Locum Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Watford

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking to appoint a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology on a 6-month fixed term basis to support and strengthen the delivery of high-quality women’s health services across the Trust. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced obstetrician and gynaecologist with strong generalist skills to work within one of the largest Women’s Service Departments in the South East of England region. The successful applicant will join a supportive forward-looking consultant body delivering elective and emergency obstetrics and gynaecology care across the acute and community settings.

The post-holder will contribute fully to obstetrics and gynaecology activity, including labour ward, emergency gynaecology, elective theatre lists, outpatient clinics, and resident on-call commitments. The role includes significant opportunities for clinical leadership, service development, teaching, governance, and quality improvement.

Main duties of the job

• Provide consultant-level obstetric and gynaecological care, including labour ward/delivery suite, antenatal clinics, day assessment and Caesarean section lists.
• Participate fully in the resident obstetric on-call rota, including alternate-week resident nights, weekend consultant cover and bank holidays.
• Provide senior clinical leadership and decision-making, ensuring safe, effective, compassionate and high-quality patient care.
• Support the supervision, education and development of junior doctors, including acting as an Educational Supervisor and contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
• Participate actively in clinical governance, audit, incident review and quality improvement, supporting continuous improvements in patient safety and service quality.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, managers, midwives and community colleagues, including participation in MDT meetings.
• Contribute to service development, departmental management and service planning, supporting local and national priorities.
• Undertake appropriate administrative responsibilities, including supporting junior staff rotas, leave arrangements and the effective functioning of the department.

Working for our organisation

With a new hospital planned for Watford and work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working ever more closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority at West Herts Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. We are a flexible working employer. At West Herts we recognise the importance of a good work-life balance and the ability to work flexibly. We are delighted to offer a variety of flexible working options for all staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder will contribute to a comprehensive obstetrics and gynaecology service, with duties structured around a defined job plan that includes direct clinical care, supporting professional activities, and on-call commitments.

Key responsibilities include:

• Day assessment unit CTG training and Teaching.
• Obstetric risk Labour ward and emergency cover.
• Audit and governance.
• Teaching and training.
• Appraisal and revalidation.
• Research (where applicable).

Person specification

• MBBS or Equivalent.
• Entry onto the GMC Specialist register.
• MRCOG ATSM Advanced Labour Ward Practice.
• Experience in General Obstetrics equivalent to that required for a UK CCT.
• ATSM – High risk pregnancy/ Obstetric medicine/Fetal medicine.
• Previous experience or proven interest in teaching/medical education.
• Formal management training.
• Ability to manage and lead specialist unit, directorate and working parties as appropriate.

You must have appropriate UK professional registration. This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.