Job summary

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an enthusiastic and skilled Locum Consultant Spinal Surgeon to join our established and highly regarded Spinal Surgery team at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton. Working alongside seven specialist spinal surgeons and a wider multidisciplinary Orthopaedic and Trauma service, the successful candidate will provide a comprehensive spinal surgery service, delivering both elective and emergency spinal care to the population of Somerset.

This is a full-time post comprising 11 Programmed Activities (PAs) and includes participation in a 1 in 6 spinal emergency on-call rota. We welcome applications from suitably trained spinal surgeons from either an orthopaedic or neurosurgical background who possess advanced spinal surgery experience and a commitment to high-quality patient care, teaching, clinical governance, and service development.

The role is primarily based at Musgrove Park Hospital, with opportunities to work across other sites within Somerset and neighbouring services as required.

Main duties of the job

• Provide expert assessment, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up for patients requiring emergency and elective spinal surgery.
• Participate in the spinal emergency on-call rota, including management of spinal trauma and emergency admissions.
• Undertake elective spinal operating lists, outpatient clinics and emergency spinal clinics.
• Contribute to weekly multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings and collaborate with colleagues across radiology, oncology, microbiology, paediatrics and other specialties.
• Support the education and development of junior doctors, medical students and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Participate in clinical audit, quality improvement initiatives and governance activities.
• Undertake research activities and contribute to the continued development of spinal services within the Trust.
• Work closely with departmental and clinical leaders to support service planning and effective use of resources.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.