What is a hospital consultant?
They are the most senior grade of hospital doctor and are responsible for leading a team.
A GP can refer you to one and they will see you in an NHS outpatient clinic, or do an operation or procedure on you. Or, if you are admitted to the hospital in an emergency, you will be put under the care of a hospital consultant. In these situations, you should meet them at least once. They have ultimate responsibility for your care – and all the actions of their team.
In the UK, you have to go via your GP; you cannot refer yourself to a consultant.
Specialist vs generalist
They are usually a specialist in one part (or organ) of the body (e.g. heart, skin, kidneys) or one type of surgery (e.g. hip replacement). Others are more general, like working in Accident and Emergency or with the elderly.
Team leader
Each consultant heads a team of middle (called registrar) and junior grade doctors (junior doctor), nurses and other health professionals. They usually have a ‘base ward’ in a hospital. They look after you on their ward, or in outpatients, and many do procedures. A type of consultant called a surgeon can do operations as well. They all work with your GP to make you better.
Other roles
They have an educational role, as well as being a supervisor; teaching registrars, junior doctors, medical students and other staff.
Many also lead and take part in research. Or they may have management responsibilities, which include developing new services. These extra roles can be at a local (their base hospital), regional or national level.
Know how to contact them
It is important to know the name(s) of your consultant(s); whether you are an inpatient (in hospital) or outpatient. You should ask. Also, find out their secretary’s name, email address and number. You may need to contact them. If you have concerns that are not being addressed, arrange to meet your consultant via their secretary.
Consultants (and GPs) are paid well to take medicolegal responsibility for your care.
Summary
We have described what is a hospital consultant. You should not hold back from consulting yours via their secretary.
