Specialty Doctor in Adult Mental Health – Liaison(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Role Overview

An opportunity has arisen for a Specialty Doctor in Adult Mental Health Liaison to join a well-established multidisciplinary team working within acute hospital settings across County Durham and Darlington.

This role focuses on delivering specialist psychiatric assessment and support to patients admitted to general hospitals who are experiencing mental health difficulties alongside physical illness. The successful candidate will play a vital role in improving patient outcomes by integrating mental health expertise within acute medical and surgical services.

The position is primarily based at Darlington Memorial Hospital, while collaborating closely with services across the wider hospital network.

Service Background

The liaison psychiatry service operates across two large district general hospitals:

• University Hospital of North Durham – approximately 533 beds
• Darlington Memorial Hospital – approximately 433 beds
• Additional healthcare services within the network include:
• Bishop Auckland General Hospital – planned surgery and rehabilitation services
• Sedgefield Community Hospital – rehabilitation wards
• Community hospitals in Stanhope and Barnard Castle providing local inpatient care supported by general practitioners.

This liaison service is among the largest in the North East and Cumbria, delivering urgent mental health support within busy acute hospital environments.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Assessment and Patient Care

The Specialty Doctor will provide psychiatric expertise to patients admitted to acute hospitals who present with mental health needs. Responsibilities include:

• Conducting comprehensive mental health assessments for patients referred from emergency departments and hospital wards.
• Supporting the management of individuals with co-existing physical and mental health conditions.
• Developing treatment plans and contributing to safe discharge planning.

Follow-Up and Clinics

The role includes providing follow-up consultations for patients previously assessed in emergency departments. These appointments ensure continuity of care and support recovery following hospital discharge.

The expected clinical workload typically involves approximately 15 face-to-face patient contacts each week, including scheduled follow-up clinics.

Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration

The post holder will work closely with:

• Acute medical and surgical ward teams
• Liaison psychiatry clinicians
• Community mental health services

This collaborative approach helps ensure patients receive coordinated care across different healthcare settings.

Mental Health Act Assessments

The Specialty Doctor will participate in Mental Health Act assessments, with an estimated average of two assessments per week within the acute hospital setting.

The role also requires familiarity with legislation governing the care and treatment of individuals with mental illness, including provisions under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Teaching and Knowledge Sharing

The post holder will support the development of hospital staff by:

• Delivering training sessions on mental health topics
• Contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate education
• Supporting colleagues in the recognition and management of psychiatric conditions in hospital settings.

About the Organisation

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest specialist providers of mental health and learning disability services in England.

The Trust:

• Employs approximately 6,700 staff
• Operates across around 100 clinical sites
• Serves around two million people across County Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York, and Selby.

The organisation is widely recognised for its supportive working culture and has been listed among the Health Service Journal’s Best 100 Places to Work. It places strong emphasis on staff wellbeing, professional development, and career progression through its structured Talent Management framework.

Psychiatrists play a central role within clinical teams, ensuring service users receive safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Applicants must demonstrate the following:

• MBBS or equivalent medical degree
• Full registration with a licence to practise from the General Medical Council
• Minimum four years postgraduate medical experience, including at least two years of psychiatry training
• Approval under Section 12 of the Mental Health Act, or the ability to obtain this within six months of appointment
• Evidence of continuous professional development and participation in annual appraisal

Desirable Qualifications

The following qualifications or experience would be advantageous:

• MRCPsych or equivalent postgraduate psychiatric qualification
• Evidence of research, audit activity, or quality improvement initiatives
• Academic achievements such as publications, presentations, or awards.

Professional Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong clinical skills grounded in the bio-psycho-social model of psychiatric care
• Ability to manage complex clinical situations and diagnostic uncertainty
• Experience contributing to clinical audits or service improvement projects
• Commitment to high standards of patient care and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Regulatory and Employment Requirements

Employment within the NHS requires compliance with national recruitment and legal regulations, including:

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background checks
• Skilled Worker visa information for international applicants
• Criminal record certificates for overseas applicants
• Proof of right to work in the UK
• Information about working and employment rights in the UK

Applicants requiring Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are welcome to apply and will be considered alongside all other candidates.