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

Job Description

A Meaningful Role at the Interface of Physical & Mental Health

Are you a doctor with a strong foundation in psychiatry who thrives in fast-paced acute hospital environments? This liaison psychiatry opportunity offers you the chance to work at the critical intersection between physical and mental healthcare — ensuring that patients admitted for medical or surgical care receive timely, expert mental health assessment and support.

You will join one of the largest liaison psychiatry services in the North East and Cumbria, supporting acute hospital services delivered by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

Although the service spans all age groups, this role has a particular focus on older adults with complex mental health needs within acute hospital settings.

Where You’ll Be Based

This post is primarily located at:

• Darlington Memorial Hospital (433-bed District General Hospital)

The liaison team also works closely with:

• University Hospital of North Durham (533 beds)
• Bishop Auckland General Hospital
• Sedgefield Community Hospital

These sites deliver a full range of emergency, medical, surgical and rehabilitation services, creating a varied and clinically stimulating caseload.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Specialty Doctor in Liaison Psychiatry, you will:

• Provide specialist psychiatric assessment and management for older adults in acute hospital wards and the Emergency Department
• Deliver follow-up clinics for patients previously assessed in ED
• Support ward teams with assessment, treatment planning and safe discharge coordination
• Undertake approximately 15 face-to-face clinical contacts per week (including planned clinics)
• Participate in Mental Health Act (MHA) assessments (around 2 per week on average)
• Offer teaching and training to acute hospital colleagues
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams

While Consultant Old Age Psychiatrists provide senior oversight, you will play a key independent role, with cross-cover responsibilities during consultant absence.

Your Professional Profile

Essential Requirements

• MBBS (or equivalent medical qualification)
• Full registration with a licence to practise from the General Medical Council
• GMC guidance
• Minimum 4 years postgraduate experience, including at least 2 years in core psychiatry training (UK or overseas equivalent)
• Section 12 approval under the Mental Health Act 1983 (or ability to obtain within 6 months)
• Mental Health Act overview
• Active participation in CPD, appraisal and revalidation
• Experience in clinical audit

Desirable

• MRCPsych (or equivalent postgraduate qualification)
• Evidence of research, quality improvement or service development
• Experience managing clinical complexity and diagnostic uncertainty
• Educational achievements, presentations or publications

Governance & Compliance

This role is subject to:

• A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• DBS guidance
• Skilled Worker visa eligibility (where applicable)
• Visa information
• Criminal record checks for overseas applicants
• Overseas checks guidance
• Applicants must hold current UK professional registration. NHS career guidance is available 

About the Trust

Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) is one of the largest specialist mental health and learning disability trusts in England. Serving around two million people across County Durham, Teesside, North Yorkshire, York and Selby, the Trust operates from approximately 100 sites with a workforce of over 6,700 staff.

Recognised as one of the Health Service Journal’s Best 100 Places to Work, TEWV invests heavily in staff wellbeing, professional development and long-term career growth. Psychiatrists play a central role within the Trust’s multidisciplinary model, and medical workforce development is supported through structured leadership and talent initiatives.

Why Consider This Role?

• Work at the forefront of integrated physical and mental healthcare
• Develop expertise in complex liaison psychiatry
• Engage in teaching and service improvement
• Be part of a large, supportive medical directorate
• Contribute to improving patient outcomes across acute settings