Consultant Cardiologist

Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, staff pride themselves on not only leading through clinical excellence, but also by creating an environment where all staff are valued and appreciated. To achieve this, the Trust has embarked on an exciting new strategy focused on continuous improvement.

Our vision is to improve the lives of our community and provide excellence in healthcare, through partnership and innovation

Our High Performance Culture will support everyone to be the best version of themselves by being true to our Trust vision, values and behaviours.
We welcome applications from colleagues from our local and neighbouring communities of all backgrounds and identities, who are currently under-represented within our region such as Black, Asian, Minority ethnic and those with disabilities.

As a region we are reviewing the way we work, and exploring how new working practices that support flexible working can create a positive work-life balance. As part of our recruitment process we will explore how our inclusive employment policies, flexible working, staff engagement forums, Trust facilities and services can be of mutual benefit.

The Trust is seeking to appoint a full‑time Consultant Cardiologist to join its established team of cardiologists and play a key role in the continued development and expansion of the cardiology service.

The department offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic and treatment facilities, including CT coronary angiography, dobutamine and exercise stress echocardiography, transoesophageal echocardiography, and a dedicated Cardiology Day Suite providing on‑site cardiac pacing services. As part of a growing department, you will work alongside a dynamic, flexible, and highly motivated team of consultants and specialist practitioners. The successful candidate will benefit from strong multidisciplinary support, including regular one‑to‑one meetings and guidance from the Clinical Lead.

Following the completion of a major refurbishment in August 2021, the Cardiology Ward and Coronary Care Unit (CCU) were redesigned to create a modern Cardiology Unit comprising 16 inpatient beds within a single ward area. Of these, six beds are monitored and ten are non‑monitored. In addition, six telemetry monitors are available for use across other inpatient areas throughout the Trust, enhancing the unit's ability to provide specialist cardiac care.

We provide a 7 day in reach service to our 53 bedded AMU, with support from the Cardiac Specialist Nurses during the working week. We are exploring new models of working with our primary care colleagues in the community as well as closely integrating services with our regional tertiary referral centre, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital. We were proud to receive a favourable review by the GIRFT team in Dec 2019 and our future development plans reflect the suggestions of this report.

Clinical

• Ward rounds for inpatients, including a daily inreach to the AMU for cardiac patients
• Reviewing and advising on the management of inpatients referred by other specialists within the hospital
• Diagnostic Imaging - including CTCA, TOE and Stress Echo.

Non-Clinical

• Responsible for the training of Core and Speciality Trainees, Foundation doctors.
• Develop Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Speciality Doctor
• Supervising Audit projects and CME
• Attend weekly meetings
• Attend monthly meetings (Speciality team, Local Heart Disease Network etc.
• Development and promotion of evidence‑based practice and guidelines
• Active contribution to the departmental Clinical Governance structure
• Multi-disciplinary team working and leadership
• Relevant participation in management
• Other appropriate duties and responsibilities

The…