ROYAL NATIONAL ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL NHS TRUST CONSULTANT SPINAL SURGEON JOB DESCRIPTION TRUST PROFILE The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital was founded in 1907 with the amalgamation of London s three specialist orthopaedic hospitals into one single centre of excellence. We can therefore trace our history back to 1838 when the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital was founded. The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust was formed in 1991 as part of the first wave of NHS Trusts. We provide a comprehensive range of musculoskeletal health care, ranging from routine secondary referrals to the most complex tertiary referrals. This broad range of musculoskeletal services is unique within the NHS. Our range of services includes Joint Reconstruction, Spinal Reconstructive Surgery, Bone Tumour and Soft Tissue Sarcomas (supra regional service), Peripheral Nerve Injury, Paediatric Orthopaedics, Congenital Deformity, and Complex and Revision Joint Work. There is also a dedicated Spinal Injury Service taking referrals from London and the South of England. There are 200 in-patient beds on the main hospital site at Stanmore, meeting patients needs of all ages. 30,000 out-patients per annum are seen at the Stanmore site and a further 30,000 patients per annum are seen at our Bolsover Street site in Central London. The main hospital site is located in Middlesex, within the strategic health authority for London. However, as a national and international centre of excellence, we treat patients from all over the UK and other parts of the world, many of whom are tertiary referrals for second opinions or for treatment of complex or rare conditions. Referrals from the primary care trusts only constitute 5% of our total activity. The combined revenue of the Trust is in excess of 75 million and we employ approximately 930 staff. THE FUTURE For a number of years the Trust has been striving to achieve support to redevelop its services and facilities. The Trust has obtained outline planning permission for a rebuild and a business case was submitted in April 2010 Continuing to retain its identity as a national and international centre of excellence for patient care. Developing the use of multi-disciplinary working and cross boundary collaboration. Emphasis on the patient being at the centre of all interventions, therefore providing a patient focused approach in the delivery of our care. The Trust is committed to continue to provide outpatient services from Central London and a strategy has been developed to redevelop the facilities on a new site. TRAINING & EDUCATION Teaching is inherent to the Trust s work and the specialist training provided across a range of disciplines is in great demand both in this country and abroad. We work closely with the on-site Institute of Orthopaedics and Muscular-Skeletal Science, which forms the hub of the 1
country s most comprehensive training programme for orthopaedic surgeons (20% of all UK orthopaedic surgeons receive training here). A wide range of postgraduate training courses is also provided such as Arthroscopy and Arthroplasty. Courses are run at our Postgraduate Medical Education Centre where the facilities include the Charles Lack Lecture Theatre which can seat up to 100 people, seminar rooms capable of seating 50, a learning resource room with the latest IT, and extensive audio visual facilities. The Postgraduate Medical Education Centre also houses the Trust s Medical Library. A wide range of post registration nurse and other professional training is provided in liaison with South Bank University, which has a campus on site. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT Our teaching and our clinical effectiveness are enhanced by our work in research and development and our academic links with University College, London. Research departments at Stanmore include the Institute of Orthopaedics and Muscular-Skeletal Science, the Centre for Disability Research and Innovation (CDRI), the Institute of Human Performance and the Centre for Biomedical Engineering. The Institute provides facilities and support for research and Institute departments engage in both laboratory and clinical research related to orthopaedics. Facilities include a library at Stanmore, an archive library at Bolsover Street, a large radiological museum at Bolsover Street, a pathology museum at Stanmore and medical photography departments at Bolsover Street and Stanmore. The RNOH has a well established Board of Clinical Studies, which has a remit to manage the research endeavour of the Trust and to ensure that all research carried out adheres to an agreed criteria and is of a high standard. This is a sub-committee of the Trust Board, and is chaired by David Marsh who is the Director of Research and Development). Research at the RNOH is organised into four centres: Rehabilitation and Human Performance Clinical Orthopaedics Cell and Molecular Pathology Implant Design Each centre is led by a convenor whose role is to ensure that effective communication links are in place, to disseminate information throughout their centre and to promote collaboration and multi-disciplinary working both within the Trust and externally with other institutions and organisations. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE The Trust reorganised its services into 2 Clinical Divisions in 2011. The Direct care Division and Clinical Support Division. Each Clinical Division is responsible for the management of the patients from the point of referral until discharge. Each Clinical Division has an elected Clinical Leaders with the sub specialties who represents each Unit, and a Service Manager who supports each Clinical Unit. The Units are not discrete in terms of practice; the work within the hospital is guided by the needs of clinical practice and multi-disciplinary management of patients. There are three clinical directors who report on clinical matters to the trust executive. 2
