Consultant Stroke Physician(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

Make a Real Difference in Stroke Care Across Somerset

We are seeking a dedicated and forward-thinking Consultant Stroke Physician to join our dynamic and highly collaborative stroke team at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. This is an exciting period of growth as we expand and redesign stroke services countywide — including the launch of a new 12-bed Hyperacute Stroke Unit (HASU) at Musgrove Park Hospital in April 2026.

You will become part of a committed clinical team alongside 8 consultant stroke physicians and 4 specialist doctors, delivering patient-focused stroke care and service transformation.

Role Overview

As a Consultant Stroke Physician, you will be central to providing expert care across the full stroke pathway — from hyperacute and acute care through to rehabilitation:

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily ward rounds on the Hyperacute Stroke Unit (HASU).
• Deliver 24/7 thrombolysis services and support acute stroke interventions in partnership with the ambulance and telemedicine networks.
• Run rapid access TIA (Transient Ischaemic Attack) clinics, focusing on urgent assessment and prevention of recurrent events.
• Provide care at both Musgrove Park Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital stroke units.
• Contribute to early supported discharge and rehabilitation pathways that help patients recover effectively.
• Champion and support stroke research alongside national studies, contributing to evidence-based practice.
• Provide education, clinical supervision, and mentorship to junior doctors and medical students.
• Participate in the HASU on-call rota (1 in 8 weekends).

This role includes 10 programmed activities (PAs): 8.5 for direct clinical care and 1.5 for supporting professional activities (SPA), with opportunities for additional SPA time for leadership, research and service development.

The Trust & Why Join Us

As the first integrated provider of acute, community, mental health and primary care services in the UK, we are committed to transforming healthcare delivery. Our stroke services benefit from:

• Investment in state-of-the-art imaging (CT/MRI), day surgery and ICU facilities
• A supportive culture valuing diversity, inclusion and career growth
• A structured mentorship pathway, flexible working and multidisciplinary collaboration
• A relocation package (up to £7,700, terms apply)
• The opportunity to live and work in scenic Somerset, close to Bristol, Bath, Exeter and London

Essential Qualifications & Experience

To be considered, you must have:

• MRCP (UK) or equivalent medical qualification
• Full GMC registration with a valid licence to practise, and either:
• Entry on the Specialist Register (or within 6 months of CCT), or
• Eligibility for entry onto the Specialist Register via CCT or equivalent route
• Strong experience in hyperacute stroke care, thrombolysis, TIA management and rehabilitation
• Excellent communication and teamworking skills
• Desirable skills include a higher research degree, leadership experience, and evidence of teaching, audit or involvement in stroke research.

About Stroke Care in the UK

• Stroke affects tens of thousands of people in the UK each year, with early specialist care significantly improving outcomes. The NHS National Stroke Service Model promotes integrated delivery, ensuring patients benefit from rapid diagnosis, timely clot-busting treatments and coordinated rehabilitation across the stroke pathway.
• Specialist stroke units aim to provide:
• 24/7 expert care including prompt thrombolysis and brain imaging
• Rapid access to TIA clinics
• Co-ordinated rehabilitation and community support

Public campaigns such as Act F.A.S.T encourage immediate emergency response to symptoms like facial droop, arm weakness or speech difficulty because time lost is brain lost in stroke care.

Professional Registration & Visa Sponsorship

You must have current UK professional registration to practise as a physician in the NHS. The General Medical Council (GMC) is the statutory body that regulates and licences doctors in the UK.

If you require immigration support, this role can be sponsored under the Health and Care Worker Visa, a streamlined route within the UK’s skilled worker system designed for qualified medical professionals.

For general UK visa guidance and eligibility requirements, the Skilled Worker Visa overview.

Clinical Governance & Checks

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

International applicants requiring a criminal record check as part of the Skilled Worker or Health and Care visa application should consult official guidance on criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

How to Apply & Contact Information

We welcome applications from candidates with a passion for stroke medicine and stroke service improvement.