Locum Consultant Psychiatrist - Depression & Bipolar (Research Centre)

Job summary

We are seeking a Locum Consultant Psychiatrist to join the Depression and Bipolar Research Centre, a new post created through funding from the Mental Health Translational Research Collaborative, which is establishing a national network of research clinics.

The post holder will play a central role in setting up the centre, providing clinical expertise, and shaping its medical leadership.

Once operational, they will support high quality clinical and research delivery.

The role sits within the AWP Research and Development Department, with reporting lines through the Medical Directorate.

The successful candidate will have experience in clinical trials involving depression or other mood disorders and will lead the development and operation of a research-focused centre for patients with difficult to treat depression and bipolar disorder.

This includes involvement in the setup and delivery of industry sponsored and university led trials as part of the Mental Health Mission network.

The Locum Consultant will champion mood disorder research across AWP, strengthening research culture and medical engagement.

They will contribute to strategies that expand research opportunities for service users and increase medical staff involvement, particularly within mood disorder pathways.

This innovative post, developed with Medical and Clinical Directors, aims to build medical leadership in research and support AWP's ability to deliver NIHR aligned studies.

Main duties of the job

The Consultant will deliver assessments to service users at a level of intensity according to need including those service users who require an assertive approach who are difficult to engage.

This will include on-going assessment, diagnoses (including review and clarification) and recommended treatment of mental and physical health needs.

• To provide advice to members of the Multi-Disciplinary Teams in the Depression and Bipolar Research Centre Team.
• Regular attendance at the Depression and Bipolar Research Centre Team MDT meetings.
• Assessment of outpatients in clinics.
• To visit patients in their own place of residence if clinically indicated.
• To liaise with other parts of the service and GPs and non NHS organisations wherever applicable.
• To liaise with the other AWP services as appropriate to facilitate the smooth handover of clients between services (as required)
• To provide medical and AC responsibility for patients from designated GP practices.
• To actively participate in team and personal caseload management and supervision.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices, NICE guidelines, and national frameworks.
• Offer specialist advice and guidance to AWP and ICB stakeholders.
• Support education and training efforts, including advice for capacity-building for multi-disciplinary trainees.

About us

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.

Please note that Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust is not currently a sponsor under the GMC Sponsorship Scheme.

As a result, we regret to inform you that we are unable to consider applications from individuals who require GMC sponsorship

Details

Date posted

25 February 2026

Pay scheme

Hospital medical and dental staff

Grade

Consultant

Salary

£109,725 to £145,478 a year per annum, pro-rata

Contract

Locum

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

342-LORVN126-RD-HA

Job locations

Gloucester House

Southmead Hospital, Southmead Road, Westbury-on-Trym

Bristol

BS10 5NB