Job Overview
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust presents an exceptional opportunity for a General Adult Consultant Psychiatrist to join our dedicated team in East Sussex. This permanent, full-time position is based at Amberley Ward, currently located at the Department of Psychiatry Eastbourne, with an exciting transition planned to a brand-new state-of-the-art 54-bed hospital in Bexhill. This role offers a unique chance to work in a modern healthcare environment while providing specialized care to female adults requiring inpatient mental health treatment.
Enhanced Recruitment and Retention Package
This position comes with an attractive Recruitment and Retention payment of £45,000 structured over a three-year period. The payment schedule includes £15,000 payable upon successful recruitment, followed by £10,000 payments at 12, 24, and 36 months of service. This enhanced package demonstrates our commitment to attracting and retaining top-tier psychiatric talent within our organization.
Certificate of Sponsorship Available
We are pleased to confirm that Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust offers Certificate of Sponsorship for international applicants who require skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK. Applications from job seekers requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. This represents an excellent opportunity for qualified psychiatrists worldwide to relocate and build their careers within the UK’s renowned National Health Service.
Salary and Benefits
The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary ranging from £109,725 to £145,478 per annum, depending on experience. This position falls under the Hospital Medical and Dental Staff pay scheme at Consultant grade. Additional benefits include comprehensive NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave entitlement, and opportunities for continuous professional development within a supportive academic environment.
Location and Facilities
The role is based at Eastbourne District General Hospital, King’s Drive, Eastbourne BN21 2UD, with future relocation planned to the new Combe Valley mental health hospital in Bexhill. This brand-new facility represents a significant investment in mental health services, featuring modern amenities and cutting-edge treatment environments designed to provide optimal patient care.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
As a Consultant Psychiatrist, you will provide specialist medical and psychiatric assessment and treatment, including physical investigations of patients when appropriate. You will offer senior medical leadership to the ward multidisciplinary team and take the lead in managing complex cases. Your responsibilities will include providing specialist medical advice and consultation to health and social care staff, promoting effective delivery of person-centered mental health care.
Clinical Leadership
You will provide leadership and clinical supervision to SAS Doctors and Resident Doctors, ensuring they operate within Working Time Directive parameters. The role requires completion of appropriate Mental Health Act assessments, related medical documentation, and Mental Health Tribunal reports. You will operate within professional codes of conduct, guidelines, policies, and relevant legislation while providing cover for Approved Clinician work to colleagues in the acute pathway.
Administrative Duties
The position involves managing, appraising, and supervising medical staff in accordance with Trust policies. You will undertake administrative duties associated with patient care, accurately record clinical activity, and submit information promptly to the Information Department. Participation in service and business planning activities for the locality and wider mental health service is expected.
About Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is a large NHS organization providing specialist mental health and learning disability services across Southeast England. We care for people at home, through community services, and in hospital settings, serving individuals of all ages across Sussex. Our services extend to specialist mental health care for children and young people in Hampshire.
Organizational Values
Improving quality of life for the communities we serve is fundamental to our mission. Our values form the basis of how we behave and how we want people to experience Sussex Partnership, whether as service users, partners, or employees. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports professional growth.
Person Specification: Essential Qualifications
Applicants must hold MBBS or equivalent medical qualification and be fully registered with the GMC with a license to practice at the time of appointment. Candidates must be on the GMC specialist register or will be within 6 months of appointment. Approved Clinician status or the ability to achieve this within 3 months of appointment is essential, along with maintaining good standing with the GMC regarding warnings and conditions on practice.
Transport Requirements
Essential transport requirements include holding and using a valid UK driving license or providing evidence of proposed alternative arrangements. This ensures the ability to fulfill all clinical responsibilities across our service locations.
Clinical Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent knowledge in specialty areas and possess excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspectives with wide medical knowledge. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are essential for effective patient care and multidisciplinary team collaboration.
Desirable Experience
While not essential, a wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to the post within the NHS or comparable service is desirable. This additional experience will enhance the candidate’s ability to manage complex cases and contribute to service development.
Academic Skills and Lifelong Learning
Essential academic requirements include the ability to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching or training, demonstrated ability to work in and lead teams, and commitment to shared leadership and collaborative working for service improvement. Participation in continuous professional development, research, or service evaluation is required.
Additional Desirable Qualifications
Desirable attributes include the ability to plan and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching relevant to the post, reflection on CPD purpose, experience in clinical research and service evaluation, evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement, and experience leading clinical audits resulting in service change or improved patient outcomes.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted via the NHS Jobs website before the closing date of 09 October 2025. The reference number for this position is 354-AE-21145-A. For further information about the Recruitment and Retention Payment and/or Relocation Allowance, please contact our Medical HR Team via [email protected].
Contact Information
For questions about the job, please contact Richard Hoile, Lead Consultant Psychiatrist, at [email protected]. We encourage potential applicants to reach out with any questions regarding the role, relocation process, or sponsorship requirements.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for previous criminal convictions. International applicants should note that from 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants must present criminal record certificates from each country resided in continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
UK Professional Registration
All applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website. International health professionals should review the specific requirements for overseas applicants seeking to work within the UK healthcare system.
Why Choose Sussex Partnership?
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust holds multiple 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, Gold, Silver and Standard, IWL Practice Plus, MINDFUL employer, Smoke free, Step into Health, and Veteran Aware. These accreditations demonstrate our commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive, and progressive working environment.
Relocation Support
We understand that relocation can be challenging, especially for international applicants. Our Trust provides comprehensive support for successful candidates, including assistance with visa applications, accommodation guidance, and integration into the local community. Eastbourne offers excellent quality of life with beautiful coastal surroundings, excellent schools, and vibrant cultural activities.
Professional Development Opportunities
We are committed to supporting your continuous professional development through our internal CPD programme, including lectures and seminars. You will participate annually in job plan reviews with clinical managers to ensure your role develops in line with service configuration changes and modernization initiatives. The Trust encourages research participation and provides opportunities for academic advancement.
Join Our Team
This represents an exceptional opportunity for Consultant Psychiatrists seeking to advance their careers within a progressive NHS Foundation Trust. With our enhanced recruitment package, Certificate of Sponsorship availability, and commitment to professional development, we offer an ideal environment for both UK-based and international psychiatrists to thrive. We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you to our dedicated team in East Sussex.
