Job Overview
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Consultant Psychiatrist to join our Older Adult Inpatient service in Hastings, based at the Conquest Hospital site. This is an exceptional opportunity for international medical professionals seeking to relocate to the United Kingdom, as we offer Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible candidates. You will be joining a mutually supportive, friendly, and enthusiastic team with a genuine passion for providing exceptional mental health care to older adults.
Enhanced Recruitment and Retention Package
This position comes with an enhanced Recruitment and Retention payment of £45,000 structured over a three-year period: £15,000 payable upon successful recruitment, £10,000 at 12 months’ service, £10,000 at 24 months’ service, and £10,000 at 36 months’ service. The payment is pro rata for part-time employees, making this an attractive financial package for relocating professionals.
About Our Service
Our service includes two older adult inpatient wards and a dementia ward within East Sussex, alongside 4 adult wards, crisis and liaison teams. We are a teaching Trust with strong links to Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS). If eligible and approved by the GMC as clinical/educational supervisor, the successful candidate can apply to supervise trainees.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
As a Consultant Psychiatrist, you will be integral for driving change and influencing service development. You will work with a highly specialist multi-disciplinary team to provide in-patient care consisting of a Specialty Doctor, Clinical Psychologists, Nurses, Support Workers, and an Occupational Therapist. The Consultants will provide quality mental health care and treatment for patients with severe and enduring mental illness.
Work Environment and Facilities
You will be based in a friendly team environment with your own office space and access to a locker. You will also have access to a dedicated administrator, ensuring you have the support needed to focus on patient care. The Trust has ambitious aims to continuously improve for the good of our patients and we welcome clinical and non-clinical views to achieve this together.
About Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Sussex Partnership provides mental health and learning disability care for all age groups across Sussex and for children and young people in Hampshire. Our values are to be compassionate, accountable, and optimistic. The Trust has built our future focus 2025-2030 which outlines our vision, purpose, ambitions, and objectives incorporating these values and behaviors.
Location Benefits
East Sussex is situated in the south east of England between the sea and the South Downs with a population of around 549,000. The county offers good access to London and is in close proximity to Gatwick Airport. You’ll be working in a county with areas of outstanding beauty such as the South Downs and 137 miles of coastline, along with exciting cities such as Brighton.
Benefits Package
The Trust offers excellent pension contributions of 23.7%, flexible working opportunities, bespoke flexible job plans, 30 days of study leave over a 3-year period supported by a study leave allowance each year, opportunities to become a medical appraiser, opportunities to become a clinical/educational supervisor, monthly Medical Advisory Committees (MACs) offering peer support, responsibility allowances for specific roles, and a variety of wellbeing support tools.
Salary Information
The position offers a competitive salary range of £109,725 to £145,478 per annum, depending on experience. This is a permanent, full-time position with flexible working options available.
Essential Qualifications
Candidates must possess Basic Medical Training, Full GMC/UK Registration, MRC Psych or equivalent qualification, CST and entry onto the GMC Specialist Register expected within 6 months, Section 12 approval and AC approval. These qualifications are essential for international candidates seeking to practice in the UK.
Essential Experience
Applicants must have broad-based training in psychiatry and experience & training in management of severe mental illness especially in Older people. This experience is crucial for providing the high-quality care our patients deserve.
Certificate of Sponsorship
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. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted via the NHS Jobs website. The closing date for applications is 08 October 2025. Please ensure you meet the essential qualifications and experience requirements before applying.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, please contact Dr Richard Hoile, Lead Psychiatrist For Acute Services, via email at [email protected]. We welcome the opportunity to have a conversation with potential candidates and even arrange a visit to our facilities.
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.
UK Registration Requirements
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website for overseas health professionals.
Employer Details
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is located at St Annes Centre, Conquest Hospital, The Ridge, St Leonards on Sea, TN37 7PT. Visit our website at https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ for more information about our organization.
Accreditations and Awards
Our Trust holds numerous accreditations including Age Positive, Apprenticeships, Armed Forces Covenant, CQC Good rating, Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze, Disability Confident Employer, Happy to Talk Flexible Working, IIP Bronze, IIP Gold, IIP Silver, IIP Standard, IWL Practice Plus, MINDFUL employer, Smoke free, Step into Health, and Veteran Aware.
Supporting Documents
Detailed job description documents are available for download, including “St Raphs Consultant JD.pdf” which provides comprehensive information about the role and responsibilities.
Privacy Notice
Please review Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s privacy notice available on our website for information about how we handle applicant data.
Why Choose Sussex Partnership?
We encourage flexible working and recognize that a positive work/life balance brings huge health-related benefits, which positively impacts the care we provide. We are committed to supporting international candidates through the relocation process and providing a welcoming environment for you and your family.
Living and Working in Sussex
Living and working in Sussex brings many benefits, including stunning countryside and coastlines easily accessible throughout the county, renowned cycle routes and picturesque walks including the famous South Downs Way in the South Downs National Park, excellent transport links providing easy access to London and all main airports, and vibrant cities offering an array of restaurants and bars for social events.
Application Deadline Reminder
Remember to submit your application before the closing date of 08 October 2025. We look forward to receiving applications from qualified psychiatrists who are passionate about older adult mental health care and interested in relocating to the beautiful county of East Sussex.
