Locum Consultant Paediatric Emergency Department

Locum Consultant Paediatric Emergency Department

This Locum post as consultant in paediatric emergency department is to cover maternity leave and will join a dynamic team to make a team of six Paediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) consultants working in a dedicated Paediatric Emergency Department (PED) with co-located short stay unit (PSSU) at University Hospital Lewisham.

The post holder will take part in a rota of 6 Consultants (5.6 WTE) which will include shop floor supervision and enable smooth running of the PED and governance of the PED. The candidate will provide weekday on call cover on the General Paediatric rota but will provide weekend cover (1 in
6) for the PED on a shift system. Where there is no PEM consultant the General Paediatricians cover gaps during the week and weekends.

The post is for 8 PA with rostered weekend working and weekday on call duties. As such it is ideal for general paediatricians with an interest and experience in paediatric emergency medicine. This post is available from April 2026. The applicants should have CCT (or be within 6 months of CCT) in Paediatrics (RCPCH) or Emergency Medicine (RCEM).

Applicants without PEM or equivalent training

Applicants are encouraged from those are interested in a career in PEM, who have a CCT in Paediatrics and broad experience in acute paediatrics, but do not have equivalent training/experience in PEM.

Responsibility to deliver an acute/ambulatory general paediatric service through the paediatric emergency department

Responsibility to contribute to development of good practice, patient safety and training through

Clinical supervision, education and training

Clinical quality, safety and audit

Clinical leadership and support

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream

Clinical Responsibilities:

Whilst the appointee will be expected to undertake these duties, there will be an emphasis on some, rather than all of these. This emphasis may change over time.

The key role of the consultant on the shop floor is to ensure patient flows are actively managed, using the resources available, and communicating with key staff

Day to day running of the PED when on shift. This includes regular consultant review of patients on PSSU, and supervision of junior medical staff.

Governance of the PED- ensuring results are reviewed including pathology and radiology, clinical guidelines are up to date and being followed

Liaison with Matron and nurse in charge regarding clinical care of patients

Liaison with Paediatric inpatient ward Consultant of the week regarding clinical care of patients, including robust handover

Liaison with all medical and surgical teams that see patients in the ED eg orthopaedics, surgery and ENT

Leading or supervising resuscitation cases including medical and trauma

Educational supervision of PED trainees

Teaching and supervision of medical students

Taking part in a rota to lead and chair the weekly safeguarding MDT

Day to day responsibility for safeguarding when on shift

Development of an audit programme and involvement in QI projects appropriate to PEM

• Medical degree, MBBS or equivalent
• Member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health or equivalent
• Full and Specialist registration (and with a licence to practise) with the General Medical Council (GMC) or be…