Company: Hospice of the Good Shepherd
Location: Chester
Posted: May 4th, 2026
Aligned to the NHS Specialty Doctor Contract2021, pro rata depending on experience and qualifications. Up to 24 hours availablewith an additional on-call commitment as part of a rota.
An exciting opportunity hasarisen for a suitably qualified and enthusiastic Specialty Doctor in PalliativeMedicine to join our team at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd, a busy,multidisciplinary specialist palliative care unit in Chester.
Youwill make a vital contribution to the care of patients and those important tothem, working as part of the multidisciplinary team (including five otherSpecialty Doctors), with senior medical oversight from a Consultant inPalliative Medicine, who also acts as the Responsible Clinician for theHospice. The Hospice medical team provides first on-call out-of-hours cover,with second on-call remote support provided 24/7 by a team of Consultants inPalliative Medicine at Supportive Care UK (SCUK).
Mainresponsibilities include medical care of patients on the inpatient unit,medical input into the Living Well Centre, communication with hospital andcommunity colleagues and attendance at multidisciplinary meetings, as well assupporting clinical audit, research and clinical governance.
We are committed to supporting staff professional development,with opportunities to participate in teaching and quality improvementactivities.
Thisis a unique opportunity for doctors in other specialties who wish to develop orenhance their palliative care knowledge and skills, as well as for doctorsinterested in pursuing a career in Palliative Medicine.
Ifyou are interested in applying for this role you will have
FullGMC registration with a licence to practise
Aminimum of four years postgraduate experience, including at least two years ina relevant specialty
Ademonstrable interest in Palliative Medicine
Experienceof working effectively within a multidisciplinary team
TheHospice has a ten-bedded inpatient unit serving patients with complexpalliative care needs and end-of-life care needs, and a Living Well Centre,which provides day therapy, short courses, complementary therapy, and familysupport services, including social work, counselling, and chaplaincy.
Patientsare referred with a wide range of malignant and non-malignant conditions, atvarious stages of illness. You will join a well-integrated multidisciplinaryteam comprising medical and nursing staff, physiotherapists, occupationaltherapists, social workers, chaplaincy, counselling staff, and complementarytherapists. We work in close partnership with local providers, including theCountess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Cheshire and WirralPartnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), with the Community SpecialistPalliative Care team having a base at the Hospice.
We offer stimulating and rewarding opportunities incaring for people at some of the most challenging times of their lives. Ourstaff really do make a difference every single day and we welcome applicationsfrom passionate, committed, and flexible individuals who would welcome thechance to shape the future care delivered by the Hospice of the Good Shepherd.
Ifyou would like an informal discussion about the post, please contact Dr KateDavie, Consultant in Palliative Medicine (kate.davie@hospicegs.com), or ClaireRoyce, Director of Clinical Services (claire.royce@hospicegs.com).
Clinical Responsibilities
Share responsibility for the day-to-day management of patientson the inpatient unit including initial assessment, management, planning anddaily review.
Participate in regular ward meetings to discuss the care ofpatients on the inpatient unit and those referred to the service.
Participate in relevant clinical meetings as part of the widermulti-disciplinary team.
Ensure close liaison with and support nursing staff and othermembers of the multi-professional team.
Engage in supportive communication about disease and managementwith patients and those important to them.
Participate in the non-resident on-call rota (currently 1weekend in 5, 1 weekday night per week and usually 2 bank holidays per annum).Responsibilities include a ward round each day of the weekend and on bankholidays (currently 10am2pm), followed by availability for telephone adviceand face-to-face assessments at the hospice, if required.
Contribute to the medical care of patients attending the LivingWell Centre.
Provide first on-call support out of hours for hospiceinpatients.
Liaise with the hospital palliative care team, GPs and thecommunity palliative care team regarding patient care.
Participate in the hospice and regional audit programmes, takingthe lead on some projects.
Contribute to all aspects of clinical governance includingclinical incidents and complaints.
Administration Responsibilities
Maintain a high standard of record-keeping via the computerisedmedical notes.
Correspond with GPs, Hospital Consultants and other relevant HealthCare Professionals regarding patients who are under the care of the hospice.
Learning and Development Responsibilities
Contribute to the palliative care education programme forfourth-year medical students from the University of Liverpool who are placed atthe hospice. This will include teaching and work-based assessments.
Provide teaching, education, and training for Hospice Nurses andother Healthcare Professionals as required.
Attendance at integrated education meetings and other relevanteducational activities.
Participation in the supervision and training of junior medicalstaff.
Engage in annual appraisal and progress reviews with your linemanager, agreeing organisational, departmental and personal objectives.
Engage with the annual job planningcycle.
Participate in continuousprofessional development as recommended by the Royal College of Physicians.
Maintain active professionalregistration and a License to Practice with the General Medical Council.
Act in accordance with hospicepolicies and procedures, General Medical Council Code of Professional Conductand other guiding documentation.
NB Studyleave will be available and negotiated in line with service needs.
Terms and Conditions
The contract for this post will be held by the Hospice of theGood Shepherd (in line with National SAS Contract 2021).
NHS pay scales will be used and NHS pension scheme continued (ifalready a member) / or alternative Stakeholder Pension Scheme.
The post holder will be fully registered with the GMC with alicense to practice.
The post holder will fulfil the requirements of annual GMCappraisal and hospice reviews.
The postholder will be a fully subscribed member of a medicaldefense organisation.
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.
Depending on experienceSAS Doctor Pay scale
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