Medical Director / Consultant in Palliative Medicine
St Elizabeth Hospice
This job is now closed
Job summary
Arising due to retirement, St Elizabeth Hospice presents a rare opportunity to take on a senior role in an established and successful organisation. A substantive Medical Director post is available for a Consultant in Palliative Medicine. The successful candidate will join the hospices Senior Leadership team and lead an experienced Medical team, alongside delivering clinical sessions with a community focus.
Main duties of the job
This is an opportunity to be part of something special, building on the existing services and devising new services in two localities. The post holder will share corporate responsibility and accountability for the organisations strategic direction, development of hospice services, management of resources and delivery of hospice aims. Along with the Director of Patient Services, who is the Registered Manager (Care Quality Commission), the Medical Director holds continuing overall responsibility for the clinical management of patients within the hospice.
Working alongside our Director of Patient Services and the wider team, the postholder will ensure the best interests of our patients and their families are at the heart of our strategy. The post-holder will also be involved in influencing local strategy by developing positive working relationships, working with the local providers and commissioners across the Integrated Care System. The post holder is Caldicott Guardian for the hospice and Responsible Officer for medical appraisal and revalidation.
The successful candidate will be employed by St Elizabeth Hospice, supported by NHS Terms and Conditions. There is strong degree of flexibility in what sessions are available and we encourage interested candidates to talk to us about their ideal job plan.
Interview date - Tuesday 27 June 2023
About us
After more than 30 years of delivering excellent care, St Elizabeth Hospice continues to drive forward innovation and development of services. A CQC rated outstanding hospice on the beautiful Suffolk/Norfolk coast, this post supports the development of new models of care, both in the Ipswich and East Suffolk locality and further up the coast to the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area.
This beautiful area of the country supports a good work-life balance and is easily accessible to Cambridge, Norwich, London and beyond. There are strong links between local acute and palliative care providers and with University of Cambridge Medical School and University of East Anglia Medical School, and the new University of Suffolk with its Integrated Care Academy.
Date posted
05 May 2023
Pay scheme
Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade
Consultant
Salary
Depending on experience
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
B0291-23-0002
Job locations
565 Foxhall Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP3 8LX
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Summary
As part of our Senior Leadership Team, the post holder will share corporate responsibility and accountability for the organisations strategic direction, development of hospice services, management of resources and delivery of hospice aims. Along with the Director of Patient Services, who is the Registered Manager (Care Quality Commission), the Medical Director holds continuing overall responsibility for the clinical management of patients within the Hospice. Working alongside our Director of Patient Services and the wider team, the postholder will ensure that the best interests of our patients and their families are at the heart of our strategy.
The post-holder will also be involved in influencing local strategy for palliative care by developing positive working relationships, working with the local providers and commissioners across the Integrated Care System.
The post-holder will be managerially and professionally accountable to the Chief Executive.
Individual responsibility for clinical advice and decisions undertaken is required, the post holder will be supported through the clinical governance processes of the hospice. There is a shared responsibility for delivering quality outcomes through delivery of training and quality improvement activity.
With the executive leadership and management team champion positivity, inclusiveness and the organisations culture, in line with the hospices values.The post holder is Caldicott Guardian for the Hospice and Responsible Officer for medical appraisal and revalidation.
About our services
St Elizabeth Hospice serves the population of Ipswich, East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney, and supported almost 4,000 patients and their families last year. It was established in 1989 and has an 18-bedded in-patient unit in Ipswich as well as a substantial community team, a virtual ward and a 24/7 telephone advice line called OneCall which is at the core of the Palliative and End of Life Care Co-ordination Hub.
The hospice delivers outpatient clinics, therapy, counselling and physiotherapy services through daytime Community Care Units, with a comprehensive bereavement programme called Living Grief that supports families across East Suffolk. It also delivers an education programme collaboratively with St Helena Hospice in Colchester, and works with the University of Suffolks Health and Wellbeing Institute. The hospice is committed to encouraging Compassionate Communities as a public health approach to improving cultural confidence in supporting one another through the experience of dying, death and grief.
Since 2019, the hospice has been sub-contracted by East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH) to deliver specialist palliative care in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, six specialist palliative care beds within Beccles Hospital, a specialist community team and providing in-reach support to the James Paget University Hospital. Our strategic partner ECCH hold the contract for Community Services for Great Yarmouth and Waveney, as part of the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.
