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Consultant Ophthalmologist with S/I in Paediatrics & Adult Strabismus

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

Ormskirk, L39 2AZ £113,565 – £150,569 a year Permanent Posted 10 August 2026 Apply by 14 September 2026

Home Office register entry: Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Prescot

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Role description

Job summary

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Consultant Ophthalmologist with a special interest in Paediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus to join our expanding service across Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals.

This is a new consultant post replacing an established Associate Specialist to continue to the delivery of a high-performing, patient-centred department.

This opportunity offers the successful candidate a chance to develop a thriving paediatric practice, including ROP screening, alongside delivering adult strabismus and general ophthalmology care, with the option to undertake adult cataract surgery. The successful candidate will be required to join the Trusts general on-call service.

Main duties of the job

You will deliver high-quality consultant-led care in: Paediatric Ophthalmology - including ROP screening, paediatric clinics and surgery Adult Strabismus General Ophthalmology Adult Cataract Surgery (optional) Participation in the 1:4 consultant on-call rota (non-resident; 5pm-9pm weekdays, 9am-9pm weekends).

The job plan comprises 10 PAs, including theatre, clinics, ROP activity, SPA time and supporting activities. Final job plan will be agreed with the Clinical Director upon appointment.

You will contribute to national clinical standards, CG, audit, teaching, and supervision of junior staff, with opportunities to participate in research and regional teaching programmes. You will provide consultant leadership and oversight to the orthoptic service within the S&O footprint,

About us

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.

Our services:

Acute Care

Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.

Primary Care

Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.

Community Services

Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.

Specialist Regional Services

We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018
Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)
National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme.

Date posted

10 August 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£113,565 to £150,569 a year per annum (plus on call)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

409-S7909564

Job locations

Ormskirk Hospital

Dicconson Way, Wigan Road

Ormskirk

L39 2AZ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please ensure you have read through the attached Job Description and Person Specification before submitting your application.

Advertisement date: 10th August 2026

Closing date: 14th September 2026

Shortlisting date: from 15th September 2026

Interview/AAC date: 6th October 2026

Person Specification

Values

Essential

We are kind
We are open
We are inclusive

Qualifications

Essential

MB ChB or evidence of equivalent qualification
Full and specialist registration with the General Medical Council (GMC), and licenced to practice
Entered on the Specialist Register (or eligible for registration within six months of interview)
FRCOphth or equivalent
CCT in Ophthalmology
Evidence of thorough and broad training and experience in all aspects of general Ophthalmology
Competent in Surgical and Medical Paediatric ophthalmology and ROP Screening
Competent in adult cataract surgery including training Juniors
Able to take responsibility for delivering Paediatric ophthalmology service without direct supervision

Knowledge

Essential

Knowledge and experience of Ophthalmology
Broad range of IT skills
Knowledge of evidence-based practice
Understanding of clinical governance and the individual responsibilities it implies
Knowledge of the principles of clinical audit and evidence of participation
Participation in continuing professional development (CPD) scheme and, where relevant, evidence of participation
Interest in teaching medical, nursing, and other groups of staff
Experience of supervising trainee doctors, clinically and surgically
Experience of teaching clinical skills to undergraduate medical students
Experience of clinical or lab-based research with publications in peer reviewed journals

Desirable

Publication of audit results
Ability to supervise research

Skills

Essential

Ability to communicate effectively with clinical colleagues, colleagues in Ophthalmology, other specialties and support staff
Good knowledge of, and ability to use, spoken and written English
Ability to present effectively to an audience, using a variety of methods and to respond to questions
Ability to develop effective working relationships on an individual and multi-disciplinary basis with all levels of staff
Ability to be a flexible team member
Ability to cope with and effectively organize the workload of a consultant
Ability to practise independently as a consultant
Ability to take responsibility and show evidence of leadership
Ability to help manage and lead the department balancing departmental and personal objectives
Ability to demonstrate a commitment to work within Trust policies as guided by the Clinical Director
Have a commitment to CME / CPD

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.