Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry – New Forest East with certificate of sponsorship to the UK

Visa Information for International Applicants

This position offers a Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible international candidates. However, applicants must verify their specific visa eligibility requirements directly with the employer. The Certificate of Sponsorship does not guarantee visa approval, and candidates should familiarize themselves with UK visa requirements before applying. For the most up-to-date information on UK visa processes, please visit the official UK Visas and Immigration website.

Job Details

Company: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Location: Western Community Hospital, Walnut Grove, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 4XE

Salary: £109,725 to £145,478 a year (Pro Rata)

Employment Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Part-time, Flexible working

Language: English

Application Deadline: 06 June 2026

Reference Number: 348-MED-SSW-9876

About the Role

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist to join our Older People’s Mental Health Services team in the New Forest. This is an excellent opportunity for qualified psychiatrists looking to develop their career in the UK’s National Health Service while making a significant difference in the lives of older adults with mental health needs.

The successful candidate will work within a dedicated team based at The Western Hospital and Oakley Road in Southampton. The team covers the Eastern aspects of the New Forest area, with caseloads shared based on GP practices. The post holder will be working in the community environment, collaborating with enthusiastic and committed colleagues to deliver integrated, high-quality care across the spectrum of Older Persons’ Mental Health issues.

Role Requirements

This role involves 5 programmed activities, comprising 4 PAs of Direct Clinical Care within the community setting, supported by 1 Supporting PA. The position includes working closely with a Consultant Psychiatrist and a dedicated Associate Specialist Doctor. Participation in the Older People’s Mental Health (OPMH) Senior on-call rota (currently approximately 1 in 13) is required. Administrative and clinical support will be provided from the wider OPMH team.

This post offers excellent professional development and mentoring opportunities, making it ideal for an enthusiastic psychiatrist looking to advance their career in the UK healthcare system. The flexible working pattern allows for a better work-life balance while maintaining professional excellence.

Main Duties

The post holder will have responsibility for referrals from General Practices listed within the service area and hold a clinical leadership role within the team. Key responsibilities include:

Personally conducting new assessments for complex cases and supporting team members in assessing other referrals through supervision. The post holder will oversee clinical management of patients via weekly multidisciplinary team meetings and support nurses in care coordination for people with complex needs through supervision and joint appointments.

During working hours, the post holder will be available for clinical advice, supporting the nurse-led duty system for triaging and emergency assessments. Additionally, responsibilities include participation in service and business planning activities for the service, as well as annual job plan reviews and appraisals for consultants.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with local managers and professional colleagues to ensure the efficient running of services, maintaining high standards of patient care while contributing to the ongoing development of the service.

About the Employer

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a newly established organisation that brings together expertise from across mental health, learning disabilities, community, and physical health services. We are dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality, and accessible care to the diverse communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

With over 13,000 dedicated staff working across more than 300 sites, we place patients and staff at the centre of everything we do. Our goal is to create an integrated healthcare system that improves accessibility and ensures more consistent care for patients. By working together, we aim to improve patient outcomes, drive innovation, and meet the unique needs of the populations we serve.

Our Trust unites services from Southern Health, Solent NHS Trust, Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s community and mental health teams, as well as Hampshire CAMHS, originally part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. This transformation enables us to deliver more seamless care across the region, ensuring that patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

We are deeply committed to our CARE values of compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence, and offer outstanding opportunities for career development, training, and collaborative working. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey to shape the future of healthcare across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

Full GMC Registration with license to practice

Eligibility for inclusion on the Specialist Register

CCST in Old Age Psychiatry (or within 12 months at time of interview) or equivalent

Section 12 Approval

Approved Clinician

Desirable Qualifications

MRCPsych

Relevant Higher Degree e.g. MD, PhD, MSc or other additional clinical qualifications

Additional Information for International Applicants

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. The employer is committed to supporting international candidates through the visa sponsorship process where appropriate.

Please note that from 6 April 2017, Skilled Worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.

How to Apply

Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website.

For international applicants, we recommend the following steps:

• Verify your eligibility for UK professional registration with the General Medical Council (GMC)
• Prepare your CV, including details of your psychiatric qualifications and experience
• Prepare a cover letter explaining your interest in this specific role and your suitability
• Ensure you have all required documentation, including proof of qualifications and references
• Contact the hiring manager if you have any questions about the application process or visa sponsorship

All applications must be submitted through the official NHS Jobs website. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview, which may be conducted in person or via video conference for international applicants.

Contact Information

For questions about the job, contact:

Name: Shilpa Balakrishna (Hiring Manager)

Email: shilpa.balakrishna@nhs.net

Phone: Not provided

Further Information

For more information about the Trust and this role, please visit the employer’s website at https://hiowhealthcare.nhs.uk/. The website contains additional details about our services, working environment, and employee benefits.

Supporting documents for this role include the updated job description and information about employee benefits. These documents can be downloaded from the NHS Jobs website alongside the application form.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We are particularly keen to receive applications from candidates who can bring diverse perspectives and experiences to our team.

Please note that all successful applicants will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, which may include verification of qualifications, right to work in the UK, and professional references.

We look forward to receiving your application and potentially welcoming you to our team of dedicated healthcare professionals committed to providing excellent care to the communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.