Locum Orthopaedic Consultant (Specialist interest in arthroplasty)

The post holder will provide high-quality inpatient and outpatient Trauma and Orthopaedic services, with a particular focus on supporting and developing the hip service. The role includes participation in the consultant on-call rota, delivery of emergency and elective care, and contribution to multidisciplinary working. The post holder will support service development, training, audit, and clinical governance, ensuring safe, effective, and patient-centred care in line with national standards and Trust priorities. This is a Locum position until March 2027.

To provide comprehensive Trauma and Orthopaedic care for inpatients and outpatients, with specialist input into hip surgery services. To participate fully in the 1 in 8 Consultant on-call rota, including post-take consultant ward rounds and emergency care. To work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, coordinated patient care. To support and liaise with the Orthopaedic Treatment Service operating within primary care. To contribute to the education and supervision of surgical trainees and other healthcare professionals.To support the department in meeting national and local performance targets and in the ongoing development of services.

The post holder will actively support the department in meeting national and local performance standards, including elective recovery and referral-to-treatment expectations. They will work collaboratively with clinical and operational colleagues to help reduce long waiting times for orthopaedic and hip patients, ensuring care is delivered safely, efficiently, and in a timely manner.

At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff.

Our Mission is to provide outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them, and our vision is Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.

We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.

We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.

Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.

The post holder will deliver inpatient and outpatient Trauma and Orthopaedic services on the acute hospital site, with a defined contribution to the hip service. This will include elective and emergency activity, clinical decision-making, operative care, and ongoing management of patients throughout their care pathway.

The role includes participation in the 1 in 8 Consultant on-call rota, providing emergency Orthopaedic cover and undertaking post-take consultant ward rounds. The post holder will ensure timely review, effective management, and safe discharge planning for trauma and orthopaedic patients.

The consultant will work closely with the Orthopaedic Treatment Service based in primary care, providing clinical advice, liaison, and support to ensure continuity of care and appropriate patient flow between services.

Multidisciplinary Working

The post holder will be an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, working collaboratively with Consultants in Anaesthetics, Rheumatology (including pain services), Radiology, Pathology, and Elderly Care. Close working relationships with nursing staff, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and other allied health professionals are essential to deliver holistic and effective patient care.

Training and Education

The post holder will contribute to the education, training, and supervision of Higher and Basic Surgical Trainees, as well as other members of the multidisciplinary team. This includes clinical teaching, assessment, supervision in theatre and clinics, and support for professional development within the department.

Clinical Governance, Audit, and CPD

The consultant will ensure a high level of efficiency, safety, and effectiveness in clinical practice, in line with Trust policies and national guidance. They will participate in clinical audit, service evaluation, and quality improvement activities within the Directorate, using outcomes to drive service improvement.

The post holder is expected to maintain continuing professional development in line with appraisal, revalidation, and clinical governance requirements, and to actively engage in learning and reflective practice.

Service Development and Performance

The post holder will assist the department in meeting national and local targets, including government and NHS performance standards. They will take an active role in the ongoing development of the Trauma and Orthopaedic service, particularly in relation to the hip pathway, supporting innovation, pathway redesign, and improvements in patient outcomes and experience.