Medical Examiner – Somerset Foundation Trust

Dear Colleagues

We are seeking applications from senior doctors (Consultants, SAS doctors and GPs) from across Somerset Foundation Trust and the wider Somerset health community for the role of Medical Examiner (to start from the beginning of April 2024). You would be joining an established team of Medical Examiners, from a variety of clinical backgrounds. It is a brilliant, cohesive and friendly team supported by a fantastic group of Medical Examiner Officers.

This additional appointment will attract 1 PA of funding and is to support the continued role out of the medical examiner system throughout Somerset with the aim to scrutinize all deaths within Somerset (about 6000 in total) by April 2024. These posts are paid at the doctor’s current pay scale however experienced GP’s will be paid at year 10 consultant grade.

is a much more exciting role than it may appear with the opportunity to significantly impact on patient safety as well as interact with families and clinicians of all grades and specialities. For example, it affords the opportunity to listen to treating clinicians and family concerns in a confidential way and then ensure that these concerns are forwarded to the relevant hospital review system for action. We have a positive relationship with the trust’s senior management team (this is not an adversarial system) and our input is integral to building a learning culture. We are currently developing similar relationships with our colleagues in the community in particular the ICB and PCNs and any appointee would be involved in supporting this process. This role is independently funded (by NHS England) ensuring the ME service can provide a robust but friendly opinion. In general, we have had very positive feedback from clinicians and families. With the roll out of this service to the community another level of complexity and interest has been added. In April 2024 anyone dying, wherever it occurs in Somerset, will have their care reviewed by our team.

The job will be based at Musgrove Park or Yeovil District Hospital although there is the expectation that you will on occasion be required to work at the other site, depending on staffing levels (probably a few times a year at most). It is unlikely to involve any travel to outlying facilities, however, it will involve interaction with a host of people from differing professions.

Please have a think about getting involved. Feel free to contact me to informally discuss the role or contact any of the other MEs and maybe pop in and have a chat with Helen Waldon in the bereavement office at Musgrove or Darren Santiago (MEO) at Yeovil who will tell you exactly what is involved.

Further information can also be found at www.england.nhs.uk/establishing-medical-examiner-system-nhs/

Best Wishes,

Peter Campbell.

Lead Medical Examiner, Somerset Foundation Trust

Applications should be by email expressing interest, and brief CV, submitted by email to Peter Campbell ( peter.campbell@somersetft.nhs.uk ) by the closing date of Friday 5th January.

Interviews scheduled currently for Friday 19th January 2024