Palliative Care DoctorNHS

Job summary

We are seeking a committed and compassionate Palliative Care Doctor to join our multidisciplinary team at St Davids Hospice.

This role plays a key part in delivering high-quality medical care across our inpatient unit in Llandudno and Hafan Dewi Sant. Working closely with nurses, therapists, and support staff, you will provide expert clinical care and contribute to improving patient and family wellbeing.

Main duties of the job

• Manage admissions, daily reviews and discharges
• Deliver excellent symptom control and medical care
• Join the on-call rota (including weekends)
• Work closely with nursing and therapy teams
• Communicate clearly with patients and families
• Support and mentor junior colleagues
• Contribute to audit and service development

This is an excellent opportunity to work within a supportive and values-driven hospice environment while contributing to high standards of patient-centred care.

Job description

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Patient Care and Medical Management:

• Manage the admission, daily review, and discharge of patients in the inpatient units at Llandudno, Holyhead, and Hafan Dewi Sant centres.
• Advise and oversee the medical management of patients in both inpatient and day therapy settings, ensuring the delivery of optimal care.
• Arrange and interpret necessary medical investigations, taking appropriate action based on results.
• Provide telephone advice and medical support as part of the on-call rota, including out-of-hours support during evenings, weekends, and Bank Holidays.

Communication and Coordination:

• Effectively communicate with patients, families, and the multidisciplinary team (MDT) regarding patient conditions, treatment plans, and care pathways.
• Collaborate with allied health services and external providers to ensure seamless admission, ongoing care, and discharge processes.
• Ensure timely and accurate documentation, including clinical notes, drug charts, discharge letters, and end-of-life care summaries.

Education and Mentorship:

• Provide supervision, education, and mentorship to trainee doctors, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, and Clinical Nurse Specialists, supporting their ongoing development and integration into the care team.
• Participate in the education and training of clinical staff, contributing to the development of the hospices medical and nursing teams.

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Participation:

• Actively participate in weekly MDT meetings to discuss patient care plans and ensure holistic, patient-centred care.
• Implement decisions from MDT meetings in collaboration with the nursing and clinical teams, ensuring best practice in hospice care.

Leadership and Support:

• Work closely with the Senior Sister/Ward Sister and clinical leads to oversee day to-day ward operations, ensuring smooth patient management.
• Support medical colleagues during absences and cover for annual leave or sickness, ensuring continuity of care across hospice services.

Audit, Research, and Continuous Improvement:

• Participate in clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives, and research activities to enhance service delivery and patient outcomes.
• Attend clinical leadership group meetings to contribute to the development and improvement of hospice services and policies.

Compliance and Ethical Practice:

• Ensure adherence to all relevant clinical and legal regulations, including GMC standards, hospice policies, and palliative care best practices.
• Uphold the highest ethical standards in patient care, including safeguarding, consent, confidentiality, and patient advocacy.

About us

St Davids Hospice is local charity committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and person-centred palliative and end-of-life care. We work closely with patients, families, and healthcare partners to provide holistic support that respects individual needs, values, and preferences. Our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to excellence in care, innovation, and continuous improvement, ensuring dignity and comfort for those we serve. Each year, we impact the lives of over 1,000 people across Conwy, Gwynedd, and Anglesey.

Our services include 24/7 care, Day Therapy Centres offering patient care and bereavement support, and Inpatient Units in Llandudno providing symptom control, respite, and end-of-life care.

People are at the heart of everything we do, with integrity and care shaping our culture.