Job summary
Applications are open to add three Individual Funding Request (IFR) Panel members to our current pool. NHS England operates a national IFR Policy and Standard Operating Procedure for
the prescribed services it has commissioning responsibility for Specialised
Services, Armed Forces, Health & Justice and secondary dental services. A
national IFR Panel meets approximately 3 times a month to consider IFR
applications for a funding decision. NHS England are looking for a pool of
clinicians (either from acute providers or clinical commissioning groups/general
practitioners) who are interested in equitable distribution of resources,
familiar with difficult decision making and balancing the needs of an
individual against the opportunity costs to a population.
The appointment is offered on a remunerated sessional basis, for a period of 1 year. Two Programmed Activity (PA) Equivalent Per Panel meeting, up to four Panel meetings per annum, with employment remaining with the host organisation.
Main duties of the job
Experience is required across a range of specialties, although expertise in specific service areas is not required for the role, with individuals possessing sound critical appraisal skills. Individuals will be expected to attend mandatory introductory training to understand the IFR policy, practice and the requirement for fairness in resource allocation. Panel attendance for individuals will then be approximately one day per quarter with a days preparation. This time will be reimbursed.
About us
NHS England and
NHS Improvement came together on 1 April 2019 as a new single organisation. The
NHS Long Term Plan focuses on delivering integrated care to patients at the
local level and we can best support the NHS to deliver this as a single
integrated organisation.
Our new
operating model represents a strong shift to regional delivery supported by
expert corporate teams. Local health systems are supported by our integrated
regional teams who play a major leadership role in the geographies they manage.
Specialised
services support people with a range of rare and complex conditions. They often
involve treatments provided to patients with rare cancers, genetic disorders or
complex medical or surgical conditions.
We are jointly
committed to creating and maintaining a fair and supportive working environment
and culture, where contributions are fully recognised and valued by all and
staff feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities.
As employers we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and
mental health and well-being of all our staff. This underpins our values as set
out in the NHS Constitution, supports us to be an Employer of Choice and
ultimately enables our employees to support the effective care of our patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The IFR Panel works on behalf of NHS
England and makes decisions in respect of funding treatments for individual
cases. The IFR Panel will adhere to the published NHS England IFR Policy and
each request will be processed by following the NHS England IFR SOP. This will
ensure that all requests are considered in a consistent, fair and transparent
way, with decisions based on the available clinical evidence presented by the
treating clinicians and the NHS England commissioning principles.
The IFR Panel has a core membership
working on a rotational basis, including clinical leads, Patient and Public
Voice representatives, Specialised Commissioning Regional Medical Director (or
deputy), Specialised Commissioning Regional Director of Nursing (or deputy), Specialised
Commissioning Regional Programme of Care Lead, Public Health Consultant/Specialist,
Pharmacy Lead, and appropriate representatives from other prescribed services
as appropriate according the individual cases being considered.
The IFR Panel Clinical Member role will
involve:
- Providing
a clinical perspective within the IFR Panel meetings
- Understanding
the need to ensure value for patients and the public for the resources
available to NHS England prescribed services
- Participating
in IFR Panel meetings on a rotational basis
- Participating
in the mandatory NHS England IFR training sessions
All members of the IFR Panel will
contribute a professional and corporate perspective to the deliberations of the
Panel. They are expected to:
-
actively
participate in discussions so that a full discussion about each case takes
place, enabling a balance between the needs of the individual and equity and
fairness for the population;
-
support
consensus decisions that take account of any impact on individuals or other
agencies;
-
support
the decision making process of the IFR Panel so that it is equitable;
-
share
with the IFR team any learning gained to ensure that organisational learning
occurs.
The Clinical Member will:
-
receive
anonymised and appropriately redacted application forms and relevant copies of
any additional correspondence or reports which may be relevant to an individual
case prior to each meeting;
-
undertake
appropriate preparation ahead of IFR Panel meetings by fully reading and
critically appraising the documentation supporting each case;
-
participate
effectively in IFR Panel meetings, as described above, to help to ensure that
the decisions and recommendations of the IFR Panel are reached by consensus or
majority voting based on the information, evidence and any requested expert
advice provided to it;
-
ensure
the Chair is aware of any declarations of interest ahead of any case discussion;
-
be
expected to be available to attend the IFR meetings at least once a quarter.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The IFR Panel works on behalf of NHS
England and makes decisions in respect of funding treatments for individual
cases. The IFR Panel will adhere to the published NHS England IFR Policy and
each request will be processed by following the NHS England IFR SOP. This will
ensure that all requests are considered in a consistent, fair and transparent
way, with decisions based on the available clinical evidence presented by the
treating clinicians and the NHS England commissioning principles.
The IFR Panel has a core membership
working on a rotational basis, including clinical leads, Patient and Public
Voice representatives, Specialised Commissioning Regional Medical Director (or
deputy), Specialised Commissioning Regional Director of Nursing (or deputy), Specialised
Commissioning Regional Programme of Care Lead, Public Health Consultant/Specialist,
Pharmacy Lead, and appropriate representatives from other prescribed services
as appropriate according the individual cases being considered.
The IFR Panel Clinical Member role will
involve:
- Providing
a clinical perspective within the IFR Panel meetings
- Understanding
the need to ensure value for patients and the public for the resources
available to NHS England prescribed services
- Participating
in IFR Panel meetings on a rotational basis
- Participating
in the mandatory NHS England IFR training sessions
All members of the IFR Panel will
contribute a professional and corporate perspective to the deliberations of the
Panel. They are expected to:
-
actively
participate in discussions so that a full discussion about each case takes
place, enabling a balance between the needs of the individual and equity and
fairness for the population;
-
support
consensus decisions that take account of any impact on individuals or other
agencies;
-
support
the decision making process of the IFR Panel so that it is equitable;
-
share
with the IFR team any learning gained to ensure that organisational learning
occurs.
The Clinical Member will:
-
receive
anonymised and appropriately redacted application forms and relevant copies of
any additional correspondence or reports which may be relevant to an individual
case prior to each meeting;
-
undertake
appropriate preparation ahead of IFR Panel meetings by fully reading and
critically appraising the documentation supporting each case;
-
participate
effectively in IFR Panel meetings, as described above, to help to ensure that
the decisions and recommendations of the IFR Panel are reached by consensus or
majority voting based on the information, evidence and any requested expert
advice provided to it;
-
ensure
the Chair is aware of any declarations of interest ahead of any case discussion;
-
be
expected to be available to attend the IFR meetings at least once a quarter.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Senior clinician with leadership experience and credibility
- Experience of developing, applying and reviewing an evidence-based approach to decision making
Desirable
- Experience of participation on a local IFR Panel would be advantageous
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level in a medical/scientific/nursing/allied health discipline
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Senior clinician with leadership experience and credibility
- Experience of developing, applying and reviewing an evidence-based approach to decision making
Desirable
- Experience of participation on a local IFR Panel would be advantageous
Qualifications
Essential
- Educated to degree level in a medical/scientific/nursing/allied health discipline