Consultant in Geriatric & General Medicine *Welcome Bonus 12K* with certificate of sponsorship to the UK

Visa Note

This position is eligible for Certificate of Sponsorship for qualified international candidates. However, applicants must verify their eligibility with the employer before applying. The employer will consider applications from those requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship, but all candidates should confirm specific visa requirements and eligibility criteria with Dr Dan Coates prior to submitting their application.

Job Summary

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking two enthusiastic and passionate Consultant in Geriatric & General Medicine to join our department at Ipswich Hospital. This is an exciting opportunity with a substantial welcome bonus of £12,000 plus relocation costs. We offer full-time, part-time, and flexible working arrangements as we prepare for the implementation of our new electronic health record system, Epic, in 2025.

About East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

We are ESNEFT, one of the largest NHS organisations in England, providing hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated team of over 12,000 staff delivers care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, clinics, and in patients’ own homes. We pride ourselves on supporting our staff with comprehensive benefits, including a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments, 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata), and access to NHS discounts.

Key Responsibilities

The successful candidates will share responsibility for a complex Older People’s Ward with 14 inpatients, supported by junior medical staff including middle grade, CMT, and FY1 doctors. The role involves daily consultant-led board rounds, regular ward rounds, relatives meetings, and monthly clinical governance meetings. You’ll provide clinical leadership to our innovative multidisciplinary team in collaboration with other consultants and ward sisters.

Clinical Duties

Each post includes 2 Frailty Assessment sessions per week, seeing up to 4 patients with specialist nursing, pharmacy, and therapy teams for Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. You’ll cover the “hot phone” service (2-8 calls daily) and work within our Frailty Assessment Base with access to dietitians, community therapy, and REACT. The number of Frailty Assessment sessions can be tailored to accommodate sub-specialty interests such as Movement Disorders, Falls, Surgical Liaison, Interface Geriatrics, and Frailty.

Person Specification

Essential Requirements

Applicants must hold MRCP or equivalent, be included on the GMC Specialist Register for Geriatrics and General (Internal Medicine) or within six months of expected CCT date, and provide evidence of completion of higher specialist training. You’ll need detailed knowledge of Geriatrics and G(I)M, ability to take independent clinical responsibility within a multidisciplinary team, and demonstrate effective organization and management skills.

Desirable Attributes

While not essential, desirable qualifications include training in appraisal techniques, postgraduate diplomas or higher degrees, evidence of research publications, management training, Post Graduate Certificate in medical education, knowledge of national NHS agendas, evidence of subspecialist interests, and a full driving license with regular access to a car.

What We Offer

In addition to the £12,000 welcome bonus and relocation support, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including a competitive salary ranging from £109,725 to £145,478 per annum, flexible working options, generous annual leave, access to training and development opportunities, and staff health and wellbeing services. Our philosophy is that “Time Matters to everyone,” and we’re committed to improving working conditions for all staff.

Location

The position is based at Ipswich Hospital, Heath Road, Ipswich, IP4 5PD. Located in Suffolk, Ipswich offers a quality of life with excellent transport links, affordable housing compared to many UK cities, and access to beautiful countryside and coastline. The hospital is easily accessible by road, rail, and air, with Norwich International Airport approximately 45 minutes away.

Salary and Benefits

The salary for this Consultant position ranges from £109,725 to £145,478 per annum, depending on experience and qualifications. In addition to the £12,000 welcome bonus, we offer relocation support to assist with moving to the area. Benefits include 27 days annual leave (pro rata), pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), NHS discounts, and access to our comprehensive Staff Health and Wellbeing programme.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please submit your application through the NHS Jobs website. International applicants should include evidence of their medical qualifications, GMC registration (or eligibility), English language proficiency, and any required visa documentation. All candidates should prepare for potential verification of criminal record checks from countries where they have resided for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.

Application Checklist

Before applying, international candidates should:

• Verify eligibility for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship with the employer
• Obtain necessary GMC registration information
• Prepare evidence of English language proficiency if required
• Obtain criminal record certificates from relevant countries
• Gather proof of qualifications and professional experience
• Contact Dr Dan Coates with any specific questions about the role

Digital Transformation

We’re investing significantly in our “Time Matters” philosophy through a partnership with leading electronic patient record supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming both patient care experiences and working life for clinical staff. Join us at this exciting time as we implement these changes starting in 2025.

Professional Development

We are committed to supporting your career development through our wide range of training opportunities. Whether you wish to develop subspecialist interests, enhance your teaching skills, or pursue research, we provide the infrastructure and support to help you achieve your professional goals. Our innovative approach to patient care provides an excellent environment for developing new skills and knowledge.

Wellbeing Support

Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offers a variety of services to support your physical and mental health. We understand the demands of clinical practice and have implemented measures to reduce time delays and administrative burdens, allowing you to focus on patient care. Our commitment to staff wellbeing is reflected in our flexible working options and supportive management culture.

Application Deadline

The closing date for applications is 27 February 2026. Early applications are encouraged as this position may be filled before the closing date. All applications must be submitted through the NHS Jobs website, and incomplete applications may not be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview, which may be conducted in person or via video conference for international applicants.

Sponsorship Information

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is able to offer Certificate of Sponsorship for qualified international candidates who meet the specific requirements for the Skilled Worker visa route. Applicants requiring sponsorship should clearly indicate this in their application and provide all necessary documentation to support their visa application. The Trust will consider sponsorship applications alongside all other applications.

Additional Information

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The Trust is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or age. We are a Disability Confident employer and offer interview guarantees to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria.

Contact Details

For specific questions about this position, please contact Dr Dan Coates, Clinical Lead, via email at Dan.Coates@esneft.nhs.uk or by phone at 01473704674. For general enquiries about working in the UK healthcare system or visa sponsorship, please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website or contact our HR department.

Life in Suffolk

Suffolk offers an excellent quality of life with a mix of historic market towns, beautiful countryside, and accessible coastline. Ipswich provides urban amenities while maintaining a community atmosphere with affordable housing, good schools, and excellent transport connections. The area is known for its low crime rates, good schools, and proximity to London (approximately 1 hour by train), making it an ideal location for international healthcare professionals seeking work-life balance.

Next Steps

We encourage interested candidates to visit our employer website at https://www.esneft.nhs.uk/ to learn more about our services, values, and staff benefits. You can also watch our video about living and working in the area at www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A. Complete application packs are available on the NHS Jobs website, and we look forward to receiving your application for this rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of older patients in our community.