Important Visa Information
Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust welcomes applications from international candidates and offers a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible candidates. However, applicants must verify their visa/work permit eligibility directly with the employer. Immigration requirements can change, and we strongly recommend confirming your specific eligibility before applying.
Job Details
Company: Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Location: Whitlingham Ward, Hellesdon Hospital, Drayton High Road, Norwich, NR6 5BE
Salary: £109,725 to £145,478 a year gross per annum
Working Pattern: Full-time, Part-time
Contract Type: Permanent
Language: English
Application Deadline: 15 December 2025
Reference Number: 246-MSEC7347834-B
Certificate of Sponsorship: Available for eligible candidates
About the Role
We are seeking an ambitious and innovative Consultant Psychiatrist to join our women’s secure inpatient service based in Norwich. This is an exciting opportunity to provide clinical care and leadership for Whitlingham Ward, our women’s low and medium secure inpatient ward. The role has arisen due to the previous post holder leaving, offering the successful candidate a chance to shape and develop this important service.
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is the main provider of specialist mental health, psychological therapies, drugs and alcohol, and learning disability services for the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. Our Secure and Forensic Services are rated as Good by the CQC, reflecting our commitment to high-quality care.
Norfolk is a rural county with much of the countryside given over to farming. The county town is Norwich, which is home to the University of East Anglia and serves as the county’s main business and culture centre. This provides an excellent work-life balance with access to both countryside and urban amenities.
What We Offer
All of our substantive Consultant vacancies attract a generous ‘New Starter’ package of £15,000 spread over 3 years as a recruitment bonus. Additionally, all new starters receive up to £12,000 in relocation expenses to help with your move to Norfolk.
We are committed to your professional development, with CPD being paid at the higher level of £2,000 per annum. You’ll also have the facility to accumulate annual funding for up to three years to accommodate accessing higher cost development opportunities.
Our ‘Holiday of a Lifetime scheme’ allows Consultants and Specialty Doctors to bank/accrue annual leave over a period of up to 5 years, facilitating an extended period of leave. This unique scheme enables you to plan a truly memorable holiday or take an extended paid break when needed.
We provide comprehensive benefits including access to an £800 per annum professional development budget, dedicated SPA time of up to 25% of working hours, and paid study leave (on application and approval) in addition to CPD. There’s also the potential for an extra PA for DCC with requisite pay per PA.
Additional Benefits
As a valued member of our team, you’ll have the ability to apply for Clinical Excellence Awards and be included on the Consultant on-call rota for the higher level with 3%, 5% or 8% requisite pay depending on frequency.
We offer a comprehensive NHS benefits package including a contributory pension, redundancy provisions, and generous leave entitlements including paid annual leave, sick leave, and maternity leave.
All appraisals and revalidation requirements are completed by the Trust, reducing your administrative burden and allowing you to focus on patient care and professional development.
The Trust is committed to supporting your career progression, whether that’s talking at international conferences, pursuing additional areas of study and research, or developing your leadership skills to become one of the leaders of the future.
Main Duties of the Job
Our Forensic Mental Health Services comprise low and medium secure inpatient services, community forensic services, and criminal justice liaison services for both counties, as well as inpatient low secure services for the residents of Norfolk.
The successful candidate will provide clinical care and leadership for Whitlingham Ward, our women’s low and medium secure inpatient ward. This includes responsibility for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with complex mental health needs within a secure setting.
You will work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams to develop and implement care plans, ensuring the highest standards of clinical care while maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment for patients and staff.
The role also involves contributing to service development and improvement initiatives, as well as participating in on-call duties as required according to the rota system.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential:
- Entry on the GMC Register
- Approved Clinician Status
- Section 12(2) Approved under the Mental Health Act
- Specialist Register or within 6 months of CCST
Experience
Essential:
- 3 years or equivalent medical experience
- 6 months experience in relevant clinical area
- Evidence of knowledge of diagnosis, treatment + management of complex mental illness
Clinical Governance
Essential:
- A clear understanding of Clinical Governance
- Demonstrate a commitment to open review of practice
Teaching
Essential:
- Experience of supervising junior medical staff
- Teaching and presentation skills
Attributes
Essential:
- Effective team working
- Leadership qualities
- Flexibility
- Driving license/able to travel independently
- Research experience
About Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest mental health and learning disability trusts in England, providing specialist services to a population of over 1.2 million people across Norfolk and Suffolk.
We are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate care to our service users and their families. Our Secure and Forensic Services are rated as Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), demonstrating our commitment to excellence in patient care.
The Trust values diversity and inclusion and is committed to creating a workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their background.
We offer a supportive working environment with opportunities for professional development, career progression, and research. Our commitment to staff wellbeing is demonstrated through our comprehensive benefits package and supportive management culture.
Equal Opportunities
The Trust is committed to equality of opportunity and diversity in employment. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age.
All appointments are subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required for this post.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can reach their full potential. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled candidates throughout the recruitment process.
The Trust has a zero tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment, and bullying. All employees are expected to uphold our values of respect, dignity, and compassion in their daily work.
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website
For international applicants, we recommend the following steps:
- Verify your eligibility for UK work authorization with the employer before applying
- Prepare your GMC registration documentation
- Gather evidence of your qualifications and experience
- Obtain any required criminal record certificates from countries where you have lived
- Contact Dr Sarah Maxwell (Medical Director) at [email protected] with any questions about the role or application process
The application process requires you to complete an online application form through the NHS Jobs website. Please ensure all sections are completed thoroughly, paying particular attention to the person specification requirements.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview, which may include a presentation and assessment of clinical skills. The interview panel will include senior clinicians and managers from the Forensic Mental Health Service.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact:
Name: Dr Sarah Maxwell
Title: Medical Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: Not provided
Employer Website: https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
Supporting Documents
The full job description and person specification are available as supporting documents. You can download the Consultant Psych JD – Whitlingham Ward.pdf (PDF, 856 KB) from the NHS Jobs website when applying for this position.
We recommend reviewing these documents carefully before submitting your application to ensure you understand all aspects of the role and our expectations.
Additional information about working in the NHS and relocating to the UK can be found on the NHS Careers website and UK Visas and Immigration website.
The Trust’s privacy notice provides information about how your data will be used during the recruitment process. You can access this notice at https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Privacy-Policy.aspx.
Further Information
Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
The Trust is a smoke-free organization, and smoking is not permitted on any of our sites. We support our employees in maintaining healthy lifestyles and offer various wellbeing initiatives.
We offer a comprehensive induction program for all new employees, which includes orientation to the Trust, local services, and specific training for the role. This ensures you have the support needed to succeed in your position.
For international candidates coming to work in the UK, we can provide information on local housing, schools, and other services to help you settle into your new role and community. Please contact HR for assistance with relocation queries.
