Consultant in Palliative Medicine

St Christopher’s was founded in 1967 by Dame Cicely Saunders and she led the development of the modern hospice movement.

Fully committed to delivering education and research programmes alongside expert practice related to the experiences of death, dying and loss, we aim to provide a holistic approach to our care, offering help and support at home as well as in outpatient and inpatient settings.



Operating from two locations, one in Sydenham and one in Orpington, our efforts are focused on meeting the goals of people with a life shortening condition and supporting their families and carers wherever we can. Our reach spans across a diverse population of approximately 1.6 million people within the five London Boroughs of Bromley, Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.

We employ around 500 staff (including bank staff) who work within the community and across our two patient sites. We are supported by around 750 volunteers, many of whom provide their invaluable services on a regular basis.



St Christopher’s is a charity, led by a Board of Trustees and we raise significant funds each year through the generosity and commitment of our local communities. In addition, we raise funds through commercial activities, including charity shops to provide care and support free at the point of need.



An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Consultant in Palliative Medicine who is passionate, innovative and collaborative to join our current clinical leadership team which comprises doctors, consultant nurses and AHP’s who are working towards the delivery of a new vision around specialist end of life care.

The post will be ideal for an experienced clinician with a track record in service development and clinical leadership who wishes to engage with fresh challenges in the third sector. The pandemic has identified many opportunities for new ways of working for St Christopher’s teams through collaboration.



This role, which includes in the region of 1:6 on call, will focus on:



1. Supplementing the current senior clinical team in service development and expansion, specifically to;

• be part of the medical consultant body offering senior support to the organisation, including on call clinical cover across community, the inpatient unit and Croydon Health Services.
• take a lead (permanent or rotational) in development one of the key areas for example, clinical education, Medical Team leadership or quality improvement and research.
• support the continuing development of integrated frailty services and our work with the acute sector.

2. Provide specific senior consultant expertise to:

• facilitate effective changes in medical practice as part of our transformation programme.
• support strategic development of medicine as part of our adaption to and influence of developments in palliative and end of life care here and elsewhere.

For further information, or to arrange an informal visit, please contact Dr Joy Ross via 0776 6773278 or via j.ross@stchristophers.org.uk.



Please have a look at our website for further information on all aspects of St Christopher’s at www.stchristophers.org.uk and to apply for this position, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button below.



Salary - As per NHS Consultant pay scales.

Hours: 1 WTE post (part-time or job share will be considered).



Closing date: 7 December 2022



Shortlisting: 8 & 9 December 2022



Interviews: 19 December 2022