Vitreo Retina Consultant

Go back University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)

The closing date is 27 March 2026

The Bristol Eye Hospital (BEH) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is inviting applications for a consultant in vitreoretinal (VR) surgery. This is a substantive post to provide continuity following the departure of a consultant colleague. It responds to ongoing demand for tertiary-level vitreoretinal surgery and supports a high-performing, integrated retina service.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic consultant team delivering care across both BEH and Weston General Hospital (WGH).

BEH is a nationally recognised centre for training, teaching, and subspecialty ophthalmic care. It is a key part of the Division of Surgery at UHBW, which was recently rated Outstanding by the CQC. The hospital delivers a regional tertiary retina service, integrating vitreoretinal, uveitis, and medical retina care, and benefits from close collaboration with a dedicated Clinical Research Unit and an excellent ophthalmic imaging department.

The successful applicant will be expected to play an active role in service delivery, run independent clinics, provide training for VR surgery fellows, and participate in the 1-in-4 on-call rota for VR emergencies

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as 'Good' overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond.

As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them.

Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Please see attached job description and person specification for further details.

Unless there are exceptional circumstances the interviews will be face to face

• Full registration with the GMC and eligibility for the Specialist Register in Ophthalmology (or within six months at interview) Please note, this does not apply to CESR applications.
• FRCOphth (or equivalent)
• Evidence of ongoing CPD and revalidation
• Higher academic qualification (MD, PhD, MSc or equivalent)

• Evidence of broad and robust training in vitreo-retinal surgery, sufficient to practise independently as a consultant
• Demonstrated ability to deliver safe, high-quality VR care without direct supervision
• Experience managing complex and emergency VR cases, including on-call decision-making
• Clear understanding of personal limitations and appropriate escalation
• A defined area of subspecialty interest that complements the existing consultant group and service strategy

• Evidence of sustained contribution to a vitreo-retinal service over a meaningful period, including clinical delivery, teamwork, and service reliability
• Demonstrated ability to embed within an established multidisciplinary team and contribute positively to its function
• Evidence of reliability, continuity, and professional accountability in previous roles
• Experience contributing to service development or stabilisation over time

• Clear understanding of clinical governance and personal consultant-level responsibility
• Evidence of meaningful participation in audit or quality improvement, with reflection on outcomes and learning
• Demonstrated insight into errors, complications, or adverse events, and learning derived from them
• Leadership of completed QI projects resulting in measurable service improvement

• Experience teaching and supervising trainees or fellows in a structured, supportive manner
• Evidence of balancing trainee autonomy with patient safety
• Ability to provide constructive feedback and support trainees in…