We are looking for a dynamic and committed Locum Consultant in Trauma & Orthopaedics with a specialist interest in lower limb surgery to join our high-performing team at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a developing arthroplasty service with a strong focus on collaboration, innovation and high-quality patient care.
You will work alongside an established group of consultants in a supportive, forward-thinking department that values teamwork, open discussion and continuous improvement. The role offers the chance to shape and develop lower limb pathways, with access to complex case discussions through a well-established multidisciplinary team.
This post would suit a motivated and adaptable clinician who enjoys working in a busy trauma unit while contributing to elective service development. In return, we offer a welcoming and inclusive environment, strong peer support, and opportunities to develop your clinical interests within a progressive organisation.
The post-holder will deliver high-quality care across both trauma and elective orthopaedics, with a particular focus on lower limb arthroplasty. You will contribute to a busy trauma rota alongside elective activity, balancing acute care with planned surgical work and outpatient services.
Working within a collaborative and supportive consultant body, you will play an active role in multidisciplinary decision-making, service development and pathway improvement for hip and knee patients. The role also includes supervision, teaching and mentoring of junior doctors and the wider clinical team, alongside participation in audit, governance and continuous improvement.
We are looking for someone who is clinically confident, adaptable and team-oriented, with strong communication skills and a commitment to maintaining high standards of patient care in a dynamic and evolving service.
Our Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
Job Description and Main Responsibilities
This post complements an enthusiastic orthopaedic lower limb arthroplasty service (as part of a wide multispecialty orthopaedic team).
The appointee will be based primarily at Luton and Dunstable Hospital but will undertake some clinical sessions, including outpatient activity, at Bedford Hospital.
The appointee will be encouraged and supported in developing their subspecialty interests in lower limb arthroplasty, with a particular focus on hip and knee revision surgery, within the overall job plan and to improve patient pathways. The post will strengthen the lower limb arthroplasty service, working alongside established consultants and supported by a dedicated orthopaedic team including specialist nurses, surgical care practitioners and middle grade doctors.
The department runs a monthly complex arthroplasty MDT consisting of arthroplasty surgeons, radiologists, microbiologists, specialist nurses, and therapists, supporting the management of complex primary and revision hip and knee cases.
We also work closely with our local community MSK service providers to deliver mentoring of elective referrals and optimise pathways into specialist services.
Main duties and responsibilities include:
Maintenance of the highest clinical standards in the management of all Trauma & Orthopaedic patients, with a specialist focus on lower limb arthroplasty.
To share with colleagues in the Trauma & Orthopaedic Departments the management of trauma and orthopaedic patients requiring admission.
The appointee will perform general on-call and trauma commitments as well as provide specialist input in lower limb arthroplasty and revision surgery.
Teaching and training of intermediate grade and junior medical staff, nursing staff and medical students.
To actively participate in both departmental and Trust matters concerning Clinical Governance and audit.
To have responsibility for and actively participate in continuing professional development (CPD).
Undertake elective outpatient clinics (including some sessions at Bedford Hospital), fracture clinics and virtual fracture clinics.
Undertake regular elective orthopaedic surgical lists in lower limb arthroplasty, including:
Primary hip and knee arthroplasty
Revision hip and knee arthroplasty, including management of aseptic loosening, infection and complex reconstruction
Management of periprosthetic fractures (shared with trauma service as appropriate)
Exposure to complex cases through the departmental MDT structure
Undertake triage and mentoring activities to streamline elective referrals, particularly for hip and knee arthritis and failed arthroplasty cases.
Provide specialist arthroplasty advice and guidance to other specialties for both outpatients and inpatients, accepting referrals where there is a realistic expectation of surgical intervention.
Participate in the monthly complex arthroplasty MDT, contributing to multidisciplinary decision-making for complex and revision cases.
Although based at Luton & Dunstable University Hospital, some clinical sessions (including elective outpatient clinics) will be scheduled at Bedford Hospital, as part of the continued development of joint working across the Trust.