St Elizabeth Hospice delivers a transition programme for young adults moving on from the care of the local childrens hospice (EACH). This transition programme is called Zest and offers exchange days, medical support, social activity days and nurse-led short break respite care. There are currently 50 young adults registered with Zest and is being gradually extended to a wider geographical footprint.
In East Suffolk, the hospice works closely with Ipswich Hospital and is a full member of the Ipswich and East Suffolk Alliance, and the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Partnership (ICP).
St Elizabeth Hospice has 400 employees and 1,500 volunteers, including 800 volunteers in our 36 retail stores and three cafes.
About the team
The postholder will join and lead a growing medical team who work collaboratively and supportively to cover services across the two service areas, including for leave, and rotation of area of responsibility is usual. This post has arisen through retirement. The current consultant body is:
Dr Alison Blaken, Deputy Medical Director (Hospice and Ipswich Hospital)
Dr John Zeppetella (Hospice)
Dr Charlotte Williams (Hospice)
Dr Cecily Wright (Hospice and James Paget hospital)
Dr Claire Bates (Hospice and James Paget hospital)
Dr Gemma Ryder (Hospice)
Current Medical consultant provision is 4.3 WTE (Hospice) and 1.3 WTE (James Paget Hospital) and 0.2 WTE (Ipswich Hospital) with Ipswich Hospital supported by another 0.95 WTE consultant. There are also 3 full time Nurse Consultants embedded within the team, alongside specialty grade doctors, Specialty Registrars, GPVTS doctors and Foundation year doctors. The team works closely alongside the full multidisciplinary team including nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, counsellors, and volunteers.
The On call commitment is approximately 1 in 8 second on call with 5% availability supplement. This provides telephonic medical and symptom control advice to St Elizabeth Hospice, Ipswich Hospital, West Suffolk Hospital and St Nicholas Hospice Care in Bury St Edmunds, James Paget Hospital (Gorleston), and community calls in Suffolk and the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area. This may involve taking calls from GPs, hospital doctors, nurses or allied healthcare professionals. There is no formal expectation of face to face reviews on call but should the consultant be on site during that time then this time will be deducted from their clinical PAs in the next week and remunerated accordingly. There may be the need to do occasional first on-call on an emergency basis and this will be compensated by a PA off in lieu for each PA done as first on-call (week night equals 1 PA and weekend equals 6 PAs).
Medical Director Role
Oversee the hospices medical model that supports delivery of the organisational strategy while being flexible, responsive, safe and effective.
Leading positive transformational change operationally and across the health system.
Act as an ambassador for the organisation, patient advocate and champion the values of the organisation.
Influence and embed awareness, guidance and responsiveness to political/national policy, advising the organisation and health system on development of specialist palliative and end of life care.
Actively contributing to management and governance of the organisation by attending and contributing to Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Trustee Board meetings.
Act as an adviser to the CEO, SLT and Board, identifying risks, opportunities and solutions to existing or emerging challenges.
Ensuring provision of effective and transparent reports and assurance to the Board to enable Trustees to make decisions, carry out their responsibilities and deliver their duty of candour
To maintain a safe and effective medical model, ensuring that all members of the medical team receive annual appraisal and support them to meet their requirements for continuing professional development and revalidation.
To manage and supervise the medical team to ensure that medical care and practice follow professional guidelines and the hospice policies and procedures
To provide clinical leadership within the hospice governance framework, with specific attention to medicines management and infection control, and to work alongside colleagues to develop and quality assure hospice policies, procedures and services
To hold the executive lead for medical education and training, while supporting wider clinical and non-clinical education and training.
To be the executive lead for research work with external partners to develop the regional research portfolio and hospice research activity.
To support the hospice wide financial planning and management, including funding applications and business case development, and manage the medical team budget.
To act as Responsible Officer for medical appraisal and revalidation for St Elizabeth Hospice as Designated Body, for doctors with a prescribed connection, and overseeing transfer of agreed information for those doctors working at St Elizabeth Hospice with an alternative prescribed connection. Also to be Responsible Officer by agreement with St Nicholas Hospice, Bury St Edmunds and St Helena Hospice, Colchester.
