Acute Medicine Consultant and Integrated Front Door Lead

Job overview

Applications are invited for the post of Consultant in Acute Medicine and Front Door Clinical Lead at the RUH Bath.  This is a great opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to join a dynamic team of consultants at a time when the service is expanding from investment.

This post is advertised as 10 PAs, and we would support applicants who wish to work full time, part time or in a flexible working pattern, perhaps due to another area of specialist interest.  The Front Door Clinical Lead has a time commitment of 3 PAs.  The clinical aspects of the role are within Acute Medicine.  We are a warm and welcoming MDT, proud to work in this fast-paced environment using evidence-based practice.  We would like to hear from inspiring leaders with a passion for Acute Medicine and Urgent & Emergency Care.

This is a pivotal role in and coordinating services at the interface of the Emergency Department (ED) the Urgent Treatment Centre, Acute Medicine, and Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC). You will lead the development of integrated care pathways, ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality, contributing to improved clinical outcomes and patient experience.  As part of the leadership team, the post-holder will provide strategic oversight, operational management, and clinical leadership to ensure alignment with the Trust’s strategic objectives.

Main duties of the job

The Acute Medicine service sits within Medical Division, and as part of the Integrated Front Door Service.  We provide a responsive interface between primary and secondary care needs, identifying and managing those unwell patients who require inpatient acute hospital treatment, while also supporting primary care clinicians in managing other patients safely and effectively in the community.

We are currently expanding and refurbishing our SDEC area to be a purpose built space for this key front door service. The consultants are supported by a team of specialty doctors, MNPs and nurses, to assess and treat patients referred from primary care, that require urgent assessment and diagnostic tests but do not necessarily require admission. The SDEC service manages a phone line, for community partners to access consultant advice and guidance, supporting patients to be given the right care in the right place.

MAU has a target length of stay of up to 12 - 24 hours and is for the initial assessment and management of acutely ill medical patients prior to discharge or admission into the hospital. The RUH benefits from a separate front door frailty service and a dedicated Older Persons Assessment Unit, ensuring that elderly people are cared for by the right specialty from admission.   MSS (Medical Short Stay Unit) is for patients who need a 1 or 2-night stay in hospital, and these patients remain under the care of the acute medicine team, receiving consultant led ward rounds and MDT care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the attached detailed job description and person specification for details on the post or please contact Dr Fenella Maggs if you would like to learn more about the post.