Consultant Anaesthetist - Work for a leading elective surgery UK provider - Plymouth (up to £15[...]

Opportunity at Pulse Doctors, we are delighted to be working in partnership with a leading independent UK provider of elective care to recruit an experienced, fellowship-trained Consultant Anaesthetist to join their expanding surgical team at their state of the art hospital in Plymouth. The post-holder will be anaesthetising patients for the different procedures this organisation offers at our site in Plymouth – from ophthalmology to orthopaedics, and from gynaecology to general surgery.

Alongside your clinical responsibilities, you'll also have the chance to get involved in the administrative and managerial aspects of the department, and in the development of less experienced colleagues. This is an excellent opportunity for a surgeon seeking a focused elective practice free from emergency on-call commitments, with the support of an experienced anaesthetic team, dedicated scrub staff, and a robust clinical governance framework.

The Treatment Centre is a modern, purpose-built facility on the outskirts of the city centre of Plymouth delivering a high volume of elective surgical procedures to NHS patients of the local population. The Centre operates dedicated orthopaedic theatres, a laminar flow environment, and a well-equipped recovery and physiotherapy unit.

Consultant Job Plan

A typical job plan will comprise of 40 hours of clinical activity per week across 4 days, including Saturdays on occasions, with flexible elements. Five hours for SPA is given per week, but employees are expected to work flexibly where necessary when colleagues are on leave. The annual leave entitlement for senior medical staff is 25 days a year plus bank holidays. Full time or Part Time hours are available.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide consultant-delivered anaesthesia across a range of surgical specialties, including general surgery, orthopaedics, urology, gynaecology, and ENT.
• Participate in the emergency and out-of-hours anaesthetic on-call rota, including cover for obstetric anaesthesia, trauma, and emergency surgery.
• Lead and contribute to pre-operative assessment, ensuring safe and efficient preparation of surgical patients.
• Excellent communication and team-working skills.
• An innovative approach and an eagerness to embrace new ways of working.

Essential Criteria to Apply

• Full registration with the General Medical Council (GMC) with a licence to practise.
• Entry on the GMC Specialist Register in Anaesthetics, or within six months of eligibility at the time of interview.
• FRCA or equivalent specialist qualification.
• Completion of a recognised higher specialist training programme or equivalent.

What's on Offer for You?

• A competitive basic salary of up to £153,000 per annum.
• Shifts pre-planned up to 8 weeks in advance to allow employed Consultants to plan around other commitments.
• Extensive training courses accessible.
• Access to private health insurance.
• 10 days study leave.
• Great development and career progression opportunities.
• An extensive range of wellbeing and lifestyle benefits.
• Flexible shifts that enable you to work around other commitments.
• Applications from outside of the local area are welcome; there is a very generous relocation package available to support you.

Location in Detail

Plymouth is a genuinely liveable city that offers a quality of life that is hard to match elsewhere in the UK at a comparable price point. The combination of coastline, countryside, and urban amenity means residents can be swimming in the sea, walking on Dartmoor, or kayaking in the Sound — all within 30 to 40 minutes of the city centre. The outdoor lifestyle is a huge draw, and Plymouth has a strong culture of sailing, surfing, wild swimming, and coastal walking that permeates everyday life in a way that feels organic rather than touristy.

The food and drink scene has grown considerably in recent years, with the Barbican and surrounding waterfront areas home to a strong independent restaurant culture — fresh seafood is a particular highlight given the city's fishing heritage. There is a genuine community feel to many of Plymouth's neighbourhoods, and areas like Mannamead, Peverell, and Hartley are popular with families for their good schools, green spaces, and village-like atmosphere within easy reach of the city centre.

For those relocating — particularly from London or the South East — the financial difference is significant. Average house prices in Plymouth are a fraction of what you would pay in comparable coastal cities, meaning more space, better quality of life, and far less financial pressure day to day. Transport links are solid, with direct trains to London Paddington taking around three hours, and Exeter — with its airport and motorway connections — less than an hour away.

For consultants and medical professionals in particular, the area offers a rare blend of serious career opportunity at Derriford Hospital, one of the largest teaching hospitals in the UK, alongside a lifestyle that genuinely competes with anywhere in the country.