Job description

Job responsibilities

Job summary:

To work together with the other palliative medicine consultants in the provision of medical services to patients of St Elizabeth Hospice, Ipswich Hospital, James Paget Hospital and East Coast Community Healthcare and to support the related multidisciplinary staff. To develop services and improve integrated working between local Palliative Care providers (Hospice, Hospital and in the wider community of the Integrated Care Systems). This post will predominantly support provision of community palliative care services.

General

This post is 0.9 WTE. Terms and Conditions will be based on the current NHS Consultant Contract (see Job Plan below) with the postholders contract held at the Hospice. There will be honorary contract with the relevant partner organisations as required.

The new post holder will join a growing medical team who work collaboratively and supportively to cover services across the two service areas, and rotation of area of responsibility is usual.

Current Medical consultant provision is 4.9 WTE of which 0.2 WTE supports Ipswich hospital alongside another 1.65 WTE consultant. There will be cover from the other consultants for leave and as need arises. There are also 3 full time Nurse Consultants embedded within the team, one of whom provides clinical and service development support for Great Yarmouth and Waveney services.

There are two Specialty Registrars on the East of England Palliative Medicine Specialty Training Scheme. There are also four middle grade doctors providing support to both the IPUs as well as the outpatient clinical areas. There are 6 GP vocational training scheme doctors on attachment rotating with other specialties and two foundation year doctors.

The team works closely alongside the full multidisciplinary team including nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, healthcare assistants, nurse associates, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, counsellors, spiritual care workers and volunteers.

The On call commitment is currently 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).

Formal consultant appraisal is completed by the hospice appraisal team with St Elizabeth Hospice as the designated body and the Medical Director of the Hospice as Responsible Officer. The postholder will be supported through the appraisal and revalidation process.

All new consultants can be mentored by an established consultant within the organisation or by one of the consultants from the neighbouring Palliative Care service providers to enable them to settle into the post and to support them in their initial years as a consultant. Established consultants will also have access to mentoring or support as needed.

The postholder will have shared administrative support from a pool of administrators and will have a dedicated computer station in a shared office. Additional office facilities will be available if attending other sites of work. IT team support is available.

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 inpatient 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, with a comprehensive bereavement programme called LivingGrief that supports families across East Suffolk. It also delivers an education programme collaboratively with St Helena Hospice in Colchester and Farleigh Hospice in Chelmsford, 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. Active research links are being established with University of Suffolk (UoS), University of East Anglia (UEA) and University of Cambridge. A research facilitator works as part of the team supported by NIHR funding.

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. Outpatient clinics operate out of Beccles Hospital, the Louise Hamilton Centre in Gorleston, Martham Health Centre and the Pear Tree centre in Halesworth. 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. In Great Yarmouth and Waveney the hospice has representation on the Place Board. It is anticipated that the hospice will be fully represented on both Suffolk and Norfolk Die Well programme boards following the outcome of the ICB restructure.

The Hospice has a Chief Executive and a Senior Leadership Team which includes the Medical Director, Director of Care, Director of Income Generation and Chief Operating Officer.

St Elizabeth Hospice has 400 employees and 1,500 volunteers, including 800 volunteers in our 36 retail stores and two Moments coffee shops. We also have a social enterprise domiciliary care agency called St Elizabeth Care Agency, whose profits contribute to the hospices charitable funds.

Key responsibilities:

Professional and Managerial

1. On call will be based on NHS terms and conditions, and will be at 5% based on a frequency of 1 in 8. Should the frequency reduce then the availability supplement will be reiewed. 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. The job plan will then be reviewed to determine if a designated PA is needed for on call.

2. To assist in the supervision of junior medical and other staff in the hospice, ensuring that medical care and practice follow professional guidelines and St Elizabeth Hospice Policies and Procedures. This includes acting as named clinical supervisor for trainees on GP training scheme.

3. To support effective liaison and communication with relevant disciplines in respect of all aspects of palliative and end of life care.

4. To attend multidisciplinary team meetings at St Elizabeth Hospice or in the community (such as GSF meetings).

5. To establish and provide outpatient clinics and day services at St Elizabeth Hospice or at other community sites as required and to undertake domiciliary visits as necessary.

