Second Opinion Appointed Doctor

WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS IF YOU HAVE 3 YEARS EXPERIENCE AS A SUBSTANTIVE CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST

Location: We are currently accepting applications for this role covering London and Essex.
Working Hours: The role is ad-hoc, however, candidates must have availability to commit to a minimum of 40 second opinions per year.
Fees: £220.00 per second opinion. There are also supplements applicable for prioritising urgent SOAD work and for visiting hospitals at greater distances from your home base. Fees and expenses, including mileage, will be payable in accordance with CQC's policies.
Closing Date: 04/01/2026 m

Are you committed to helping us to safeguard patients subject to the Mental Health Act against inappropriate treatments? When thinking about what drives you every day in your job, what keeps you motivated and passionate about your work what comes to mind? For 3000+ people at the CQC we end each day knowing that we have made a difference to the lives of those most in need in our communities.

We are looking for people who are caring and demonstrate integrity to join with us in our work to protect patients. If you would like to help us make a positive impact in our service for patients within England, then read on.

The role of the Second Opinion Appointed Doctor (SOAD) is a challenging one which demands professional credibility, the ability to question decisions in a non‑adversarial but firm style, and excellent negotiating and inter‑personal skills. It will be necessary for you to be able to place decisions about medicine within the wider context of treatment, and you must be able to balance the interests of the patient against the need for treatment.

The ability to employ independent judgement and to justify decisions in the face of potential external pressures is essential. We are looking for consultant psychiatrists with a demonstrable commitment to a rights‑based approach, in‑depth knowledge and experience of psychiatry in a variety of clinical settings, and considerable experience of working with detained patients. Candidates should have current or recent hands‑on practice in a clinical environment, and should be up to date with current practice, both clinical and non‑clinical, including measures to promote equality of service provision for all patients.

• Interview the patient in private where possible and applicable.
• Understand the patient’s circumstances through reading of relevant documents/records.
• Review the current and proposed treatment plan.
• Talk to two professionals involved in the patient’s medical treatment also known as statutory consultees.
• Seek additional information to inform your decision as appropriate.
• Certify appropriate treatments and record the reasons for this.
• Make decisions on whether treatments are appropriate and issue certificates accordingly, based on independent judgement, taking into consideration clinical rationale, the interests of the patient, and the implementation of the Act and the Code of Practice.
• Carry out second opinions by visiting a hospital or remotely through video or telephone contact. While it is possible and at times necessary to carry out second opinions out of normal working hours, we expect that the majority (85%) of second opinions will occur within weekday daytime.
• Record your decision and its reasons.
• Report to CQC any issues of concern identified when carrying out your work which will be shared with Mental Health Act Reviewers and Inspectors.

Short‑listed candidates will be required to provide a Letter of Endorsement from their employer prior to interview.

• GMC registered with a licence to practice medicine.
• GMC Specialist registration.
• MRCPsych or equivalent qualification recognised by the RCPsych.
• Substantive consultant status in psychiatry for at least three years (appointed via article 14 equivalence or higher training).
• Registered in good standing for CPD.
• S12(2) approved at the point of application (you do not have to maintain this post‑appointment).
• Current or recent hands‑on clinical practice.
• Breadth of psychiatric practice in a variety of settings.
• Experience of working with patients liable…