The service works a Core 15 model, with the medical component providing care 9am‑5pm to people admitted to inpatient wards or attending the Emergency Department.

The team also contributes to the Integrated Psychological Medicine Service with Talkworks (IAPT), Health Psychology and Medical and Surgical Specialties, developing pathways for people with functional and chronic conditions.

The multidisciplinary team includes Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers, Liaison Psychologists, Consultant Psychiatrists and Junior Doctors. We work in a self‑contained unit that supports excellent communication while remaining closely connected to the general and psychiatric hospital on the same site. Strong administrative support is in place.

The role is to provide consultant leadership to a multidisciplinary Liaison Psychiatry service, with opportunities for development and clinical leadership in the Integrated Psychological Medicine Service.

The clinical work is highly variable which makes it challenging at times but very interesting. This service is currently for patients age 18+ and would fit with either General Adult, Older Adult or Liaison training experience.

Teaching, as with all liaison teams, is an essential part of the role both locally, regionally, within the hospital, within the team and with medical students and is a rewarding part of the post.

The post holder will be expected to engage in the service governance programme and service improvement projects. There is an active and supportive QI team in the Trust.

On calls are part of the post and whilst relatively frequent (Pro Rata 1:6) they are not intense and mostly constitute telephone advice and infrequent MHA assessments.

The role is well supported by all levels of trainee medical staff and the post provides supervision to these trainees.

Research interests are very encouraged and the Trust R&D team has links with the University of Exeter and a well‑regarded reputation for participation in both regional and multi‑centre national trials. Development of consultant roles such as a research principle investigator is well established and supported.

• Prior experience working in a Multidisciplinary Mental health team.
• Experience of psychiatric practice in a range of settings, especially in acute inpatient hospital settings.
• Experience of audit and an understanding of the principles of clinical governance.
• Evidence of development of special interest in Hospital or Primary Care based Liaison Psychiatry.
• Proven commitment to improving the quality of clinical care.

• Full Registration with the General Medical Council.
• To hold Approved Clinician status at the point of taking up post.
• Eligible for inclusion in the Specialist Register or within 6 months of CCT at time of interview.
• Approved under section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act 1983.
• CCT in Old Age/General Psychiatry.

• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and managers.
• Awareness of NHS management and funding arrangements.
• Management training / experience.
• Experience of involvement in service development.

• Evidence of ability to exercise leadership in a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other clinical teams.
• A team player able to inspire and support staff at all levels of training and across professional disciplines.
• A commitment to continuing professional development.
• A commitment to multidisciplinary…