Job summary
This vacancy is for a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist based with the specialist forensic community service at Hollins Park, Warrington.
The service provides inpatient forensic stepdown and community follow up to patients on the secure pathway. The post has been developedfollowing an increase in female patients on the community caseload and the development of the Tennyson Unit into a dedicated inpatient female forensic stepdown service.
The postholder will lead the service provision for female patients across these services.
The post holder will have RC responsibility for the female forensic step-down unit (Tennyson) and community patients managed by the Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT). They will lead the well-established MDT which works across both the inpatient and outpatient caseloads. There is excellent support from a full-time specialty doctor and dedicated medical secretary.
The post holder will also lead on undertaking assessments for female patients referred to the service and will continue to develop links with secure services, the local authority and community services to further enhance the secure pathway provision for female patients.
Main duties of the job
The post holder with have statutory responsibilities as an RC. All inpatients are detained under the MHA and the majority are detained under Section 37/41 of the Act. In the community, patients are typically subject to a Conditional Discharge or a Community Treatment Order (CTO).
The post holder will lead the inpatient MDT and CPA meetings. Outpatient medical and CPA reviews will also be scheduled. The post holder will contribute to the weekly SCFT MDT meeting and referrals and allocations meeting held jointly for forensic stepdown services and SCFT. The postholder will provide medical oversight to the inreach caseload. The patients the SCFT are working with to support their discharge from hospital
Pre-tribunal, renewal of detention, pre-managers hearings, discharge planning and pre-discharge meetings and handover of care meetings will also be scheduled as required. The post holder will also liaise closely with other agencies including the Ministry of Justice and MAPPA and complete statutory reports.
The general weekly timetable will involve attendance at ward round meetings, CPA reviews, SCFT caseload review meetings, allocations meetings to review new referrals, professionals' meetings and assessments. HCR20 / other risk management meetings, attendance at Tribunals, managers hearings and handover of care meetings will also be scheduled.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Service Details
The inpatient forensic mental health service at the Hollins Park site, Winwick, Warrington has a 15 bedded male low secure unit (Marlowe unit), a 10 bedded male step-down service (Auden unit), a 16 bedded female low secure unit (Chesterton unit) and an 8 bedded female step-down service (Tennyson unit). The low secure inpatient services are part of a wider network of low secure care across the Northwest region. The male and female forensic step-down services support patients with more complex needs to gradually transition from secure inpatient settings into the community.
The Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT) is also based at the Hollins Park site and provides specialist forensic follow up and care coordination to patients who require intensive monitoring and support in the community following discharge from the secure pathway. The team also manages the outpatients who reside at the Crosby Womens Service, an enhanced 24 hour supported accommodation for women who have typically spent many years in inpatient secure services. The SCFT works closely with the inpatient units to support discharge into the community and with local mental health teams to support patients to transition out of forensic services.
The AED and acute general hospital services are located at Warrington & Halton Hospital and Whiston Hospital. The Trust has a fully established Liaison Psychiatry team at both acute trusts, that can help the wards in managing patients transferred to the acute hospital.
There is a secure division physical health service that oversees physical health care provision to the inpatients. This includes a weekly GP session and phlebotomy services.
Clinical Duties of Post Holder
The post holder will have both an inpatient and outpatient caseload. The model of care on the Tennyson Unit allows the posts holder and wider MDT to have worked closely with patients as an inpatient before their discharge into the community under the SCFT. The post holder will have RC responsibility for 8 inpatients on the Tennyson Unit, 6 outpatients at Stanley Road and 10 (+/-2) outpatients residing in the community. Outpatients are typically reviewed in their own homes with CPA meetings taking place
The SCFT also carries a caseload of around 50 patients who the team are working with to support their discharge from hospital. These are RAG rated depending on when discharge is planned and level of involvement (inreach working) with our team. These patients are located in secure services across the Merseyside and Cheshire area. The team will commence working with them 6-12 months ahead of discharge and have an active role in discharge planning discharge. The post holder will support the inreach working with the female patients who make up around 10% of the inreach caseload however such cases do tend to be more complex in nature requiring higher levels of assessment and input.
There is an average of approximately 1-2 referrals to the stepdown services and SCFT per week and 1 admission across the male and female step-down units every 2 months. The postholder will be allocated new referrals for female patients for assessment. There is an independent admission panel who oversee admissions to the stepdown beds and the postholder may be required to attend to discuss such cases.
In the community the postholder will work with patients to support them to move on to local mental health services when they no longer require intensive forensic follow up. We have developed good links with the local CMHTs in Merseyside and Cheshire and put in place arrangements to work together jointly to gradually transition patients on from our service. Decisions to move patients on are reviewed and agreed by the wider team.
The post holder will have statutory responsibilities as Responsible Clinician with regard to the Mental Health Act, reporting to the Ministry of Justice and implementing MAPPA arrangements. The post-holder will be expected to work collaboratively with the MDT, commissioners, and other stakeholders.
There is also the opportunity to discuss complex cases and share learning across the catchment area with regular peer review meetings.
