Consultant in Learning Disabilities

This post is to work primarily with adults with learning disabilities and to support seamless transition between Child and Adult services across the Conwy area.

The post holder will be expected to comply with the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010.

The post may at times attract a junior doctor, depending on availability in the training rota. There is no speciality doctor input.

To manage, appraise and give professional supervision to junior medical staff as agreed between consultant colleagues and the medical director and in accordance with the Health Board’s personnel policies and procedures. This may include assessing competences under the Modernising Medical Careers framework.

To ensure that junior medical staff, working with the post holder operate within the parameters of the New Deal and are Working Time Directive compliant.

To record clinical activity accurately and comprehensively and submit this promptly to the necessary department.

To participate in service and business planning activity for the locality and as appropriate, for the whole mental health service.

To attend and participate in the academic programme of the Health Board, including lectures and seminars as part of the internal CPD programme.

To maintain professional registration with the General Medical Council, Mental Health Act 1983 Section 12(2) approval, to work within the legal framework of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010 and to abide by professional codes of conduct.

To participate annually in a job plan review with the Clinical Director, which will include consultation in order to ensure that the post is developed to take into account changes in service configuration and delivery associated with modernisation.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) is the largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health and acute hospital services for a population of around 676,000 people across the six counties of North Wales (Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham). The aim of BCUHB is to provide the highest quality care for the population of North Wales. We aim to achieve this through three key values: Dignity, placing a high value on respecting the patient as an individual; Valuing Staff, as individuals and developing their skills appropriately; Efficiency, pursuing efficiency and effectiveness in delivering services.

BCUHB has an equal opportunities and family friendly policy.

Conwy has a population of 118,200 and the Current case-load for the Consultant is approximately 125. The post holder will receive referrals form a variety of sources and provide diagnostic assessment, treatment and support services to adults living in Conwy with a range of learning disability associated with mental disorder, challenging behaviour, autism spectrum disorders, dementia, offending behaviour and other multiple disabilities.

The postholder will develop, maintain and deliver the necessary evidence based interventions in a range of community settings to enable adults with learning disability to lead fulfilling lives.

The postholder will contribute to risk assessment and management.

The post holder will be part of, and provide clinical leadership to the Community Learning Disability Team, working in community and outpatient settings.

The postholder will forge good links and relationships with professionals and teams within BCUHB including primary care as well as external allied agencies such as social services, police, voluntary and private sector.

The post holder will also provide Consultant and Responsible Medical Officer duties to approximately half of the admitted patients in Mesen Fach, an A/T Unit in Bryn Y Neuadd Hospital (eight bedded). Two sessions are committed for inpatient cover duties. Rarely the Post Holder may need to admit a patient in Adult Mental Health Units depending of the Patient’s IQ/Abilities. The post holder will work within the legislative arrangements of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010.