Specialist Grade Doctor in Psychiatry | Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Grade Doctor in Psychiatry

Hillingdon Older Adult Mental Health Service

FTC 12 Months 10PAs

We have an opportunity for a dynamic and enthusiastic Specialist Medic to join our innovative older adult mental health service in a full-time (10 PA) role. The primary focus of this role will be working in Oak Tree ward, our 17 bed older adult acute mental health ward. Oak Tree ward provides acute care for both women and men living with dementia and / or presenting with complex psychiatric needs that can not be safely met in community settings.

In addition to the ward the service has a CMHT, Home Treatment Service, and Memory Service, and given the very integrate way in which our teams work and deliver care, there will be job planned opportunities for the post-holder to work into all areas of the service. The service has excellent links and relationships with wider health, social, and VCSE partners in Hillingdon, and is an active contributor to the development of Neighbourhood Health and Integrated Neighbourhood Teams in the Borough. The service culture is one of delivering the highest quality of care to older people in Hillingdon, with a strong focus and track record in service development and innovation. The post holder will be supported to play an active role in supporting this work, in addition to core clinical activities.

To offer speciality grade leadership and expertise to the Oak Ward and, when required, the wider OA teams.

To take a lead in assessing and following up the most complex and difficult cases referred to the service

To play an active role in supporting the development of the Hillingdon Older Adult Service.

To undertake risk assessments and to contribute to planning and implementing service users’ care plans.

To carry out the above on the ward and, when required, community settings, including home visits, and other non-stigmatising settings.

To work flexibly to ensure that clients and their carers are able to access the service effectively.

To provide the day-to-day medical cover to Oak Tree Ward, under the supervision of the Oak Tree Consultant.

To participate in the Middle Grade on-call rota for Hillingdon. Currently the frequency of on call is 1:10 but this may vary in the future according to service needs.

To be an active member of the multi disciplinary team and participate in team MDT

To involve the user and carers in the treatment, management and care planning of a user’s mental health and physical care.

To liaise effectively with all approporate partner agencies in the delivery of care.

To ensure that clinical records are kept up to date, accurate, signed and legible.

To ensure that all aspects relating to discharging clients are appropriately dealt with, and all clients are diagnosed with ICD10 code.

To participate in audits and QI projects.

Oak Tree Ward is a modern 17-bedded en-suite unit providing assessment and treatment for older adults with complex or acute mental health needs, with the aim of supporting a return to independent living. The multidisciplinary team includes doctors, psychiatric nurses, an occupational therapist, a psychologist and healthcare assistants. The ward is based at the Woodland Centre on the Hillingdon Hospital site, alongside other Older Adult services including CMHT, Home Treatment and Memory Services.

On average, there are around four admissions and four discharges per month. Most patients are admitted from their usual residence, with a small proportion from the general hospital. The average length of stay (August 2021) was 64 days. Most patients return home on discharge, with a small number requiring placements.

Approximately two-thirds have a primary organic diagnosis.

Patients requiring ongoing support can be referred to the Home Treatment Service and access therapy via the Specialist Therapies Team. The Specialist Memory Service provides assessment and intervention for dementia. The team works closely with Social Care on placement.

www.cnwl.nhs.uk

The post holder will be expected to work in partnership with service users, family members, carers and other care teams, so that they are fully involved in and empowered to make decisions about their treatment and care. It remains a priority to establish and maintain good communication and effective working relationships with referrers and to work closely with other agencies. It will be important for the post holder to build a knowledge of and links with voluntary and independent service providers locally.

This advert closes on Tuesday 15 Sep 2026