Clinical Role
Working as a senior clinician, to participate in all aspects of specialist palliative care, including the care of patients in the Inpatient Units and Community Care Units, and supporting the Community Palliative Care Team.
To provide clinical leadership for the Medical Team and across the organisation as required. Working at all times within the policies and procedures of the hospice, reviewing same and contributing to their development as appropriate.
To provide clinical leadership within the multi-disciplinary Team meetings and to undertake out-patient consultations and domiciliary visits as required
Job plan and amount of clinical sessions per week to be agreed with the CEO, in coordination with the wider medical team. This may include working from home at times by mutual agreement.
To participate in and support clinical audit regarding palliative and end of life care across hospice, hospital and community.
To ensure high standards of evidence based practice and maintain knowledge and skills at a level appropriate to the post, in line with Royal College of Physicians recommendations on CPD. The hospice supports the requirements for CPD as laid down by the Royal College of Physicians and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.
To be committed to the GMC appraisal and revalidation process, including engaging in annual appraisal via NHS England with high quality supporting information, and providing evidence of membership of a professional medical defence organisation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Summary
As part of our Senior Leadership Team, the post holder will share corporate responsibility and accountability for the organisations strategic direction, development of hospice services, management of resources and delivery of hospice aims. Along with the Director of Patient Services, who is the Registered Manager (Care Quality Commission), the Medical Director holds continuing overall responsibility for the clinical management of patients within the Hospice. Working alongside our Director of Patient Services and the wider team, the postholder will ensure that the best interests of our patients and their families are at the heart of our strategy.
The post-holder will also be involved in influencing local strategy for palliative care by developing positive working relationships, working with the local providers and commissioners across the Integrated Care System.
The post-holder will be managerially and professionally accountable to the Chief Executive.
Individual responsibility for clinical advice and decisions undertaken is required, the post holder will be supported through the clinical governance processes of the hospice. There is a shared responsibility for delivering quality outcomes through delivery of training and quality improvement activity.
With the executive leadership and management team champion positivity, inclusiveness and the organisations culture, in line with the hospices values.The post holder is Caldicott Guardian for the Hospice and Responsible Officer for medical appraisal and revalidation.
About our services
St Elizabeth Hospice serves the population of Ipswich, East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney, and supported almost 4,000 patients and their families last year. It was established in 1989 and has an 18-bedded in-patient unit in Ipswich as well as a substantial community team, a virtual ward and a 24/7 telephone advice line called OneCall which is at the core of the Palliative and End of Life Care Co-ordination Hub.
The hospice delivers outpatient clinics, therapy, counselling and physiotherapy services through daytime Community Care Units, with a comprehensive bereavement programme called Living Grief that supports families across East Suffolk. It also delivers an education programme collaboratively with St Helena Hospice in Colchester, and works with the University of Suffolks Health and Wellbeing Institute. The hospice is committed to encouraging Compassionate Communities as a public health approach to improving cultural confidence in supporting one another through the experience of dying, death and grief.
Since 2019, the hospice has been sub-contracted by East Coast Community Healthcare (ECCH) to deliver specialist palliative care in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, six specialist palliative care beds within Beccles Hospital, a specialist community team and providing in-reach support to the James Paget University Hospital. Our strategic partner ECCH hold the contract for Community Services for Great Yarmouth and Waveney, as part of the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System.
St Elizabeth Hospice delivers a transition programme for young adults moving on from the care of the local childrens hospice (EACH). This transition programme is called Zest and offers exchange days, medical support, social activity days and nurse-led short break respite care. There are currently 50 young adults registered with Zest and is being gradually extended to a wider geographical footprint.
In East Suffolk, the hospice works closely with Ipswich Hospital and is a full member of the Ipswich and East Suffolk Alliance, and the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Partnership (ICP).
St Elizabeth Hospice has 400 employees and 1,500 volunteers, including 800 volunteers in our 36 retail stores and three cafes.
