Ethics and professionalism: NHS Consultant Interview Questions

At consultant level this topic is dominated by equality, diversity and inclusion, the trust's values and personal insight. EDI was among the most frequently reported questions in the survey this bank is built on, and it is scored on the example you give, not the definition.

Updated 26 October 2026

How to answer

Define EDI in your own words, state your responsibility for it as a consultant, and give one real example from your practice with an outcome. Know the trust's values and have an example for each. For dilemmas, work through the obligations in order and involve the right people.

Frameworks: ETHICS for dilemmas (establish, think, hear, identify, choose, safeguard); STARR for values and EDI examples

  • ETHICS Establish the facts and capacity, Think through the four pillars and name the tension, Hear the other side fairly, Identify two or three options, Choose a patient centred action with the next step, Safeguard and document. Full guide →
  1. Asked in most interviewsUsually asked by the lay chair or non executive directorETHICS

    What does equality, diversity and inclusion mean to you, and what is your responsibility for it as a consultant?

    Define it in your own words, then give your responsibility as a consultant: fair treatment of staff, recognising inequality in access and outcomes, and acting when you see either. Give one real example from your practice. Panels score the example, not the definition.

  2. Asked in most interviewsUsually asked by the lay chair or non executive directorETHICS

    A trainee comes to you and says they have experienced discrimination in the department. What do you do?

    Thank them, listen, take it seriously, keep them safe, and know the route: the trust's freedom to speak up guardian, HR and the clinical director. Say how you would support them while it is dealt with and what you would do if the person named was a friend.

  3. Asked in most interviewsUsually asked by the chief executive or deputyETHICS

    Talk us through how you demonstrate this trust's values in your day to day practice.

    • Follow-up: Which of those values describes you best?

    Name the values, then give one example per value from your own practice, with the outcome. Read the trust's values before the interview; getting them wrong is worse than not knowing them.

  4. Often askedUsually asked by the consultant colleague in the specialtyETHICS

    How would you reach patients from marginalised or underserved communities who do not currently access our service?

    Name a specific group, say what the barrier is, and propose something practical: outreach clinics, interpreter services, community partners, data on who is not attending. Mention how you would measure whether it worked.

  5. Often askedUsually asked by the HR or people directorETHICS

    Our data show patients from minority ethnic backgrounds stay longer in hospital than others. What would you do about that?

    Treat it as a governance question. Ask what the data show and why, involve the equality lead and the patients affected, then test an intervention and measure it. Do not speculate about causes before you have looked.

  6. Often askedUsually asked by the clinical director or clinical leadETHICS

    Have you ever changed a patient's management because of an equality or diversity issue?

    A real example where a patient's background changed what you did: an interpreter, a different conversation, a change of plan. If you do not have one, say so and describe when you should have.

  7. Often askedUsually asked by the medical directorETHICS

    How do you know you are a good doctor? What evidence do you have for that?

    Point to evidence: outcomes, feedback, appraisal, colleagues' and patients' views, your own reflection and the mistakes you have learned from. Show humility and a habit of checking rather than confidence.

  8. Often askedUsually asked by the HR or people directorETHICS

    How do you recognise when you are stressed, and what do you do about it?

    • Follow-up: How will you prevent yourself burning out as a consultant?

    Name your own warning signs, then what you do about them: workload, sleep, exercise, talking to someone. Mention occupational health and the resources available to consultants. Panels want to know you will last.

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