6. To be responsible with the other consultants for the admission, inpatient care and discharge of patients at hospice inpatient sites.

7. To develop and maintain knowledge and skills to a level appropriate to the responsibilities of the post.

8. To work with colleagues in the development and provision of education and training in palliative care at St Elizabeth Hospice inpatient sites, Ipswich Hospital, James Paget Hospital and the community.

9. To contribute to the initiation and conduct of research projects in Palliative Care. Any agreed research activity will be in discussion with the medical director with appropriate SPA allocated to support the research project from existing SPA allowance or additional SPA if part time employees. Sessions as researchers with local research units may require acting as principle investigator or chief investigator and to maintain good clinical practice (GCP) training.

10. To initiate and participate in audit and quality improvement activity regarding palliative and end of life care in the hospice, hospital and community, and participate in all aspects of the hospice governance programme such as incident review and responding to complaints and concerns.

11. To represent the Hospice on local and national bodies as appropriate.

12. Formal consultant appraisal for revalidation will be completed by the hospice appraisal team with St Elizabeth Hospice as the designated body with the Medical Director of the Hospice as Responsible Officer. The hospice supports the requirements for continuing professional development (CPD) as laid down by the Royal College of Physicians and is committed to providing time and financial support for these activities.

Person Specification

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Effective communicator.
• Able to work in a close-knit team and co-operate with all medical, nursing and other healthcare staff.
• Flexible, able to cover colleagues absence.
• Professional attitude towards work, reliability, good record of attendance and tidy personal appearance.
• Car driver with driving licence (driving will be an essential part of day to day work in this area).

Desirable

• Familiarity with information technology and general computer skills.

Management & Teaching

Essential

• Possession of basic management skills.
• Experience of postgraduate teaching.

Desirable

• Management course and /or qualification.
• Teaching skills course and /or qualification.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered medical qualification MRCP, MRCGP or equivalent.
• Full registration with GMC and name on Specialist Register for Palliative Medicine on date of taking up appointment.

Desirable

• Other Higher Degree or Diploma (eg Diploma or MSc in Palliative Medicine or MD).

Experience

Essential

• Wide experience in all aspects of palliative care, culminating in entry onto the GMC specialist register via CCT, CESR or European community rights.
• Experience in medical procedures such as paracentesis.

Desirable

• Experience of general medicine and other specialties such as oncology, care of the elderly, general practice.
• Advanced Communication skills course or qualification.

Administration & Audit

Essential

• Experience in day-to-day organisation of specialist palliative care services.
• Thorough understanding of principles of medical audit and quality improvement.
• Experience in undertaking and completing audit projects.

Desirable

• Familiar with current structure of NHS and conversant with recent initiatives and changes.
• Presentation or Publication of Audit results.

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

St Elizabeth Hospice

Address

565 Foxhall Road

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP3 8LX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.stelizabethhospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to attached job description for further information regarding the role of Occupational Therapist.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Registration with the Health Care Professions Council
• Member of the RCOT or equivalent professional liability insurance
• Evidence of up-to-date, relevant CPD

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable post graduate Occupational therapy knowledge and experience
• Experience of supervising, coaching and mentoring others
• Experience of supporting and delivering In-Service Training programmes
• Ability to apply developed knowledge and skills in order to demonstrate professional competence and fitness to practice
• Relevant experience to the role including assessment and management of functional ability
• Excellent knowledge of clinical risk assessment and risk management guidelines
• Awareness of current legislation
• Knowledge of primary care and community services

Desirable

• Post graduate training in palliative care

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Allied Health Professionals Suffolk CIC

Address

St Nicholas Hospice

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk

IP33 2QY

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.ahpsuffolk.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Clinical Governance Lead will provide visible leadership across clinical teams, driving the continuous improvement of St Nicholas Hospice Care (SNHC) patient and family services. They will ensure that the organisation delivers and develops high-quality, effective and responsive services that meet the requirements of statutory regulations. They will support the implementation of the hospices clinical governance framework, assist in the development and review of policies and procedures and embed a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• The successful candidate will
• hold a degree or equivalent healthcare professional qualification or experience, with registration with an appropriate professional body