About the team
The postholder will join and lead a growing medical team who work collaboratively and supportively to cover services across the two service areas, including for leave, and rotation of area of responsibility is usual. This post has arisen through retirement. The current consultant body is:
Dr Alison Blaken, Deputy Medical Director (Hospice and Ipswich Hospital)
Dr John Zeppetella (Hospice)
Dr Charlotte Williams (Hospice)
Dr Cecily Wright (Hospice and James Paget hospital)
Dr Claire Bates (Hospice and James Paget hospital)
Dr Gemma Ryder (Hospice)
Current Medical consultant provision is 4.3 WTE (Hospice) and 1.3 WTE (James Paget Hospital) and 0.2 WTE (Ipswich Hospital) with Ipswich Hospital supported by another 0.95 WTE consultant. There are also 3 full time Nurse Consultants embedded within the team, alongside specialty grade doctors, Specialty Registrars, GPVTS doctors and Foundation year doctors. The team works closely alongside the full multidisciplinary team including nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, healthcare assistants, physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, counsellors, and volunteers.
The On call commitment is approximately 1 in 8 second on call with 5% availability supplement. This provides telephonic medical and symptom control advice to St Elizabeth Hospice, Ipswich Hospital, West Suffolk Hospital and St Nicholas Hospice Care in Bury St Edmunds, James Paget Hospital (Gorleston), and community calls in Suffolk and the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area. This may involve taking calls from GPs, hospital doctors, nurses or allied healthcare professionals. There is no formal expectation of face to face reviews on call but should the consultant be on site during that time then this time will be deducted from their clinical PAs in the next week and remunerated accordingly. There may be the need to do occasional first on-call on an emergency basis and this will be compensated by a PA off in lieu for each PA done as first on-call (week night equals 1 PA and weekend equals 6 PAs).
Medical Director Role
Oversee the hospices medical model that supports delivery of the organisational strategy while being flexible, responsive, safe and effective.
Leading positive transformational change operationally and across the health system.
Act as an ambassador for the organisation, patient advocate and champion the values of the organisation.
Influence and embed awareness, guidance and responsiveness to political/national policy, advising the organisation and health system on development of specialist palliative and end of life care.
Actively contributing to management and governance of the organisation by attending and contributing to Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Trustee Board meetings.
Act as an adviser to the CEO, SLT and Board, identifying risks, opportunities and solutions to existing or emerging challenges.
Ensuring provision of effective and transparent reports and assurance to the Board to enable Trustees to make decisions, carry out their responsibilities and deliver their duty of candour
To maintain a safe and effective medical model, ensuring that all members of the medical team receive annual appraisal and support them to meet their requirements for continuing professional development and revalidation.
To manage and supervise the medical team to ensure that medical care and practice follow professional guidelines and the hospice policies and procedures
To provide clinical leadership within the hospice governance framework, with specific attention to medicines management and infection control, and to work alongside colleagues to develop and quality assure hospice policies, procedures and services
To hold the executive lead for medical education and training, while supporting wider clinical and non-clinical education and training.
To be the executive lead for research work with external partners to develop the regional research portfolio and hospice research activity.
To support the hospice wide financial planning and management, including funding applications and business case development, and manage the medical team budget.
To act as Responsible Officer for medical appraisal and revalidation for St Elizabeth Hospice as Designated Body, for doctors with a prescribed connection, and overseeing transfer of agreed information for those doctors working at St Elizabeth Hospice with an alternative prescribed connection. Also to be Responsible Officer by agreement with St Nicholas Hospice, Bury St Edmunds and St Helena Hospice, Colchester.
Clinical Role
Working as a senior clinician, to participate in all aspects of specialist palliative care, including the care of patients in the Inpatient Units and Community Care Units, and supporting the Community Palliative Care Team.
To provide clinical leadership for the Medical Team and across the organisation as required. Working at all times within the policies and procedures of the hospice, reviewing same and contributing to their development as appropriate.
To provide clinical leadership within the multi-disciplinary Team meetings and to undertake out-patient consultations and domiciliary visits as required
Job plan and amount of clinical sessions per week to be agreed with the CEO, in coordination with the wider medical team. This may include working from home at times by mutual agreement.
To participate in and support clinical audit regarding palliative and end of life care across hospice, hospital and community.
To ensure high standards of evidence based practice and maintain knowledge and skills at a level appropriate to the post, in line with Royal College of Physicians recommendations on CPD. The hospice supports the requirements for CPD as laid down by the Royal College of Physicians and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.
