General Surgery Recruitment
General surgery jobs
in the NHS
From colorectal and upper-GI to breast, endocrine and emergency general surgery, Ava Medical connects consultant and SAS general surgeons with permanent and fixed-term NHS posts across England, Wales and Scotland.
About the specialty
General Surgery careers in the NHS
General surgery combines elective sub-specialty operating, emergency take and endoscopy — a broad, in-demand specialty where many trusts are actively building substantive consultant teams.
Training pathway
Training runs through the general surgery programme (ST3–ST8) with MRCS and FRCS examinations and sub-specialty fellowship. CCT or CESR plus GMC Specialist Register entry is required for consultant posts.
Typical employers
General surgeons are employed across teaching hospitals and district general hospitals, typically combining a sub-specialty elective interest with emergency general surgery on-call. Integrated surgical networks are increasingly common.
Grades we recruit
We recruit Consultant (CCT or CESR), Specialty Doctor (SAS) and Associate Specialist general surgeons, and assist senior ST6–ST8 registrars near CCT. We handle permanent and fixed-term (FTC) posts.
Roles we recruit
General surgery sub-specialties
Whether your elective interest is colorectal, upper-GI, breast or endocrine, we match you to the right unit, case mix and on-call rota.
Colorectal surgery
Benign and cancer colorectal work, including laparoscopic and robotic operating and emergency take — strong nationwide demand.
Upper GI & HPB
Oesophago-gastric, bariatric and hepatobiliary surgery in network and tertiary centres, plus general UGI in DGHs.
Breast surgery
Oncoplastic and benign breast surgery with MDT working — consistently hard-to-fill consultant posts.
Emergency general surgery
Acute surgical take, hot gallbladder and emergency laparotomy pathways — a growing focus for many trusts.
Why Ava Medical
Why general surgery doctors choose Ava Medical
- Doctor-only focus. We place doctors exclusively into permanent NHS and UK independent-sector posts — no locum churn, no commodity treatment.
- General Surgery expertise. We understand the difference between a colorectal cancer post, a UGI/HPB network role and a general DGH job with emergency take — and match on elective interest, on-call and service-development scope.
- CESR & IMG support. Overseas-trained doctors and those building a CESR portfolio get dedicated guidance on GMC application, evidence mapping and interview prep.
- Access to unadvertised roles. Many trusts approach us before posting externally — your CV reaches clinical directors ahead of the public field.
- Honest, senior-led advice. Jack Mann, Ava Medical's Managing Partner, brings more than ten years in NHS recruitment and thousands of doctors placed.
- Completely free for candidates. CV review, interview prep and contract support cost you nothing — all fees are paid by the hiring trust.
Pay & conditions
What you can earn
Consultant basic pay (2026/27). NHS consultants in England earn £113,565–£150,569 on the 2003 contract. Wales runs higher — up to £166,585 — and Scotland to £148,064, each on its own national scale.
Most consultants earn well above basic pay through on-call supplements, additional programmed activities, clinical excellence & impact awards, and the NHS Pension Scheme. Source: BMA consultant pay scales, 2026/27.
Explore more
Related NHS roles
Browse other specialties we recruit for, or see every current vacancy on the live board.
Common questions
General Surgery recruitment FAQ
Ready for your next general surgery role?
Upload your CV or browse live NHS vacancies. Our service is completely free for doctors — all fees are paid by the hiring trust.
Questions? Email jack@avamedical.co.uk or call 07814 506719