Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity to join a friendly and well established team of Airway specialists at Luton and Dunstable hospital, a large district general hospital with a tertiary head and neck centre.

We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic Consultant to join our busy, friendly and expanding department.  In 2025 we will see the opening of a new acute service block with the creation of eight new operating theatres, a 22 bedded critical care unit, a tertiary level NICU and a large maternity department. Colleagues will be welcomed to our existing department of over 45 Consultants, 11 Specialty Doctors and many doctors in training. The appointee will anaesthetise specifically for specialist airway lists and a variety of other elective surgical specialties. The non-resident on-call commitment covers emergency surgery and obstetrics.

Our case mix is interesting, our culture supportive and the Trust has a progressive approach to service development and clinician involvement. Our department is fully committed to teaching and training both undergraduate and postgraduate students.  

Luton and Dunstable hospital is located within easy access to central London and the Midlands.  London Luton Airport is within fifteen minutes’ drive from the hospital.  There are many attractive villages and towns nearby like St Albans and Harpenden which has excellent schools.

Closing Date:  27th July 2025

Assessment Date:  22nd August 2025

Interview Date:  5th September 2025

Main duties of the job

You will join a team of supportive, dynamic and enthusiastic Airway Anaesthetists and work alongside Head and Neck surgeons to provide multidisciplinary care to our patients.

You will be involved in preoperative assessment, perioperative management and providing enhanced recovery to complex airway patients, as we treat a variety of benign and malignant conditions.

Currently there are approximately 3 head & neck cancer lists per week and about 40 free flap cases being done per year.  We routinely do procedures like neck dissections, laser surgeries and laryngectomies. Newer airway techniques like Robotics and High frequency jet ventilation are also being performed. You will be expected to take part in various airway MDT meetings and provide your valuable input.

An important part of the role will involve the delivery of regular airway training to anaesthetists and anaesthetic assistants by running workshops, courses, study days, etc.   Anaesthesia workshops for novice trainees, airway study days, simulation days and advanced airway workshops including fibreoptic courses are currently being regularly.

As a department we encourage quality improvement projects and support our trainees to get involved. We are currently presenting 2 to 3 posters per year at national and international meetings.

We would also like your support in development of guidelines, procuring equipment if needed and taking up the airway lead role in future.

Working for our organisation

Our Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

As this role is within scope of the current legislation COVID19 vaccination status will remain part of our routine Occupational Health check.

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It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

 

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.