To be committed to the GMC appraisal and revalidation process, including engaging in annual appraisal via NHS England with high quality supporting information, and providing evidence of membership of a professional medical defence organisation.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered medical qualification.
- MRCP(UK), MRCGP or equivalent.
- Full registration with GMC with licence to practice and name on Specialist Register for Palliative Medicine on date of taking up appointment, via CCT, CESR or European Community rights.
Desirable
- Other Higher Degree or Diploma (eg Diploma or MSc in Palliative Medicine or MD).
Experience
Essential
- Medical leadership or co-ordination in a significant capacity.
- Practice in palliative medicine at senior level for at least five years.
- Knowledge of agendas within the NHS which have a bearing on the strategic vision of Specialist Palliative Care.
- Knowledge of the voluntary hospice sector and its inter-relationship with other agencies.
- Knowledge and experience of clinical audit, research and development and evidence based practice.
- Experience and understanding of clinical governance.
- Responsible Officer training.
- Experience in leading organisational change and delivering innovative models of practice.
- Experience in handling clinical incidents and complaints.
Teaching
Essential
- Experience of postgraduate teaching.
Desirable
- Teaching skills course and /or qualification.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Commitment to the ethos of hospice care.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills .
- Skilled at highly effective leadership, negotiation and managing a complex team, utilising coaching and mentoring skills.
- Advanced analytical, numeracy and problem solving skills with a commitment to providing accurate and timely information to a high standard.
- High level of self-awareness and openness to self-improvement.
- Effective time management & working to deadlines.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multi- professional Team.
- Able to communicate across diverse groups and communities and evidence equality of opportunity in approach.
- Able to operate with courage and integrity in the face of emotive conflict and stressful situations.
- Drive, enthusiasm, resilience, determination and commitment.
Research and publications
Essential
- Knowledge of the principles of medical research and of the palliative care literature.
Desirable
- Research experience.
- Publication of research and /or review article(s).
Other
Essential
- Car driver with driving licence.
- PC competence.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered medical qualification.
- MRCP(UK), MRCGP or equivalent.
- Full registration with GMC with licence to practice and name on Specialist Register for Palliative Medicine on date of taking up appointment, via CCT, CESR or European Community rights.
Desirable
- Other Higher Degree or Diploma (eg Diploma or MSc in Palliative Medicine or MD).
Experience
Essential
- Medical leadership or co-ordination in a significant capacity.
- Practice in palliative medicine at senior level for at least five years.
- Knowledge of agendas within the NHS which have a bearing on the strategic vision of Specialist Palliative Care.
- Knowledge of the voluntary hospice sector and its inter-relationship with other agencies.
- Knowledge and experience of clinical audit, research and development and evidence based practice.
- Experience and understanding of clinical governance.
- Responsible Officer training.
- Experience in leading organisational change and delivering innovative models of practice.
- Experience in handling clinical incidents and complaints.
Teaching
Essential
- Experience of postgraduate teaching.
Desirable
- Teaching skills course and /or qualification.
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Commitment to the ethos of hospice care.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills .
- Skilled at highly effective leadership, negotiation and managing a complex team, utilising coaching and mentoring skills.
- Advanced analytical, numeracy and problem solving skills with a commitment to providing accurate and timely information to a high standard.
- High level of self-awareness and openness to self-improvement.
- Effective time management & working to deadlines.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a multi- professional Team.
- Able to communicate across diverse groups and communities and evidence equality of opportunity in approach.
- Able to operate with courage and integrity in the face of emotive conflict and stressful situations.
- Drive, enthusiasm, resilience, determination and commitment.
Research and publications
Essential
- Knowledge of the principles of medical research and of the palliative care literature.
Desirable
- Research experience.
- Publication of research and /or review article(s).
Other
Essential
- Car driver with driving licence.
- PC competence.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
St Elizabeth Hospice
Address
565 Foxhall Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP3 8LX
Employer's website
https://www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
St Elizabeth Hospice
Address
565 Foxhall Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP3 8LX
Employer's website
https://www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
For questions about the job, contact:
Date posted
05 May 2023
Pay scheme
Hospital medical and dental staff
Grade
Consultant
Salary
Depending on experience
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
B0291-23-0002
Job locations
565 Foxhall Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP3 8LX