Experience

Essential

• have experience of leading clinical governance, audit and quality improvement within a regulated healthcare environment
• have extensive knowledge of health and social care regulation and experience of contributing to a CQC inspection
• understand PSIRF and the key risks associated with clinical care
• have experience of developing clinical policies and delivering audit, quality improvement and staff education programmes
• be an effective communicator who can influence others and translate complex information into practical action and meaningful reports
• be organised, adaptable and confident managing a varied portfolio of work within tight deadlines.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

St Nicholas Hospice Care

Address

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk

IP33 2QY

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://stnicholashospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Strong corporate governance is essential to ensuring the Hospice operates with integrity, transparency and accountability while meeting its legal and regulatory obligations. The Corporate Governance Lead plays a pivotal role in supporting the Board and Executive team by providing expert assurance, independent oversight and professional challenge across corporate governance, data protection and organisational change. This role helps create the conditions for effective decisionmaking, responsible risk management and the successful delivery of strategic priorities in a complex and highly regulated environment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Demonstrable professional knowledge of
• data protection legislation, including UK
• GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a regulated healthcare or charity environment, working with Boards or governance committees, or leading organisational change or cross-functional projects would be advantageous.

Experience

Essential

• The successful candidate will
• have significant experience in corporate governance, risk, compliance or information governance within a complex organisation
• demonstrate strong professional knowledge of UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018
• have experience of applying information governance principles in practice
• have operated in, or closely supported, a statutory or advisory role requiring professional independence, such as a Data Protection Officer role
• understand corporate governance practices, including policies, risk management, incidents and assurance reporting
• communicate clearly and confidently with colleagues at all levels, including senior leaders, Board members and external regulators
• be highly organised and able to interpret complex legislative and regulatory information and turn it into clear, practical guidance
• demonstrate credibility, discretion and the ability to influence and challenge constructively.

Desirable

• Experience of working within a regulated healthcare or charity environment, working with Boards or governance committees, or leading organisational change or cross-functional projects would be advantageous.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

St Nicholas Hospice Care

Address

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk

IP33 2QY

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://stnicholashospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Income and Processing

Process and post all income to the CRM database (Donorflex), ensuring accuracy, correct coding, and adherence to agreed procedures

Manage all aspects of donation processing including card payments, telephone donations and thirdparty income streams

Administer and maintain Gift Aid declarations, ensuring compliance with HMRC requirements and accurate record keeping

Support reconciliation processes and work closely with Finance to ensure timely and accurate reporting for month-end and year-end

Download, import and process data from third-party platforms (e.g. online giving platforms), using excel ensuring accuracy and completeness

CRM and Data Management

Maintain accurate, up-to-date and compliant supporter records, including financial data, personal details and communication preferences

Ensure all data is handled securely in line with GDPR and data protection requirements

Support the ongoing development and effective use of the CRM system

Select and manage data segmentation for mailing and other fundraising activities

Liaise with Local Hospice Lottery over and supporter detail amends needed

Supporter Care and Communications

Deliver excellent supporter care through timely, professional and empathetic communication across phone, email and written channels

Act as a key point of contact for supporter enquiries, resolving queries efficiently and courteously

Produce personalised and accurate thank you letters and communications that demonstrate the impact of donations along with generating templated automated letters

Contribute to continuous improvement of the supporter experience and communication approach

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• English GCSE Grade 4 (C) or above (or equivalent)
• Maths GCSE Grade 4 (C) or above (or equivalent)

Experience

Essential

• Strong everyday Microsoft 365 skills, with solid practical experience using Excel, Word and Outlook
• Experience using a CRM system
• Experience managing data within a CRM system, including routine data imports and day-to-day database maintenance
• Experience in administration, including data and/or financial processing

Desirable

• Experience within a charity or fundraising environment
• Experience dealing with supporter or customer enquiries

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Strong written and verbal communication
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Ability to manage workload and prioritise effectively

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.

Employer details

Employer name

St Nicholas Hospice Care

Address

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk

IP33 2QY

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://stnicholashospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)