Visa Note
Important: While this employer offers a certificate of sponsorship for UK skilled worker visas, all international applicants must verify their eligibility requirements directly with the employer before applying. Visa eligibility depends on numerous factors including your qualifications, experience, and specific circumstances. The certificate of sponsorship does not guarantee visa approval.
Job Details
Company: University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
Location: Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, SO16 6YD
Job Title: Locum Vitreoretinal Consultant
Salary: £109,725 – £145,478 Pro Rota (depending on experience)
Schedule: Part-time
Employment Type: Fixed term
Contract Duration: 9 months
Reference Number: 188-MB61225
Date Posted: 15 December 2025
Application Deadline: 04 January 2026
Language: English
About the Role
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity for a motivated Locum Consultant Ophthalmologist to join our Vitreoretinal and Medical Retina teams on a fixed-term contract. This role provides essential cover for a VR consultant sabbatical, with additional MR clinic capacity to support service demand. You will be joining one of the region’s busiest Vitreoretinal units and a major Medical Retina hub.
The successful candidate will provide 5 PAs (Programme Activities) of Vitreoretinal activity, including outpatient clinics, VR theatre lists, and participation in the VR oncall rota (1 in 3 weekends / Friday rota pattern alongside 1 in 12 general oncall). Additionally, you’ll deliver 2 PAs of Medical Retina activity, supporting diabetic, AMD and macular clinics to enhance capacity and maintain timely patient pathways.
This position offers an excellent opportunity to work within a highly specialised ophthalmology service that provides 24/7 emergency cover for a wide geographical region. You’ll be performing high-volume retinal detachment and macular surgery, supported by skilled nursing, theatre, and imaging teams. The Medical Retina service treats a wide spectrum of macular and diabetic eye disease and is nationally recognised for high patient volumes, strong multidisciplinary pathways, and excellent clinical outcomes.
Main Responsibilities
Your key responsibilities will include providing 5 PAs of Vitreoretinal activity, including outpatient clinics, VR theatre lists, and participation in the VR oncall rota. You’ll also deliver 2 PAs of Medical Retina activity, supporting diabetic, AMD and macular clinics to enhance capacity and maintain timely patient pathways.
You will undertake clinical administration, MDT decision-making, and effective communication with patients and colleagues across VR and MR services. Additionally, you’ll participate in teaching and supervision of trainees and fellows, clinical governance, audit, and service improvement activities.
The oncall commitments include participation in the VR rota (1 in 3 weekends) and general ophthalmology rota (1 in 12). This post provides nine-month cover for sabbatical leave, with a 7PA structure consisting of 5PA VR + 2PA MR.
About the Team
You will join a large, supportive and highly specialised Ophthalmology service at University Hospital Southampton. The team is home to one of the region’s busiest Vitreoretinal units and a major Medical Retina hub. Our VR service provides 24/7 emergency cover for a wide geographical region, performing high-volume retinal detachment and macular surgery.
The Medical Retina service treats a wide spectrum of macular and diabetic eye disease and is nationally recognised for high patient volumes, strong multidisciplinary pathways, and excellent clinical outcomes. You’ll be working alongside skilled nursing, theatre, and imaging teams in a collaborative environment.
About University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications
MBBS or equivalent medical qualification
GMC registration with a licence to practice
Appropriate knowledge base, and ability to apply sound clinical judgement to problems
Experience in Medical Retina pathways (diabetic eye disease, AMD, macular pathology)
Desirable Qualifications
CT in Ophthalmology with subspecialty fellowship training in Vitreoretinal surgery
Previous experience as Vitreoretinal Consultant (Locum or Substantive)
MD or PhD
Publications in Ophthalmology
Publication in high impact journals
Essential Skills and Experience
Evidence and ability to work effectively in multi-professional teams
Understanding of equality and diversity and how this affects patients, visitors and staff
Evidence and ability to communicate and liaise effectively with patients and colleagues (verbal and written communication skills in English)
Demonstrate good organisational skills including ability to prioritise effectively and meet deadlines
Demonstrate the ability to be calm, compassionate, and able to respond efficiently to various circumstances, which may change rapidly
Evidence of participation in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
Competence in VR emergency and elective care, including retinal detachment and macular surgery
Desirable Skills and Experience
Ability to travel between hospital sites or for necessary patient visits
Strong teamwork, adaptability and commitment to training, audit and safe clinical practice
Living Trust Values
Patients First
Always Improving
Working Together
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website.
For international applicants requiring sponsorship, please follow these steps:
- Verify your eligibility for a UK Skilled Worker visa with the UK Visas and Immigration website
- Prepare your GMC registration documentation if not already registered
- Gather evidence of your medical qualifications and experience
- Prepare criminal record certificates from any countries where you have resided for 12+ months in the past 10 years
- Contact the employer prior to applying to discuss sponsorship details
- Complete your application through the NHS Jobs website, ensuring all sections are thoroughly completed
- Include details of your specific experience in Vitreoretinal and Medical Retina pathways
Additional Information
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and as such 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.
The successful candidate will be employed under the terms and conditions of service for Consultants (England) 2003. Proposed interview date: 14th January 2026. This vacancy closes on or before 29th December 2025.
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. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, please contact:
Name: Serafeim Antonakis
Title: Lead Vitreo Retinal Consultant
Email: [email protected]
Phone: Not provided
Employer Website: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx
Supporting Documents
For an overview of the position, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification document. This includes a detailed breakdown of the key responsibilities, role expectations, and the qualifications we are looking for. It outlines the essential criteria for the role and is designed to support you in preparing your application by helping you evaluate how your skills, experience, and professional background align with the requirements of the role.
Privacy Notice
Please review University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust’s privacy notice for information on how your data will be processed during the recruitment process. Your personal information will be handled in accordance with data protection legislation and only used for recruitment purposes.
Closing Statement
We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalising your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.
We look forward to receiving your application and potentially welcoming you to our team at University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust.
