Working as a Consultant in Wigan

Working as a Consultant in Wigan

At Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH), our Wigan division is a key part of the care we provide across Greater Manchester. With opportunities in inpatient Psychiatry, community mental health, and specialist services, Consultants in Wigan are at the forefront of delivering compassionate, high-quality care that truly makes a difference. Whether you're an experienced psychiatrist or starting your first Consultant post, Wigan offers clinical variety, peer support and space to thrive.

Why Wigan?

Wigan is a lively, welcoming town ideally located between Manchester and Liverpool. It offers the best of both worlds — easy access to two major cities, alongside affordable housing, green spaces and a close-knit community. The town is home to the modern Atherleigh Park Hospital, a flagship mental health facility, and is supported by a wide range of community teams serving a diverse and dynamic local population.

Living in Wigan means enjoying scenic walks, bustling markets, and excellent transport links — all while building your career in a friendly, supportive NHS Trust.

 

Your role as a Consultant in Wigan

As a Consultant in Wigan, you’ll lead care in one of several core service areas. In our inpatient and urgent care services, you’ll support patients with complex needs in settings like our Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), working alongside experienced nurses, Social Workers and Psychologists. If you prefer community work, our multidisciplinary teams offer recovery-focused care to adults and older adults with a broad range of mental health conditions.

You may also contribute to our specialist services, including early intervention in psychosis, ADHD and autism pathways, perinatal psychiatry, or memory and dementia assessment for older people. As a Consultant, you’ll act as the Responsible Clinician, manage clinical risk, chair MDTs, and play a leading role in local service development and transformation.

 

Flexible Working and Job Planning

We understand the importance of flexibility and balance. Full-time posts are based on 10 Programmed Activities (PAs) — typically 7.5 for direct clinical care (DCC) and 2.5 for supporting professional activities (SPA) — and we offer a range of flexible options including part-time working, compressed hours, and annualised contracts. On-call duties are non-residential and low frequency, and you'll be part of a structured medical rota supported by junior doctors and specialty trainees.

 

Research, Education and Development 

GMMH actively supports Consultants who wish to pursue education, research or leadership opportunities. You’ll have the chance to supervise psychiatry trainees and teach medical students from the University of Manchester and UCLan, with full support to become a named clinical or educational supervisor.

If research is your interest, you can engage with studies through the Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC) and use SPA time for service evaluation or quality improvement work. Many Consultants progress into clinical leadership roles, with dedicated programmes such as Role Model, Coach, Care, and clear pathways into governance, transformation or teaching positions.

 

Wellbeing and Support

Your wellbeing is a top priority at GMMH. From your first day, you’ll have access to regular clinical supervision, peer support and mentorship, as well as the Trust’s wide-ranging Wellbeing Hub. We also offer Schwartz Rounds, counselling, physiotherapy, and reflective support following challenging incidents.

The Wigan division is known for its collaborative, inclusive culture. You’ll work in a team that values openness and safety, where every Consultant has the opportunity to lead, influence and feel supported.

 

Practical Benefits

GMMH offers a generous annual leave allowance — 32 to 34 days plus bank holidays — along with up to 10 days of study leave per year, an annual £500 CPD budget, and structured support for revalidation and appraisal.

You’ll have your own office space, a laptop and phone, and remote access to all key systems to support flexible working. Administrative support is provided in line with Royal College guidance. Relocation packages are available, and on-call duties are paid with the appropriate supplement.

As a Consultant in Wigan, you’ll join a team committed to delivering the best possible care to the people we serve — while also shaping the future of mental health services in Greater Manchester. Whether you’re leading a new service pathway, mentoring the next generation of psychiatrists, or driving clinical improvement, your work here will have a real and lasting impact.