Consultant General Surgeon S I Breast Surgery

Consultant General Surgeon s.i. Breast Surgery – Letterkenny University Hospital, HSE West & North West Region

37 Hours per week, no on call commitment

12 month Fixed Term Contract pending filling on a permanent basis

Letterkenny University Hospital welcome applications from qualified Consultant General Surgeons with a special interest in Breast Surgery

The Consultant General Surgeon with SI Breast Surgery will provide Breast Surgical Services at the Letterkenny University Hospital which is a satellite unit of the Galway University Hospital Centre of Excellence for symptomatic Breast Care.

Letterkenny University Hospital is nominated as the only satellite centre in the country outside of the eight National Cancer Centres of Excellence. The one-stop triple assessment clinic is scheduled two full days per week and is staffed by 2 Surgeons with Special Interest in Breast Surgery (1 of which is this post).

The Breast Care Centre North West links with Galway University Hospital at the weekly Multidisciplinary Team Meeting where all post biopsy and post-operative cases are discussed. Surgical treatment takes place at Letterkenny University Hospital and Galway University Hospital, with reconstructive surgeries requiring plastic surgical input taking place in Galway.

Details of the Service

To provide specialist care for patients with Breast conditions, most often Breast Cancer but also Benign Breast disease.

The main purposes of such a post are to:

· Diagnosis & Assessment
Work as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) to assess patients with breast symptoms.
Interpret imaging and biopsy results in collaboration with radiology and pathology.

· Surgical Management
Perform Breast surgery, ranging from Breast-conserving procedures (lumpectomy, wide local excision) to mastectomy.
Manage sentinel lymph node biopsies and axillary surgery.

· Patient Care & Support
Guide patients through complex treatment pathways.
Communicate diagnosis, treatment options, risks, and outcomes with sensitivity.
Provide long-term follow-up and surveillance for breast cancer survivors.

• Maintain throughout the Letterkenny University Hospital an awareness of the privacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities.

· Multidisciplinary Role
Collaborate with Oncologists, Radiologists, Pathologists, Specialist Nurses and Allied Health Professionals.
Participate in MDT meetings to decide on tailored treatment plans.

· Manage Key Performance Indicator (KPI’s targets)

• Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the core values of the Hospital.

The person chosen is required to support the principle that the care of the patient comes first at all times and will approach their work with the flexibility and enthusiasm necessary to make this principal a reality for every patient to the greatest possible degree

Clinical Duties

• Deliver specialist Breast Surgical services, including:
  Diagnosis and management of benign and malignant Breast disease.
  Taking detailed medical history and performing physical Breast examinations.
• Ordering, reviewing, and interpreting diagnostic tests (mammograms, ultrasound, MRI, biopsies).
• Co-ordinating with radiologists and pathologists for accurate diagnosis.
• Breast-conserving surgery, mastectomies, lumpectomies, sentinel node biopsy, axillary clearance, and oncoplastic procedures (as appropriate to training).
• Participation in multidisciplinary Breast Cancer care, working closely with Oncology, Radiology, Pathology, and Nursing teams.
• Manage the pre-operative and post-operative care patients, including outpatient clinics, ward rounds, and follow-up care.
• Ensure compliance with clinical governance, infection prevention, and patient safety policies.
• Contributing to Departmental KPI targets (e.g., waiting times, Cancer treatment timelines).
• Supporting the Hospital’s strategic goals in Cancer care and Women’s Health.
• Adherence to professional standards, ethical practice, and regulatory requirements (e.g., Irish Medical Council, Hospital policies).

Multidisciplinary and Collaborative Responsibilities

• Actively participate in multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings for Breast disease to ensure optimal patient management.
• Collaborate with colleagues across specialties to ensure integrated, patient-centred care.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to other healthcare professionals on Breast-related conditions and surgical management.
• Contribute to training, and supervision of NCHD’s (Non Consultant Hospital Doctors)
• Participate in Audits, Research, and Service Development to maintain high standards and advance Breast Surgery services

The Breast Care Centre
The Breast Care Centre is equipped with Hologic Digital Mammography with Tomosynthesis (2019 model) which also has a Brevara Biopsy attachment. In addition, there is a 2020 Philips Ultrasound Machine and Vacora Biospy Device.

Facilities are available for Breast MRI, wire and non-wire localisation, image guided core and vacuum biopsy and vacuum assisted excision.

Aligning with national / international guidelines where appropriate, the post holder will be expected to integrate the best of current knowledge & practice into the discipline in collaboration with their Consultant colleagues.

In 2024, there were 3643 patients seen at the LUH Breast Clinic, 2812 of those triaged as Urgent. Of those, there were 103 Breast Cancer Diagnoses with 102 diagnoses in 2023. Aligning with national / international guidelines where appropriate, the post holder will be expected to integrate the best of current knowledge &practice into the discipline in collaboration with their Consultant colleagues. Appointment of this Consultant General Surgeon with a SI in Breast Surgery post in permanent capacity will make a valuable contribution to shaping the longer term strategy of the Department and the continuation of Breast Cancer services at Letterkenny University Hospital

Reporting Relationship associated with the post:

The post holder will report to the Hospital Manager supported by the Clinical Directorate Structure currently in place with the Cancer NoC (Network of Care) on site at Letterkenny University Hospital

Remuneration

The annual salary will be as set out in the Public Only Consultants’ Contract 2023. Medical

Consultants Salary Scales from 1st June 2026:

€238,221 €251,098 €264,691 €271,846 €278,998 €286,151

Incremental credit is awarded in respect of previous experience at Consultant level.

Annual Leave

The annual leave associated with the post is: 30 Working Days per annum and as determined by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997.

Informal Enquiries

Mr Seán Murphy, Hospital Manager, LUH

Email: Sean1.murphy@hse.ie Tel: 074 9123501

Apply

Applications are welcome from suitably qualified candidates who are registered in the Specialist Division of the Irish Medical Council

Apply by email enclosing CV to:

Ms Siobhan Barrett Doherty, Medical Workforce Department, LUH at siobhan.barrettdoherty@hse.ie by 5pm on Friday July 10th 2026.