General Duties To manage, appraise and give professional supervision to junior medical staff as agreed between consultant colleagues and the medical director and in accordance with the Trusts personnel policies and procedures. This may include assessing competences under the Modernising Medical Careers framework. To ensure that junior medical staff working with the post holder operate within the parameters of the New Deal and are Working Time Directive compliant. To undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients. To record clinical activity accurately and comprehensively and submit this promptly to the Information Department. To participate in service and business planning activity for the locality and, as appropriate, for the whole mental health service. To participate in annual appraisal for consultants. To attend and participate in the academic program of the Trust, including lectures and seminars as part of the internal CPD program. To maintain professional registration with the General Medical Council, Mental Health Act Section 12(2) approval, and to abide by professional codes of conduct. To participate annually in a job plan review with the clinical manager, which will include consultation with a relevant manager in order to ensure that the post is developed to take into account changes in service configuration and delivery associated with modernisation. To work with local managers and professional colleagues in ensuring the efficient running of services and share with consultant colleagues in the medical contribution to management. To comply with the Trusts agreed policies, procedures, standing orders and financial instructions, and to take an active role in the financial management of the service and support the medical director and other managers in preparing plans for services. Work Programme
It is envisaged that the post holder will work 10 programmed activities over 5 days. Following appointment there will be a meeting at no later than three months with the clinical manager to review and revise the job plan and objectives of the post holder. The overall split of the programmed activities is 7.5 to be devoted to direct clinical care and 2.5 to supporting professional activities (as per the Royal College of Psychiatrists recommendation). The timetable is indicative only. A formal job plan will be agreed between the post holder and associate medical director or clinical manager three months after commencing the post and at least annually thereafter. Applications for less than full time working are welcomed, and the job plan will reflect this.
On-call Arrangements
There is a 1:16 forensic on-call rota which covers Ashworth Hospital (HSS), Rowan View (MSU), Aspen Wood (Learning Disability LSU), Auden Unit, Tennyson Unit and the SCFT. Consultants are on-call out of hours for a week at time. An on-call supplement of 1 % is applicable to this rota. (Category B low frequency).
There are forensic ST and CT on-call rotas covering across all the services.
Please see the full job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Service Details
The inpatient forensic mental health service at the Hollins Park site, Winwick, Warrington has a 15 bedded male low secure unit (Marlowe unit), a 10 bedded male step-down service (Auden unit), a 16 bedded female low secure unit (Chesterton unit) and an 8 bedded female step-down service (Tennyson unit). The low secure inpatient services are part of a wider network of low secure care across the Northwest region. The male and female forensic step-down services support patients with more complex needs to gradually transition from secure inpatient settings into the community.
The Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT) is also based at the Hollins Park site and provides specialist forensic follow up and care coordination to patients who require intensive monitoring and support in the community following discharge from the secure pathway. The team also manages the outpatients who reside at the Crosby Womens Service, an enhanced 24 hour supported accommodation for women who have typically spent many years in inpatient secure services. The SCFT works closely with the inpatient units to support discharge into the community and with local mental health teams to support patients to transition out of forensic services.
The AED and acute general hospital services are located at Warrington & Halton Hospital and Whiston Hospital. The Trust has a fully established Liaison Psychiatry team at both acute trusts, that can help the wards in managing patients transferred to the acute hospital.
There is a secure division physical health service that oversees physical health care provision to the inpatients. This includes a weekly GP session and phlebotomy services.
Clinical Duties of Post Holder
The post holder will have both an inpatient and outpatient caseload. The model of care on the Tennyson Unit allows the posts holder and wider MDT to have worked closely with patients as an inpatient before their discharge into the community under the SCFT. The post holder will have RC responsibility for 8 inpatients on the Tennyson Unit, 6 outpatients at Stanley Road and 10 (+/-2) outpatients residing in the community. Outpatients are typically reviewed in their own homes with CPA meetings taking place
The SCFT also carries a caseload of around 50 patients who the team are working with to support their discharge from hospital. These are RAG rated depending on when discharge is planned and level of involvement (inreach working) with our team. These patients are located in secure services across the Merseyside and Cheshire area. The team will commence working with them 6-12 months ahead of discharge and have an active role in discharge planning discharge. The post holder will support the inreach working with the female patients who make up around 10% of the inreach caseload however such cases do tend to be more complex in nature requiring higher levels of assessment and input.
There is an average of approximately 1-2 referrals to the stepdown services and SCFT per week and 1 admission across the male and female step-down units every 2 months. The postholder will be allocated new referrals for female patients for assessment. There is an independent admission panel who oversee admissions to the stepdown beds and the postholder may be required to attend to discuss such cases.
In the community the postholder will work with patients to support them to move on to local mental health services when they no longer require intensive forensic follow up. We have developed good links with the local CMHTs in Merseyside and Cheshire and put in place arrangements to work together jointly to gradually transition patients on from our service. Decisions to move patients on are reviewed and agreed by the wider team.
The post holder will have statutory responsibilities as Responsible Clinician with regard to the Mental Health Act, reporting to the Ministry of Justice and implementing MAPPA arrangements. The post-holder will be expected to work collaboratively with the MDT, commissioners, and other stakeholders.
