Locum Consultant Cardiologist

Applicants are invited to join our dynamic Cardiology team and apply for the post of Consultant Cardiologist at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (WHTHT).

The successful candidate will have a specialist interest in heart failure with additional interest in Inherited cardiac disease and complex imaging The successful candidate will work in partnership with our expanding Heart Failure team of specialist nurses and consultants as well as supporting our Inherited Cardiac disease (ICC) and Imaging departments.

Watford General hospital and Hemel Hempstead hospital are situated in Hertfordshire, easily accessible via the M1 and M25 Motorways and within easy access to the city of London by public transport.

Please see attached JD for additional details pertaining to the main duties of post.

This post is designed to support the ever-increasing workload in cardiology with a shared emphasis in heart failure, ICC and cardiac imaging.

The cardiology service is working in partnership with primary care to develop the local heart failure service with a contract with the Community heart failure team to provide clinic access to secondary care.

During the 2019 Covid pandemic, West Herts was the first Trust in the country to pioneer the Virtual Hospital model of care, allowing early discharge of patients and providing supported care at home using state of the art technologies.

In 2022, alongside our primary care partners, the department was further awarded over £1million in investment to continue this work with particular focus on Heart Failure. Our Virtual Hospital model has had a marked impact at local and National level and continues to thrive within WHTHT. This post provides an exciting opportunity to further develop and support the heart failure service which has expanded tremendously over the last 2 years alongside the increased demand for complex imaging and crossover with Inherited cardiac diseases such as cardiomyopathy and it is therefore likely to lead to a substantive appointment.

There has never been a more exciting time to join West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust!

The Trust is in line to receive government funding for major redevelopment works with construction due to start on new buildings in 2024. Plans include a new building at Watford General Hospital to house all clinical services with our hospitals at Hemel Hempstead and St Albans being refurbished throughout with some new buildings.

But our redevelopment is not just about new buildings. Each of our three hospitals will have a clearer role and a higher level of specialist care. This is a unique chance to be at the forefront of national efforts to transform how healthcare is provided for local people. Our hugely experienced project team of senior clinicians, architects, planners and construction experts have shaped our plans which embrace the latest best practice, including advances in design and digital healthcare.

The Trust is delighted to have recently been awarded Teaching Hospital status in recognition of its wide and well-renowned role in educating doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. We have recently opened a multi-storey car park at Watford General Hospital.

We encourage and welcome people with disabilities. If you need help, please ask.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

The successful applicant will be based mainly at WGH, although clinic sessions may be provided at Hemel Hempstead Hospital. They will work with the cardiology consultant body to provide a highly effective cardiology service for patients, local general medical practitioners, and hospital colleagues. The appointee will be expected to support the heart failure service and help develop ambulatory/ hot heart failure clinics and develop pathways in the community. The post holder may also be expected to run clinics in the community. The candidate will be expected to support the Inherited Cardiac Disease department as well as having timetabled sessions for complex imaging such as MRI.

Please see attached JD for in-depth scope of the main responsibilities pertaining to the post.