Job Overview
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dedicated and experienced Consultant Psychiatrist to join our inpatient team on Austen Ward, located at Hollins Park Hospital in Warrington. This is an exceptional opportunity for international medical professionals seeking to relocate to the United Kingdom with full Certificate of Sponsorship support.
Position Details
We are offering a permanent, full-time Consultant Psychiatrist position on Austen Ward, a 17-bed, all-male general adult inpatient unit. This post has become available following the retirement of our previous Consultant who served the Trust with distinction for over 20 years.
Salary and Benefits Package
The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary ranging from £109,725 to £145,478 per year, plus additional benefits including a 10% Recruitment and Retention allowance (non-contractual) and 1% on-call supplement. This comprehensive package is designed to support international candidates transitioning to the UK healthcare system.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to confirm that we offer Certificate of Sponsorship for this position. We welcome applications from international job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK. All applications will be considered alongside other candidates, and we provide full support throughout the visa application process.
Location and Facilities
The position is based at Hollins Park Hospital in Warrington, located at Hollins Lane, Winwick, Warrington WA2 8WA. Our modern facilities provide excellent working conditions with state-of-the-art equipment and a supportive team environment.
About Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region. We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health, including specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. We are one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
Clinical Responsibilities
The successful candidate will have consultant psychiatrist responsibility for all patients on Austen Ward, carrying out comprehensive psychiatric assessments and providing treatment for inpatients. Key duties include supporting staff to manage psychiatric emergencies, conducting patient reviews, leading multidisciplinary ward reviews, CPA reviews and multi-professional meetings.
Mental Health Act Responsibilities
The post holder will serve as the Responsible Clinician (RC) for the purposes of the Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007) and carry out duties in accordance with the code of practice. This includes providing verbal and written evidence to Mental Health Review Tribunals and Hospital Manager’s hearings.
Risk Assessment and Management
The Consultant Psychiatrist will carry out comprehensive Risk Assessments and participate in Trust’s risk management processes such as Health Risk Assessment and Management and Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangement Meetings.
Medical Leadership
This role requires providing medical leadership to the inpatient team, liaising with carers and families, and maintaining effective communication with other services including in-patient and community mental health teams, and primary care.
Teaching and Training Responsibilities
The successful candidate will provide clinical/educational supervision to junior colleagues, participate in undergraduate and postgraduate clinical teaching, and take part in continuing medical education within statutory limits. Mersey Care has specific links with Liverpool Medical School and Edge Hill University Medical School.
On-Call and Cover Arrangements
The post holder will be included in the daily consultant on-call rota for Mid Mersey. There is usually always a higher trainee ST4-6 as second on call and a CT first on call during weekday evenings & nights and all-day weekends. The on-call availability supplement is 1% – Band B low frequency, low intensity.
Clinical Governance
The Consultant will contribute to clinical governance and responsibility for setting and monitoring standards, participate in clinical audit and other local assurance processes, and participate in service/team evaluation and the planning of future service developments.
Essential Qualifications
Candidates must possess an MB BS or equivalent medical qualification and be fully registered with the GMC with a licence to practise at the time of appointment. Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register OR within six months is required, along with approved clinician status OR ability to achieve within 3 months of appointment.
Essential Experience and Skills
The ideal candidate will have excellent knowledge in specialty, excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge, excellent oral and written communication skills in English, and ability to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty.
Transport Requirements
Candidates must hold and use a valid UK driving license OR provide evidence of proposed alternative transportation arrangements.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted via the NHS Jobs website before the closing date of 01 February 2026. The reference number for this position is 350-MED6792408-E.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, please contact Dr Nanda Dayalan, Clinical Director for Adult Inpatient services, at [email protected] or by phone at 01928247118.
Additional Information
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service Check. 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.
Why Choose Mersey Care?
At Mersey Care, we are passionate about mental health, recovery, and wellbeing. We are committed to delivering the highest standards of care and placing quality and compassion at the heart of everything we do. We support and empower our senior clinicians to lead innovation and drive change, offering exciting opportunities to shape clinical practice and contribute to service development.
Flexible Working
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles, making this an attractive opportunity for international candidates seeking work-life balance while transitioning to the UK healthcare system.
Employer Accreditation
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust holds several accreditations including Apprenticeships, Armed Forces Covenant, CQC Good rating, Disability Confident Employer, MINDFUL employer, Smoke free environment, and Step into Health program.
How to Apply
International candidates are encouraged to apply through the NHS Jobs website. Our recruitment team will provide comprehensive support throughout the application and relocation process, including assistance with visa applications and settlement in the UK.