There is also the opportunity to discuss complex cases and share learning across the catchment area with regular peer review meetings.
General Duties To manage, appraise and give professional supervision to junior medical staff as agreed between consultant colleagues and the medical director and in accordance with the Trusts personnel policies and procedures. This may include assessing competences under the Modernising Medical Careers framework. To ensure that junior medical staff working with the post holder operate within the parameters of the New Deal and are Working Time Directive compliant. To undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of patients. To record clinical activity accurately and comprehensively and submit this promptly to the Information Department. To participate in service and business planning activity for the locality and, as appropriate, for the whole mental health service. To participate in annual appraisal for consultants. To attend and participate in the academic program of the Trust, including lectures and seminars as part of the internal CPD program. To maintain professional registration with the General Medical Council, Mental Health Act Section 12(2) approval, and to abide by professional codes of conduct. To participate annually in a job plan review with the clinical manager, which will include consultation with a relevant manager in order to ensure that the post is developed to take into account changes in service configuration and delivery associated with modernisation. To work with local managers and professional colleagues in ensuring the efficient running of services and share with consultant colleagues in the medical contribution to management. To comply with the Trusts agreed policies, procedures, standing orders and financial instructions, and to take an active role in the financial management of the service and support the medical director and other managers in preparing plans for services. Work Programme
It is envisaged that the post holder will work 10 programmed activities over 5 days. Following appointment there will be a meeting at no later than three months with the clinical manager to review and revise the job plan and objectives of the post holder. The overall split of the programmed activities is 7.5 to be devoted to direct clinical care and 2.5 to supporting professional activities (as per the Royal College of Psychiatrists recommendation). The timetable is indicative only. A formal job plan will be agreed between the post holder and associate medical director or clinical manager three months after commencing the post and at least annually thereafter. Applications for less than full time working are welcomed, and the job plan will reflect this.
On-call Arrangements
There is a 1:16 forensic on-call rota which covers Ashworth Hospital (HSS), Rowan View (MSU), Aspen Wood (Learning Disability LSU), Auden Unit, Tennyson Unit and the SCFT. Consultants are on-call out of hours for a week at time. An on-call supplement of 1 % is applicable to this rota. (Category B low frequency).
There are forensic ST and CT on-call rotas covering across all the services.
Please see the full job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
- MRCPsych
Desirable
- Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management
- Additional clinical qualifications
Eligibility
Essential
- Fully registered with the GMC with a license to practice at the time of appointment
- Included on the GMC Specialist Register OR within six months
- Approved clinician status OR able to achieve within 3 months of appointment
- Approved under S12 OR able to achieve with 3 months of appointment
Desirable
- In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice
Transport
Essential
- Holds and will use valid UK driving license OR provides evidence of proposed alternative
Clinical Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Excellent knowledge in specialty
- Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty
- Makes decisions based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others
- Able to meet duties under MHA and MCA
Desirable
- Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service
Academic Skills and Lifelong Learning
Essential
- Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training
- Ability to work in and lead team
- Demonstrate commitment to shared leadership & collaborative working to deliver improvement
- Participated in continuous professional development
- Participated in research or service evaluation
- Able to use and appraise clinical evidence
- Has actively participated in clinical audit and quality improvement programmes
Desirable
- Able to plan and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training relevant to this post
- Reflected on purpose of CPD undertaken
- Experienced in clinical research and / or service evaluation
- Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications
- Has led clinical audits leading to service change or improved outcomes to patients
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- MB BS or equivalent medical qualification
- MRCPsych
Desirable
- Qualification or higher degree in medical education, clinical research or management
- Additional clinical qualifications
Eligibility
Essential
- Fully registered with the GMC with a license to practice at the time of appointment
- Included on the GMC Specialist Register OR within six months
- Approved clinician status OR able to achieve within 3 months of appointment
- Approved under S12 OR able to achieve with 3 months of appointment
Desirable
- In good standing with GMC with respect to warning and conditions on practice
Transport
Essential
- Holds and will use valid UK driving license OR provides evidence of proposed alternative
Clinical Skills, Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Excellent knowledge in specialty
- Excellent clinical skills using bio-psycho-social perspective and wide medical knowledge
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
- Able to manage clinical complexity and uncertainty
- Makes decisions based on evidence and experience including the contribution of others
- Able to meet duties under MHA and MCA
Desirable
- Wide range of specialist and sub-specialist experience relevant to post within NHS or comparable service
Academic Skills and Lifelong Learning
Essential
- Able to deliver undergraduate or postgraduate teaching and training
- Ability to work in and lead team
- Demonstrate commitment to shared leadership & collaborative working to deliver improvement
- Participated in continuous professional development
- Participated in research or service evaluation
- Able to use and appraise clinical evidence
- Has actively participated in clinical audit and quality improvement programmes
Desirable
- Able to plan and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training relevant to this post
- Reflected on purpose of CPD undertaken
- Experienced in clinical research and / or service evaluation
- Evidence of achievement in education, research, audit and service improvement: awards, prizes, presentations and publications
- Has led clinical audits leading to service change or improved outcomes to patients
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