THE SPINAL SURGERY SERVICE The Service incorporates the Integrated Back Unit, the Spinal Deformity Unit and the Spinal Injury Unit. The Service has a long history dating back to 1954 and takes a wide range of patients of all ages. It is the largest unit of its kind within Europe, specialising in treating patients with a complex spinal conditions both congenital and acquired. The service has expanded considerably over recent years and provides unrivalled opportunities for research and development. It is well supported by junior medical staff and spinal fellows and also has an information technology facility, which allows both audit and clinical research to be undertaken. The service is enhanced by the provision of a dedicated adolescent unit and an Intensive Therapy/High Dependency Unit. The spinal injuries unit is a 24 bed unit taking referrals following spinal trauma. The unit caters for patients with or without spinal cord damage and has a fully dedicated multidisciplinary rehabilitation team. The ethos of the unit is to provide an integrated team, which takes the patient from their acute phase through rehabilitation to reintegration into the community. The unit is developing its services for further interventions to prevent complications and restore function. There are close links with the Institute of Urology within the University of London and has a jointly appointed Consultant Urologist as well as a neurourological research team, headed by Professor Mike Craggs. The Integrated Back Unit includes Rehabilitation, Pain management and Physiotherapy services, as well as Surgical Spinal Services, and the unit interfaces with the other Spinal Services in the Trust PARTICULARS OF APPOINTMENT This is a full time appointment (10 programmed activities). Applicants must be very experienced in the surgical management of complex degenerative spinal disorders. The orthopaedic and neurosurgical spinal consultants work closely together and there is opportunity for discussion of difficult cases in the weekly Spinal/Radiology conferences. It is not unusual for consultants to operate together and there is a good working relationship within the two directorates. In principle the service works on a Firm basis that is with one SpR or Fellow primarily allocated to an individual full-time equivalent. The post is at the grade of Consultant and will be appointed on the Terms and Conditions of the new consultant contract agreed nationally. The Surgeon appointed to the post [appointee] will principally be dealing with degenerative conditions of the spine. He/She would be expected to work in close co-operation with the present permanent staff, particularly with regard to the formulation of departmental and interdepartmental policies, clinical management and research. The post holder will also be part of the Spinal Injuries and Spinal Emergencies on Call rota. The successful appointee would be supported by additional junior staff recruited by the Trust and a dedicated secretary. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE This post is subject to the terms and conditions of service as agreed by the Hospital Medical and Dental Staff Whitley Council. This post is full-time or maximum part-time. If the appointee opts for maximum part time contract he/she will be required to devote substantially the whole of his/her professional time to the duties of the appointment. 3
Annual Leave/Study Leave The annual leave is 32 working days. Study leave consists of 30 days over a three-year period. Consultants are be expected to co-ordinate their leave. Six weeks notice of annual leave is required for theatre and clinic timetable setting purposes. Medical Examination and Immunisation It is a compulsory condition of acceptance of employment that on appointment the applicant is tested for Hepatitis B status. A medical examination may be required. FACILITIES Our main hospital site at Stanmore is located in extensive grounds set amongst beautiful green belt countryside. There is even a lake on site and a staff fishing club. We are, however, easily accessible from main roads such as the M1 the A1(M) and the A41. There is ample free parking on site. We are also within easy reach of London and there is a free bus service to and from the two local tube stations at Edgware and Stanmore. We have extensive sports facilities on site. In addition to the staff swimming pool, the fabulous ASPIRE National Training Centre was opened on the Stanmore site in 1998. Built with a National Lottery grant, this houses facilities such as an Olympic sized swimming pool, a gym and a dance studio, all of which are for use by both able bodied and disabled patrons. ACCOMMODATION Shared accommodation is available. Married accommodation may also be available and must be requested once appointment is confirmed. Note This job description can change in line with the service, teaching and research needs of the Trust 4
ROYAL NATIONAL ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL NHS TRUST CONSULTANT SPINAL SURGEON PERSON SPECIFICATION Consultant in Spinal Surgery Requirements Essential Desirable Qualifications/Training FRCS (Orth) or FRCS (SN) or Higher degree equivalent UKCCST and entry on Specialist Register 1 Year Spinal Fellowship Knowledge/Previous Experience Ability to offer expert clinical opinion on range of problems both emergency and elective within specialty. Ability to take full independent responsibility for clinical care of patients. Experience with degenerative spinal conditions Completion of Spinal Fellowship Experience in contemporary spinal surgical techniques Research Experience Demonstrate ability to carry out clinical research Peer reviewed publications Teaching Experience Experience of supervising junior staff. Ability to teach clinical and operative skills. Audit/Management Experience Involvement in the Clinical Audit process and an understanding of the aims thereof. Ability to organize and manage outpatient priorities, surgical waiting lists and operating lists. Skills a) Leadership skills b) Organisation skills c) Excellent communication skills verbal and written. Ability to work well as part of a team and to share and encourage good practice. Flexible/Adaptable. Excellent communication skills, particularly in dealing with families and clinical teams Special interest in complex Degenerative Spinal disorders Previous spinal research Ability to supervise postgraduate research. Experience of Audit Management Management course Other Requirements GMC Registration including entry on the GMC s Specialist Register Excellent ethical and professional standards Committed to continuing personal and professional development. Drive and enthusiasm. 5
JOB PLAN FOR THE NEW SPINAL CONSULTANT AM Monday Tuesday Wednesda y MDT Non working session Clinic Bolsover Street (except every 4 weeks when Stanmore clinic held) Ward round Flexible Clinic (am or pm Bolsover St) Thursday Friday MDT Clinic Bolsover Street Saturday Sunday PM Theatre (Two Sessions) Administratio n Non working session Flexible Theatre (third session of 3 Session List) Clinic Bolsover Street (all but week 4 - Stanmore ) 6