Visa Note
This position offers a certificate of sponsorship for skilled workers. However, all applicants must verify their eligibility to work in the UK with the employer before applying. The certificate of sponsorship does not guarantee a visa – final approval is subject to UK Visas and Immigration requirements.
Job Summary
We are inviting applications for a Consultant in Palliative Medicine to join our progressive and compassionate team at Ashford & St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This is a pivotal role within a well-established multidisciplinary service, delivering high-quality, patient-centred care across inpatient, outpatient, and advisory settings.
You’ll be the named consultant for our specialist palliative care beds, contribute to strategic leadership in end-of-life care, and play a key role in education, research, and service development. With strong links to local hospices and academic institutions, this is a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of palliative care in North West Surrey.
We’re looking for a GMC-registered consultant with a passion for holistic care, collaborative working, and continuous improvement. In return, we offer a supportive culture, flexible working, and excellent professional development opportunities. This role is particularly suited to international medical professionals seeking to develop their career within the UK’s National Health Service.
INTERVIEWS FOR THIS POST WILL BE HELD IN PERSON ON 29/01/2026, so early application is advised to allow sufficient time for visa processing arrangements if required.
About the Company
Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 410,000 people living in North-West Surrey, parts of Hounslow and beyond. Over 3,700 highly trained doctors, nurses, midwives, therapists, healthcare scientists and other support staff make up our workforce, providing a wide range of services across our two hospital sites, Ashford, Surrey and St Peter’s, Chertsey, Surrey.
We also run many specialist clinics in the community and local community hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Our vision is to be one of the best healthcare Trusts in the country. There has never been a better time to join us in the NHS at ASPH. We are committed to providing continuous professional development and flexibility to shape our workforce around our patient care.
We are expanding our theatres at Ashford Hospital and moving towards this becoming our dedicated elective centre. We want to create a state-of-the-art centre for excellence for planned surgical procedures. The Trust holds several prestigious accreditations including Age Positive, Disability Confident Committed, IWL Practice Plus, and Veteran Aware, demonstrating our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Job Details
Location
The position is based at St Peters Hospital, Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 0PZ. Trust operates across two hospital sites, with this role primarily based at the St Peters site in Chertsey.
Salary
The salary for this position ranges from £105,504 to £139,882 per annum, inclusive of London weighting where applicable. This represents the standard consultant pay scale in the UK NHS.
Contract Type
This is a permanent, full-time position within the NHS hospital medical and dental staff pay scheme.
Working Pattern
The role is full-time, though flexible working arrangements may be considered. Details of the on-call commitment will be discussed during the interview process.
Reference Number
Reference number for this position is 323-MD3966-AM.
Closing Date
The application deadline is 13 December 2025. Please note that adverts may close early, so applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership & Care Delivery
The successful candidate will provide high-quality specialist palliative care across inpatient, outpatient, and advisory services. You will act as the named consultant for patients in the specialist palliative care (SPC) ward, participating in daily medical reviews and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings. The role requires offering prompt clinical opinions to colleagues across specialties.
You will be responsible for developing and implementing individualized care plans, managing complex symptom control, and providing expert palliative care input for patients with life-limiting illnesses. The position also involves providing education and support to ward staff, patients, and families regarding palliative care principles and practice.
Strategic & Service Development
As a senior member of the palliative care team, you will lead on end-of-life care strategy and quality improvement initiatives. The role includes supporting hospital-wide initiatives such as rapid discharge pathways and reducing inappropriate admissions. You will contribute to the development of local and national policy and guidance, including adherence to NICE guidelines.
There are opportunities to develop innovative service models and pathways that improve patient experience and outcomes. You will work closely with local hospices and community services to ensure seamless transitions and continuity of care across different care settings.
Education & Training
A key aspect of this role is delivering teaching and supervision to junior doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals. You will support the development of nurse prescribers and SAS doctors, contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. The Trust has strong links with local medical schools and offers opportunities for formal teaching commitments.
