Consultant Ophthalmologist

We are excited to be adding to our team and are currently seeking to recruit a Consultant Ophthalmologist General /Cataract surgery with a sub speciality interest that complements the existing team. Hours and timescales are negotiable.

AAC Interview Date - 21st April 2026

Main duties of the job

The Consultant is in overall charge of patients and will allocate duties and responsibilities depending on the experience of his or her team. The appointed Consultant Ophthalmologist will work in both general and specialist clinics and see new and follow up patients.

A high level of competence in cataract surgery is expected. At present. The post holder will be encouraged to develop their own abilities based on their individual subspecialist training. Medical audit and continuing postgraduate education will be an integral function of the post and time will be set aside on the timetable for this.

About us

Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT , the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.

Worcestershire is our neighbouring county. The post holder will be required to travel between sites.

We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we'd want for our family and friends.

More than 3,500 people work for the Trust - they tell us it's a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire.

We can offer a great work life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.

Russell Hardy, Trust Chairman: "The strength of the Trust is its amazing staff; a great place to work, a great place to develop your career and a great place to reach your potential."

Our values -Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time all the time.

Job responsibilities

The Victoria Eye Unit was formed in August 2002 following a move to the new County Hospital from the dedicated Victoria Eye Hospital in Hereford City. The Victoria Eye Unit is the Ophthalmology Department at the Wye Valley NHS Trust and is based in the Eign Suite outpatients department. The Ophthalmology Department has the largest catchment area of any department within the Trust and this is currently approximately 230,000. The eye unit prides itself in having a happy and highly cohesive team of doctors, nurses, orthoptists and technicians, all of who are dedicated to providing the highest level of care to our patients.

The appointed Consultant Ophthalmologist will be expected to have a special interest that complements the existing interests of the department and will integrate into the present structure.

Surgical work will depend on the experience and interest of the candidate. A high level of competence in cataract surgery is expected.

Person Specification Education & Qualifications

• On GMC Specialist Register or within 6 months of attainment of CCT in Ophthalmology or Certificate of Eligibility for Specialist Registration (CESR) Licence to practise have passed FRCOphth exam or equivalent.
• Higher qualification MD/PhD or in final stages of equivalent level of attainment in research publications

Experience & Knowledge

• Training in general ophthalmology, cataract surgery, and specific subspecialty training
• A post-CCT Fellowship in sub-speciality

Clinical Skills

• High level of competence in cataract surgery
• Sub speciality interest

Research Teaching Skill

• Proven commitment and training in medical education Proven ability to carry out high

Clinical Knowledge

• Widespread broad based knowledge in all aspects of ophthalmology

Audit, Management & IT

• Clinical Audit experience knowledge of clinical Governance framework of NHS Inc. research governance Understanding of current changes in the management and organizational structures of NHS
• Ability to work within these parameters. Knowledge & understanding of principles of resource and budgetary management and evidence of income generating ability
• Good IT Skills

Research, Teaching skills & experience

• Proven commitment and training in medical education
• Proven ability to carry out high quality original research leading to publication in peer reviewed publications
• Proven ability to teach in clinical settings
• Experience of teaching at undergraduate & post graduate levels

Personal Qualities

• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Ability to work in a team
• Ability to motivate and develop staff of the department, balancing departmental and personal objectives.
• Excellent communication skills, oral and written
• Ability to take responsibility, lead, make decisions and exert appropriate authority. oAbility to see patients as people, ability to emphasise and work cooperatively with others.
• Access to travel as role is based in multiple sites
• Energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work under pressure, the ability to plan strategically and exercise sound judgement when faced with conflicting pressures.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.