Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist – Acute Hospital Liaison Service(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Job Overview

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist to join the Acute Hospital Liaison Service covering Durham and Darlington. This well-established service operates 24/7 and is one of the largest liaison psychiatry services in the North East and Cumbria.

The service supports patients of all ages within acute hospital settings, including emergency departments and inpatient wards. Referrals are triaged to ensure patients are assessed by clinicians with the appropriate expertise. This role will primarily focus on older adults, typically aged 65 and above, though some younger patients with complex needs (e.g., early-onset dementia or frailty) may also be included.

The service meets national targets, including:

Emergency Department referrals seen within 1 hour
Ward referrals seen within 24 hours

Key Responsibilities

• Provide specialist psychiatric assessment, diagnosis, and management for older adults within acute hospital settings
  Deliver follow-up care for patients assessed in emergency departments
  Support ward teams with mental health assessments, treatment planning, and safe discharge arrangements
  Offer expert advice on mental capacity, risk assessment, and complex clinical decision-making
  Contribute to the management of delirium and short-term post-discharge follow-up in the community
  Act as Responsible Clinician for detained patients and participate in Mental Health Act assessments
  Deliver teaching and training to acute hospital staff
  Collaborate with community and inpatient mental health services to ensure continuity of care
  Support service development alongside clinical and operational leaders in line with the Trust’s strategic plans

About the Organisation

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest mental health and learning disability trusts in England, serving approximately 2 million people. The Trust employs around 6,700 staff across 100+ sites and provides a wide range of inpatient and community services.

The organisation is recognised as one of the Health Service Journal’s Best 100 Places to Work and is committed to staff wellbeing, professional development, and service innovation.

Person Specification (Summary)

Essential Requirements:

• Full registration with the General Medical Council with a licence to practise
  Inclusion on (or within 6 months of entry to) the Specialist Register in Old Age Psychiatry
  Approved Clinician status (or ability to obtain within 3 months)
  Section 12 approval under the Mental Health Act (or ability to obtain within 3 months)

MRCPsych qualification

• Strong clinical, communication, and leadership skills
  Ability to manage complex cases using a bio-psycho-social approach

Desirable:

• Experience in liaison psychiatry
  Involvement in research, audit, or service improvement
  Teaching and training experience
  Additional qualifications in education, research, or management

Additional Information

• This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
  Flexible working options may be available
  Applicants must hold valid UK professional registration

Visa Sponsorship & Immigration Guidance

Applications from candidates requiring Skilled Worker visa sponsorship are welcome. 

From April 2017, applicants must provide a criminal record certificate from countries where they have resided for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.