Locum Consultant in Cardiology - Electrophysiology (EP) and devices in Luton

The appointee will join the Cardiology team in the delivery of comprehensive cardiac services across the Trust. The role will have a specialist focus in cardiac electrophysiology and cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), with responsibility for supporting and developing arrhythmia services across the Trust. The post will be based predominantly at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital (4 days per week), with one day per week at Harefield Hospital to undertake electrophysiology procedures within a tertiary electrophysiology service.

The Cardiology Department at Luton & Dunstable Hospital provides a comprehensive secondary care cardiology service, including inpatient and outpatient management of patients with arrhythmias, syncope, and permanent pacemakers. The candidate will contribute to the implantation of permanent pacemakers at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital with a view to supporting the future development of a comprehensive local complex devices programme (CRT and ICD implantation). During the development phase of the local service, patients requiring complex device implantation (CRT and ICD procedures) will continue to undergo implantation at Harefield Hospital through the established tertiary partnership. The candidate will have an opportunity to undertake complex device implantation at Harefield Hospital.

The main duties and responsibilities of the post include:

• To have a subspecialist interest in cardiac electrophysiology and cardiac devices and to develop services as required.
• To provide specialist arrhythmia and device clinics alongside general cardiology outpatient activity.
• To provide expert assessment and management of patients with atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, syncope and inherited arrhythmia syndromes.
• To support and develop the Trust's cardiac device service, including pacemakers, ICDs, CRT devices and conduction system pacing.
• To contribute to device implantation procedures and support device follow-up pathways in conjunction with cardiac physiologists.
• To undertake electrophysiology activity at Harefield Hospital, including diagnostic electrophysiology studies and catheter ablation procedures.
• To participate in multidisciplinary arrhythmia and device meetings with local and tertiary colleagues.
• To provide specialist electrophysiology and device advice to colleagues throughout the Trust.
• To participate in the provision of a high-quality outpatient service, including patient administration and advice and guidance activity.
• To work collaboratively with tertiary electrophysiology centres to optimise patient pathways and access to specialist treatments.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology.

The appointee will provide specialist outpatient and inpatient care for patients with cardiac rhythm disorders. This will include management of patients with atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, bradyarrhythmias and patients requiring CIEDs. At Harefield Hospital, the appointee will undertake electrophysiology activity within the established tertiary electrophysiology programme. This will include diagnostic electrophysiology studies, catheter ablation procedures and participation in complex arrhythmia management alongside tertiary electrophysiology colleagues.

The successful candidate will complement the consultant capacity at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital to enable an effective and seamless service for cardiology in both inpatient and elective settings. This will include ward rounds, consultant-to-consultant referrals, GP Advice and Guidance, multidisciplinary team meetings and outpatient clinics.

The appointee will contribute to the development and delivery of local arrhythmia pathways and device services to ensure the Trust meets national standards and delivers high-quality patient-centred care. The appointee will participate in the provision of seven-day cover for the Cardiology bed base on a 1:8 rota and out-of-hours on-call commitments. The appointee may be required to work cross-site at Bedford Hospital to provide service support and cross-cover arrangements.