An exciting opportunity has arisen for 2 Senior Clinical Fellows in Emergency General Surgery (EGS) within University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.
This role is designed for senior trainees seeking to further develop independent decision-making in acute general surgery, alongside a focused interest in acute biliary disease. The post offers a combination of high-level clinical exposure, increasing autonomy, and involvement in service development, within a supportive and dynamic environment.
The successful candidate will gain experience in a high-volume service, including areas of practice available in relatively few centres across the UK (“Hot GB”, Bile duct exploration), providing an excellent platform for progression to a consultant role in EGS and acute biliary surgery.
Applicants should be working towards a Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) or equivalent CESR.
The post-holder will work as part of the Emergency General Surgery service, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team including consultant surgeons, clinical nurse specialists, dietitians, and allied health professionals to deliver high-quality patient care.
The role includes:
Participation in the General Surgery on-call rota
Elective and emergency clinical activity across theatre, ward, and outpatient settings
Cross-site working within the Trust, primarily based at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI), with additional activity at Weston General Hospital and North Bristol Trust
Please note: The role will include weekend working and cross-site commitments.
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, bringing together a combined workforce of over 13,000 staff and over 100 different clinical services across 10 different sites, serving a core population of more than 500,000 people across South West England. UHBW has been rated by the CQC as ‘Good’ overall and our staff are proud to deliver excellent care to the people of Bristol, Weston and beyond. As a forward- thinking multi-award winning Trust and a digital exemplar committed to improving patient care, our world-leading research and innovations are having a positive local and global impact. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. UHBW is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
Clinical Responsabilities
Theatre
Dedicated elective EGS operating sessions
Focus on acute biliary surgery, including hot gallbladders and bile duct exploration
Exposure to a high-volume emergency caseload
Opportunities to develop operative skills with increasing responsibility
Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC)
Senior clinical review within SDEC
Assessment and management of emergency surgical referrals
Participation in ambulatory care pathways and admission avoidance
Outpatient Clinics
Participation in general surgery clinics
Continuity of care for elective and post-acute patients
Opportunity to develop independent clinic practice
Inpatient and On-Call Support
Senior support to the EGS on-call service
Daily ward rounds and multidisciplinary team working
Development of clinical decision-making in acute care settings
Specialist Experience
Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration (CBDE)
The post offers experience within a high-volume bile duct exploration service, with opportunities to develop skills in:
Trans-cystic and choledochotomy techniques
Management of complex biliary stone disease
Use of adjuncts such as lithotripsy
Progressive involvement in bile duct exploration procedures
Acute Biliary Surgery
Exposure to a wide spectrum of acute biliary disease
Management of severe cholecystitis and complex gallbladder pathology
Development of skills in subtotal cholecystectomy and bailout strategies
Clinical decision-making in higher-risk patients
Research, Teaching and Development
The post-holder will have opportunities to:
Contribute to audit, service evaluation, and outcomes data collection
Participate in research and publication activity
Deliver teaching and training within the department
Support course organisation and simulation-based education
Service Development and Leadership
The fellowship includes involvement in service improvement initiatives, with opportunities to:
Contribute to development of SDEC and ambulatory pathways
Support improvements in patient flow and waiting times
Participate in service alignment across Trust sites
Engage in development and evaluation of new models of care
What We Offer
A high-volume, supportive EGS environment
Opportunities to develop skills in acute biliary surgery and bile duct exploration
Exposure to complex emergency general surgery
Involvement in teaching, research, and service development
A strong platform for progression to a consultant post