You will lead on the development of the Trust’s palliative care education programme, ensuring that staff across the organisation are equipped to deliver excellent care. There are opportunities to develop educational materials and resources for both clinical and non-clinical staff.
Research & Audit
The postholder will participate in clinical audits, mortality reviews, and national benchmarking (e.g. NACEL). You will engage in research and support recruitment to clinical trials, with opportunities to collaborate with academic institutions to promote evidence-based practice. The Trust has an active research and development department that supports clinical research.
You will be encouraged to develop your research interests, with protected time available for research activities if desired. There are opportunities to present at national and international conferences and to contribute to publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Governance & Professional Development
You will participate in appraisal, job planning, and clinical governance activities, supporting recruitment, mentoring, and development of multidisciplinary staff. The role requires maintaining professional standards and contributing to risk management and patient safety initiatives.
As a GMC-registered consultant, you will be expected to maintain appropriate continuing professional development (CPD) and engage in relevant educational activities to maintain your skills and knowledge. The Trust has a robust appraisal and development process to support your professional growth.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential: Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (or CCT) within 5 months of taking up the post or be accredited for inclusion on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register. Fully registered with the General Medical Council.
Desirable: Higher degree or equivalent in palliative medicine or related field. Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (UK) or equivalent.
Experience
Essential: Highly skilled in the management and treatment of palliative patients. Ability to manage competing demands in a busy acute environment and cope and manage own emotions under stress. Ability to empathise with patients and their families and to treat them with compassion and sensitivity.
Desirable: Previous experience in a UK NHS setting. Experience in developing and implementing palliative care services and pathways. Experience in medical education and training.
Management Skills
Essential: Evidence of previous active participation in leadership and management activities. Understanding of NHS policy and delivery of national performance targets (including hospital acquired infections). Experience of managing budgets and staff.
Desirable: Experience in service development and reconfiguration. Experience in research governance and methodology. Experience in managing junior medical staff.
Benefits and Support
Ashford & St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers a comprehensive benefits package including an excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement. We have on-site nurseries, staff cafes, and parking facilities available. The Trust is committed to supporting your career development through various training opportunities and flexible working arrangements.
We offer a full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition, we provide salary sacrifice schemes including wage stream, lease cars, Cycle to Work schemes and home electronics. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer and is proud to hold several accreditations demonstrating our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
For international candidates, we provide dedicated support to help with relocation, including assistance with the certificate of sponsorship process, advice on UK registration requirements, and guidance on settling in the UK. We understand the challenges of relocating to a new country and are committed to making your transition as smooth as possible.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and search for reference number 323-MD3966-AM. Complete the online application form, ensuring you upload your current CV and a supporting statement that addresses the person specification criteria.
For international applicants, we recommend the following checklist:
- Verify your eligibility with the employer before applying
- Prepare documentation confirming your medical qualifications and GMC registration
- Obtain any required language proficiency certificates (if English is not your first language)
- Be prepared to undergo the necessary criminal record checks for all countries where you have lived for 12 months or more in the past 10 years
- Contact the recruitment team at [email protected] or 01932876422 with any questions about the application process or visa sponsorship
Additional Information
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and 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. 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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website. The Trust is committed to providing a safe environment for patients and staff, and all appointments are subject to satisfactory references and occupational health clearance.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, please contact:
Thomas Tabalina-Alderson
Service Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01932876422
For more information about a career at Ashford & St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, please visit: www.asph-careers.org
The Trust’s privacy notice can be found at: https://www.ashfordstpeters.nhs.uk/privacy-notice-for-your-information
Equal Opportunities
Ashford & St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We are committed to ensuring that our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.
The Trust holds several prestigious accreditations including Age Positive, Disability Confident Committed, IWL Practice Plus, MINDFUL employer, Pastoral Care Quality Award, Positive about disability, Smoke free, Step into Health, and Veteran Aware, demonstrating our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
