Visa Note
Important notice for international applicants: While this employer offers a certificate of sponsorship, you must verify your visa eligibility directly with the employer before applying. Due to changes in UK immigration policy, individuals requiring a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa may not be eligible if the UKVI salary threshold is not met or if the occupation is not included in the updated Immigration Salary List (ISL). Always check your eligibility status with the employer prior to completing an application.
Job Overview
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dynamic and forward-thinking Locum Consultant in Stroke Medicine to join their established team. This is an excellent opportunity for international medical professionals to contribute to high-quality stroke care in the UK while receiving sponsorship. The Trust has approximately 700 patients annually with a discharge diagnosis of stroke and operates a Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) at Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle.
Company Information
North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust was established on 1st October 2019 with the ambition to deliver outstanding hospital and health services to half a million people. The Trust is creating a centre of excellence in providing rural and remote healthcare and delivers a wide range of community and acute services throughout north Cumbria and beyond. They are responsible for delivering over 70 services across 15 main locations and employ more than 6,500 members of staff.
Key Principles
The Trust operates under five key principles that demonstrate their commitment to ‘safe, high quality care every time’: being a clinically led organisation, quality and safety at the heart, a positive patient experience every time, being a great place to work, and managing money well. As an organisation, they are serious about supporting a diverse workforce that reflects their local community and are focused on being an inclusive and compassionate place to work.
Department Details
The Trust’s Stroke Department falls under the remit of the Speciality Medicine Collaborative in the Directorate of Elderly Care, Stroke and Rehabilitation. Approximately 20 patients per week are seen in the Neurovascular clinic at Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle (CIC). The Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) comprises a 10-bedded unit at CIC, with 25 acute and rehabilitation beds and a further 15 acute and rehabilitation beds at WCH.
Service Model
The Trust operates a 7-day service model that allows the delivery of 7-day stroke/TIA clinics, which rapidly speeds up diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. This integrated pathway into community services provides comprehensive care for patients across North Cumbria. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to contribute to the further establishment of this high-quality stroke service.
Job Responsibilities
We are looking to appoint Consultant Physicians with a special interest in Stroke Medicine to complete a team of six (including new appointments) within the Trust covering North Cumbria. The Directorate welcomes applications from existing and newly trained Consultants on both full and part-time bases. This is an opportunity to join an organisation where Clinicians are at the forefront of management.
Additional Specialist Interests
The Trust is open to candidates with additional specialist interests in Elderly Care, Neurology, Pharmacology or Acute Medicine, indicating flexibility in their approach to healthcare delivery. Appraisal and Job Planning is carried out at regular intervals, with results forwarded to the specialty lead, ensuring professional development and accountability.
Person Specification – Qualifications
Essential qualifications include valid Full Registration with the General Medical Council, Membership of the Royal College Physicians or equivalent, and entry on the GMC Specialist Register via Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR), or European Community Rights. Desirable qualifications include postgraduate qualifications, though these are not required for the position.
Person Specification – Experience
The essential requirement is a high level of clinical experience and competence in Stroke medicine. Desirable experience includes business planning, commitment to and experience of teaching, and an interest in developing links with Acute Medicine or Primary Care. This blend of clinical and managerial experience is highly valued in this role.
Person Specification – Research and Training
Essential requirements include the ability to apply research outcomes to clinical problems, experience teaching undergraduates and postgraduates, and commitment to continuing medical education, appraisal and clinical governance. Desirable aspects include publications in peer-reviewed journals, ability to supervise postgraduate research, teaching non-medical health professionals, and educational qualifications.
Person Specification – Skills and Knowledge
Essential skills include excellent communication skills with patients, colleagues, managers and other staff, ability to organise workload efficiently, empathetic and sensitive approach to patient needs, and ability to take full and independent responsibility for clinical care of patients. Desirable skills include proven track record in undertaking research projects.
Person Specification – Personality
Essential personality traits include being approachable and effective, being a multidisciplinary team member with excellent/highly effective interpersonal skills, ability to influence and negotiate, and having a positive approach to lessons learnt. Desirable traits include willingness to undertake additional professional responsibilities at local, regional and national levels.
Person Specification – Personal Circumstances
Essential requirements include being able to be based within 30 minutes of the base hospital, ability to travel to fulfil the requirements of the post, and participation in on call and emergency cover. These requirements ensure that the successful candidate can effectively respond to the needs of the service and provide timely care to patients.
Benefits Package
NCIC offers a comprehensive benefits package to successful future employees, including a 27-day holiday scheme rising to 33 after 10 years, flexible working scheme, NHS discounts, salary sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work, excellent opportunities for development, competitive NHS pension scheme, and Vivup – a free, confidential counselling and information service to assist with personal or work-related problems.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate through salary deduction, with Standard Checks costing £27.40 and Enhanced Checks costing £55.40, both deductible over a 4-month period or as a one-off payment.
Relocation Assistance
Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts. Candidates are encouraged to review the Trust’s policy for eligible vacancies to understand what relocation support might be available. This demonstrates the Trust’s commitment to attracting talent from across the UK and internationally.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please use the NHS Jobs website as specified in the application instructions. International applicants should follow this checklist before applying:
- Verify your eligibility for UK sponsorship with the employer
- Prepare required documents including CV, proof of GMC registration, qualifications, and experience certificates
- Obtain criminal record certificates from any countries where you have resided for 12+ months in the past 10 years
- Contact Kayleigh Richardson (Deputy Service Manager) with preliminary questions about the role and sponsorship
- Ensure your application clearly documents evidence of meeting all essential criteria
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact Kayleigh Richardson (Deputy Service Manager) via email at [email protected] or by phone at 07811714169. The Trust encourages applicants to contact them directly with any queries regarding the position, application process, or sponsorship eligibility before submitting their application.
Application Deadline
The closing date for applications is 07 January 2026. However, if sufficient response is received, this post could be closed earlier than the specified closing date. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered. Candidates who have been successfully shortlisted for interview will typically be notified within 2 weeks of the closing date.
Employer Website
For more information about North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, visit their website at https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/. The website provides comprehensive details about the Trust’s services, values, and working environment, which may be helpful for international candidates considering relocation to the UK.
Important Information for Applicants
Please ensure that you document evidence of meeting all the essential criteria in your supporting information. Incomplete applications may not be considered. The Trust is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age.
