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About the role

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking to appoint a fulltime Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist to join our team at Yeovil District Hospital (YDH). Contract: Permanent Hours: 10 PAs per week (7.5 DCC/2.5 SPA) Working Pattern: Monday--Friday, 09:00--17:00 On-call Requirement: None Role Overview: The post holder will provide specialist psychiatric assessment, management, and advice for patients admitted to YDH who require mental health input during their inpatient stay. You will work closely with acute hospital colleagues, mental health teams, and wider multidisciplinary services to support high-quality, integrated care. Cross-Site Working: Some cross cover with Musgrove Park Hospital may be required during periods of colleague leave. What We're Looking For: A committed, collaborative consultant psychiatrist who values liaison work, enjoys multidisciplinary environments, and is motivated to contribute to high-quality patient care across Somerset.

Assessment and Management - Support existing liaison staff in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of adults presenting with mental health problems Medical Leadership - Provide senior medical expertise to YDH teams caring for patients with functional or organic mental health conditions. This includes supervising the clinical caseload of liaison team members and overseeing the work of any trainee doctors attached to the service. Clinical Decision Making -- Work with the liaison team to determine the most appropriate interventions for referred patients. Responsibilities include facilitating safe and timely discharge planning and ensuring effective communication with Primary Care, Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs), and Inpatient Services. The Consultant will provide clinical leadership, particularly for patients with complex needs or elevated risk. Responsible Clinician Duties - Act as the Responsible Clinician (RC) under the Mental Health Act for patients detained at YDH. During periods of annual or study leave for Musgrove Park Hospital (MPH) consultants, RC responsibility will transfer to this post. Liaison with Acute Hospital Teams - Develop and maintain effective working relationships with medical, surgical, nursing, and allied health professionals within the acute hospital. Provide advice on the application of the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act where relevant. Special Interests may be developed through discussion and agreement at job plan review meetings.

Person specification

Essential

Primary medical qualification -- MB BS or equivalent recognised medical degree.
Mental Health Act Approval - Current approval as an Approved Clinician and Section 12approved doctor under the Mental Health Act.
GMC Specialist Registration - Inclusion on the GMC Specialist Register in Psychiatry, or eligibility for entry within six months of interview via:
Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT), or
Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR).
Liaison Psychiatry Competencies - Evidence of the clinical competencies required to fulfil the role of a Consultant in Liaison Psychiatry.
MRCPsych - Full Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Trainer Accreditation - Accreditation or eligibility for accreditation as a clinical or educational supervisor for junior doctors.
Postgraduate Research - Completion of a postgraduate thesis or equivalent research contribution.
Specialist Liaison Qualifications - Additional qualifications relevant to liaison psychiatry (e.g., Diploma in Geriatric Medicine (DGM), MRCP).
Endorsement in Liaison Psychiatry - Royal College of Psychiatrists endorsement in Liaison Psychiatry.
Dual accreditation - Dual CCT in Old Age Psychiatry and General Adult Psychiatry.
Higher Specialty Training - Completion of at least three years of supervised higher training (ST4--ST6 or equivalent) in an appropriate psychiatric specialty training programme.
Consultant-Level Experience - Previous experience working at consultant level, including autonomous clinical decisionmaking and leadership responsibilities.
Frontline Liaison Experience - Experience delivering frontline psychiatric care in liaison psychiatry, crisis services, or primary care liaison settings.
Eating disorder expertise -- Experience in the assessment and management of patients with Eating Disorders, including risk assessment, medical psychiatric interface issues, and multidisciplinary care planning.
Please refer to the job description for full person specifications required to undertake this position

Desirable

An appropriate higher degree or qualification - MD, PhD or equivalent