Job summary
We are seeking a 12-month fixed-term Locum Paediatric Surgery Consultant to join the dynamic West London Children's Healthcare (WLCH) Paediatric Surgical team. The post is based across Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and St Mary's Hospital, with responsibilities spanning elective general paediatric surgery, neonatal surgery and paediatric trauma management.
The successful candidate will join a forward-looking and supportive surgical department, working with an experienced team of paediatric surgery and urology consultants. The role involves 10 PAs per week, elective clinics and operating lists, attending weeks across both sites, and participation in the full out-of-hours on-call rota at St Mary's.
This post is ideal for a surgeon wishing to further develop their career while contributing to a high-quality, cross-site paediatric surgical service.
Main duties of the job
- Provide specialist paediatric surgical care including prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illness.
- Deliver elective general paediatric surgery clinics and theatre lists across WLCH sites.
- Undertake 12 weeks of acute emergency daytime attending per year (shared between Chelsea & Westminster and St Mary's).
- Participate in full out-of-hours on-call commitments at St Mary's (1 in 5.5) with occasional support to Chelsea & Westminster for emergency foreign body removal.
- Manage neonatal and paediatric surgical admissions, providing specialist support to PICU, Royal Brompton PICU (Chelsea site), haematology services, and the Major Trauma Pathway.
- Provide clinical supervision, teaching, mentorship and induction to junior surgical staff.
- Contribute to clinical governance, audit, research, and education.
- Work closely with neonatal services, supporting and strengthening multi-disciplinary links.
- Participate in the development, planning and administration of paediatric surgical services across WLCH
About us
West London Children's Healthcare (WLCH) was established in April 2022, bringing together paediatric services from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (ICHT) and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CWFT) under a single leadership structure. WLCH operates across multiple sites including Chelsea & Westminster, St Mary's, Hammersmith, and West Middlesex Hospitals, as well as child development centres at Cheyne Centre and Woodfield Road.
WLCH aims to address variations in health outcomes among children and young people in North West London by improving quality, access, systems and processes. The organisation values a thriving, diverse and inclusive workforce and is committed to ongoing improvement through collaboration, shared good practice, and staff empowerment.
As part of WLCH, the post-holder will receive strong support, mentoring and opportunities for career development within an innovative, multi-disciplinary environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
- Provide general paediatric surgery, neonatal surgery and paediatric trauma management.
- Deliver elective clinics and theatre lists across all WLCH sites.
- Manage acute neonatal and paediatric surgical admissions at Chelsea & Westminster, including supporting the Royal Brompton PICU.
- Manage paediatric surgical admissions at St Marys and provide surgical support to PICU, haematology services, and the Major Trauma Pathway.
- Support specific emergency pathways including testicular torsion and priapism in sickle cell disease.
- Provide occasional emergency support at Chelsea & Westminster for foreign body removal (approximately 1 in 16.5 on-calls).
Attending and On-Call Duties
- 12 attending weeks per year split across both sites.
- 1 in 5.5 on-call rota at St Marys covering paediatric surgery, PICU, and major trauma.
- On-call work mostly supports inpatient services and trauma pathways, as most out-of-hours new presentations transfer to Chelsea.
Service Development & Leadership
- Contribute to the ongoing development of paediatric surgical services in partnership with consultant colleagues and service leads.
- Ensure efficient departmental management aligned with operational and strategic plans.
- Foster strong relationships with neonatal, PICU and wider paediatric multidisciplinary teams.
Teaching, Training & Research
- Supervise, teach and mentor junior surgical staff.
- Participate in educational supervision and induction activities.
- Engage in audit, research and clinical governance.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities
- Provide general paediatric surgery, neonatal surgery and paediatric trauma management.
- Deliver elective clinics and theatre lists across all WLCH sites.
- Manage acute neonatal and paediatric surgical admissions at Chelsea & Westminster, including supporting the Royal Brompton PICU.
- Manage paediatric surgical admissions at St Marys and provide surgical support to PICU, haematology services, and the Major Trauma Pathway.
- Support specific emergency pathways including testicular torsion and priapism in sickle cell disease.
- Provide occasional emergency support at Chelsea & Westminster for foreign body removal (approximately 1 in 16.5 on-calls).
Attending and On-Call Duties
- 12 attending weeks per year split across both sites.
- 1 in 5.5 on-call rota at St Marys covering paediatric surgery, PICU, and major trauma.
- On-call work mostly supports inpatient services and trauma pathways, as most out-of-hours new presentations transfer to Chelsea.
Service Development & Leadership
- Contribute to the ongoing development of paediatric surgical services in partnership with consultant colleagues and service leads.
- Ensure efficient departmental management aligned with operational and strategic plans.
- Foster strong relationships with neonatal, PICU and wider paediatric multidisciplinary teams.
Teaching, Training & Research
- Supervise, teach and mentor junior surgical staff.
- Participate in educational supervision and induction activities.
- Engage in audit, research and clinical governance.
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent
- FRCS paediatric surgery or equivalent
- Full GMC registration with license to practice
Relevant Experience in Specialty
Essential
- Substantial clinical experience in paediatric & neonatal surgery
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients
- Experience in managing, and ability to offer clinical opinion on common paediatric and neonatal surgical emergencies
- Experience in percutaneous paediatric vascular access
- Skills in minimal access surgery
- Experience of paediatric urology
Teaching & Training
Essential
- Undergraduate/ postgraduate and formal teaching
- Ability to teach clinical and surgical skills to meet the requirements of doctors in training and nursing staff
Clinical Governance
Essential
- Understanding of clinical governance audit
- Experience of participation in regular clinical audit.
- Level 3 paediatric safeguarding training
Academic/Research Skills
Essential
- Author of peer reviewed publications (First or last author) in the last three years
- Presentation to learned societies
Communication Skills
Essential
- Good written and spoken communication skills in English
Person Specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential
- MBBS or equivalent
- FRCS paediatric surgery or equivalent
- Full GMC registration with license to practice
Relevant Experience in Specialty
Essential
- Substantial clinical experience in paediatric & neonatal surgery
- Ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients
- Experience in managing, and ability to offer clinical opinion on common paediatric and neonatal surgical emergencies
- Experience in percutaneous paediatric vascular access
- Skills in minimal access surgery
- Experience of paediatric urology
Teaching & Training
Essential
- Undergraduate/ postgraduate and formal teaching
- Ability to teach clinical and surgical skills to meet the requirements of doctors in training and nursing staff
Clinical Governance
Essential
- Understanding of clinical governance audit
- Experience of participation in regular clinical audit.
- Level 3 paediatric safeguarding training
Academic/Research Skills
Essential
- Author of peer reviewed publications (First or last author) in the last three years
- Presentation to learned societies
Communication Skills
Essential
- Good written and spoken communication skills in English
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
