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- Tasks: Join our team to provide psychiatric care for older patients in a supportive hospital environment.
- Company: NHS Lothian is dedicated to equality, diversity, and exceptional healthcare for all.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for professional development and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the lives of older adults while working in a dynamic team.
- Qualifications: Must have GMC Registration and relevant specialist training in Old Age Psychiatry.
- Other info: Applications close on 29/09/2025; late submissions won't be accepted.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 100000 £ per year.
Overview
Consultant in Old Age Liaison Psychiatry — St John’s Hospital. Reference – 225724.
Equality and Diversity
NHS Lothian is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. NHS Lothian welcomes applications from all sections of society. We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.
Qualifications
Applicants must have full GMC Registration, a license to practise and eligible for inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register. Those trained in the UK should have evidence of higher specialist training leading to CCT or be within 6 months of confirmed entry from the date of interview. Portfolio Pathway (formerly known as CESR – Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration) route doctors are only eligible to apply for a substantive consultant post once it has been awarded. Non-UK applicants must demonstrate equivalent training.
Position details
Applications are welcome for the above Permanent, full-time (40 hours per week) post based in St John’s Hospital. This is a full-time 10-session post working as part of the Older Adult Psychiatry team to provide liaison psychiatry to patients who are over 65 in medical and surgical wards at St John’s Hospital (6 sessions) and provide consultant psychiatrist cover to two HBCCC wards for dementia care (2 sessions).
Role structure and responsibilities
- The post is a 10-session post. This is a chance to be part of a well-established team at a time of positive development. 7 sessions will be old age psychiatric liaison work, covering inpatients across the medical and surgical wards at St John\’s Hospital. There are occasional referrals from the medical HBCCC ward at Tippethill Hospital, based around 8 miles away (one of our dementia HBCCC wards is also in this hospital). 2 sessions will be HBCCC and 1 SPA sessions.
- There will be joint meetings with the general adult liaison staff and nurses. St John’s hospital is a small district general hospital, and we already have good links with the consultant geriatricians who are supportive to our service. There is opportunity in this role to develop the old age liaison service, with potential to design new policies, guidelines, or teaching for the general hospital.
- The post holder will be expected to assess and manage mental health on the medical and surgical wards with the support of liaison nurses. They will be expected to attend some MDT meetings on the wards and liaise with families when appropriate. They will be expected to use the Mental Health Act, Adult with Incapacity Act and also support other specialties with complex capacity assessments.
- There will also be 2 sessions to cover the HBCCC dementia wards in West Lothian. At present this provides care for around 22 patients. These wards are based off site – one in Craigmair building (based in Livingston) and another in Tippethill Hospital (based in between Armadale and Whitburn). The service currently provides fortnightly consultant input into these wards. There is GP cover in these wards as well as psychiatric nurses and OT. The post holder will be required to review patients, form management plans, use the Mental Health Act, attend ward rounds, attend family meetings, and contribute to discharge planning. Patients on these wards are usually assessed in ward 3 (the acute old age psychiatry ward) for several weeks before moving to the HBCCC wards.
- There will be regular teaching available to the post holder, including psychiatric departmental teaching, medical departmental teaching, case conference and regional old age psychiatry teaching.
- More detailed departmental and specialty information can be found in the job description available via contact below.
- For an informal discussion please contact: Dr Louise Mowatt, Consultant Psychiatrist/Clinical Director
- 01506 523771
- louise.mowatt@nhs.scot
- Dr Suzanne Roscrow, Consultant Psychiatrist in Old Age Psychiatry
- 01506 523759
- suzanne.roscrow@nhs.scot
- If viewing from an external site, visit https://apply.jobs.scot.nhs.uk for the job pack detailing the minimum requirements and how to apply.
- We cannot accept CVs as a form of application and only a completed online application form will be accepted. Personal information will not be sent with the application for shortlisting. The application form will be identified by the candidate number only to ensure that all applicants are treated equally.
- Closing Date: 29/09/2025
- Please note: Late applications will not be accepted.
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Consultant in Old Age Liaison Psychiatry - 225724 PM employer: NHS National Services Scotland
Contact Detail:
NHS National Services Scotland Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Consultant in Old Age Liaison Psychiatry - 225724 PM
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific requirements for the Consultant in Old Age Liaison Psychiatry role. Understanding the nuances of the Mental Health Act and the Adult with Incapacity Act will be crucial, as these are key components of the job.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees in similar roles at St John’s Hospital. They can provide valuable insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) and how you've contributed to patient care in previous roles. Highlighting your collaborative skills will demonstrate your fit for the team-oriented environment at St John’s.
✨Tip Number 4
Consider reaching out to Dr Louise Mowatt or Dr Suzanne Roscrow for an informal chat about the role. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also gives you a chance to ask questions that could set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Consultant in Old Age Liaison Psychiatry - 225724 PM
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure to thoroughly read the job description for the Consultant in Old Age Liaison Psychiatry position. Understand the responsibilities and qualifications required, as this will help you tailor your application effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise any relevant experience you have in old age psychiatry or similar fields. Be specific about your roles, responsibilities, and achievements that align with the job requirements.
Demonstrate Commitment to Equality and Diversity: NHS Lothian values equality and diversity. In your application, mention any experiences or initiatives you've been involved in that demonstrate your commitment to these principles, especially in a healthcare setting.
Follow Application Guidelines: Ensure you complete the online application form as specified. Remember, CVs are not accepted, so focus on providing detailed and relevant information in the application form itself. Double-check for any specific instructions regarding documentation or submission.
How to prepare for a job interview at NHS National Services Scotland
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Consultant in Old Age Liaison Psychiatry. Familiarise yourself with the specific duties mentioned in the job description, such as working with patients over 65 and collaborating with other healthcare professionals.
✨Showcase Your Qualifications
Be prepared to discuss your qualifications, especially your GMC registration and any relevant training. Highlight your experience in old age psychiatry and how it aligns with the requirements of the role.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
Since this position involves working as part of a well-established team, be ready to provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in previous roles. Emphasise your ability to work within multidisciplinary teams.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your clinical judgement and decision-making skills. Think about past experiences where you had to use the Mental Health Act or manage complex capacity assessments, and be ready to discuss these in detail.
