Senior Palliative Care DoctorNHS

Job summary

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Senior Palliative Care Doctor to provide senior medical leadership and support within our Hospice services.

Reporting operationally to the Director of Care, and under the clinical supervision of a Consultant in the Specialist Palliative Care Team (SPCT), the postholder will play a key role in delivering safe, effective, and compassionate care to patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Main duties of the job

• Assess, review and manage patients with complex needs
• Lead on symptom control and advance care planning
• Support clinical decision-making and escalate when needed
• Work closely with nurses and the wider MDT
• Communicate sensitively with patients and families
• Support junior staff and contribute to teaching
• Take part in audit, governance and service improvement

This role is suited to a doctor with strong palliative care experience who operates below Consultant level, working within a clearly defined scope of practice with appropriate supervision and escalation pathways.

Job description

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESCLINICAL PRACTICE Provide medical assessment, review and management of patients receiving Hospice care, including symptom control, prescribing, advance care planning and support for complex decision-making.

Work collaboratively with nurses, allied health professionals, social workers, counsellors, volunteers and administrative colleagues to provide holistic care.

Support timely, safe and compassionate care across inpatient as agreed in the job plan.

Identify and escalate deteriorating, complex or high-risk patients in line with agreed clinical pathways and supervision arrangements.

Communicate sensitively and clearly with patients, families and carers, including around diagnosis, prognosis, goals of care and preferred place of care/death.

Maintain accurate, timely and legally compliant medical records.

CLINICAL GOVERNANCE, QUALITY AND SAFETY Contribute to the Hospice clinical governance framework, including audit, incident review, learning from complaints, quality improvement and risk management.

Support safe prescribing and medicines management in line with Hospice policies, legal requirements and best practice, working closely with nursing, pharmacy and Consultant colleagues.

Participate in safeguarding and case review discussions where relevant.

Contribute to the development and implementation of policies, guidelines and pathways relevant to palliative and end of life care.

Raise concerns promptly where patient safety, clinical quality, professional standards or staff wellbeing may be at risk.

LEADERSHIP AND TEAM CONTRIBUTION Provide visible and approachable senior medical support to the multidisciplinary team.

Support junior doctors, medical students, nonmedical prescribers and other colleagues through teaching, advice and supervision within the postholders competence.

Contribute to a positive learning culture that supports reflective practice, psychological safety and continuous improvement.

Participate in appraisal, revalidation and continuing professional development requirements, maintaining evidence of competence and scope of practice.

Work constructively with the Director of Care, clinical leads and senior managers to support safe delivery of services.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Contribute to internal teaching and reflective learning sessions for clinical and nonclinical staff.

Support placements and learning opportunities for doctors in training, medical students and other learners where appropriate supervision arrangements are in place.

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of palliative medicine, end of life care, communication skills, safeguarding, mental capacity and relevant legal/ethical frameworks.

Participate in external education and networks relevant to palliative care and Hospice practice.

Support and lead innovation in medical care within the scope of specialist palliative care, helping to develop safe, evidence based approaches that enhance patient care, quality of life and service responsiveness.

PARTNERSHIPS AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS Contribute clinically to multidisciplinary meetings, discharge planning and shared care discussions.

Support Hospice visibility and credibility with partners through professional, values led representation.

Participate in appropriate public engagement, fundraising or advocacy activity where this supports the Hospice mission and is compatible with clinical priorities.

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.