Locum Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmic SurgeonNHS

Job summary

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Locum 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 locum 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,

Job description

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

Advertisement date: 2nd November 2026

Closing date: 6th December 2026

Shortlisting date: from w/c 7th December 2026

Interview date: TBC

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.