University of Southampton
Faculty of Medicine (Clinical and Experimental Sciences Academic Unit)
Senior Lecturer in Neurology
and Honorary Consultant in Neurology
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
JOB DESCRIPTION
Introduction
The Faculty of Medicine, in partnership with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation
Trust, has created this post as part of a programme of expansion in Neurology. The successful
applicant will be expected to participate in, and help to attract support for, a programme of
research of international quality into neurological diseases. The post is best suited to a candidate
with a track record, or clear potential, in translational neurological research. The post-holder will
also play a role in associated undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and training. The post
holder will work alongside a dynamic clinical neurosciences research grouping in the Faculty of
Medicine in developing a world class neurological research program.
The University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a leading research-intensive University, a member of the Russell
Group and one of the top 100 universities worldwide. We deliver an excellent educational
experience, world-leading research and we are known for successfully commercialising that
research through enterprise.
This is an exciting time to join the University of Southampton. We have an aspirational University
Strategy (see www.southampton.ac.uk/strategy), setting out our ambitions over the next five
years. The strategy involves achieving a top 10 place in the UK for research, which we will achieve
by investing in the highest quality staff and facilities. We are also transforming the education offer
available to undergraduate and postgraduate students across the University, providing greater
flexibility and modular courses, with a strong international focus.
The Faculty of Medicine
The creation of the Faculty of Medicine has enabled us to build upon strong foundations of basic
research and clinical translation. Working with colleagues across the University and in the local
NHS we have strengthened our position as a renowned centre for translational research, leading
innovative learning and discovery for better health across the life course.
Key to the success of the Faculty of Medicine is the delivery of high-quality education for
undergraduate and postgraduate students, building on our partnership in biomedical research
with University Southampton Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and fostering new collaborations with
the physical sciences, including chemistry, engineering and computing. This new post will play a
key role in these developments.
Medical Education
We offer a range of undergraduate programmes: the BM4 programme, a graduate-entry four-year
programme which accepts 40 students per year; and the BM5and BMedSc programme which
accepts 200 students per year including approximately 30 students from a BM6 programme aimed
at widening access to a medical career. Science teaching in the first three years of the BM
programmes is delivered in the South Block of Southampton General Hospital as well as the Life
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Sciences Building on Highfield Campus. Clinical teaching takes place at Southampton General
Hospital and the adjoining Princess Anne Hospital, and in NHS Trusts and general practices
throughout Hampshire, Dorset, West Sussex and Salisbury.
In addition to the undergraduate BM programmes the School provides two Masters Degree
programmes in Public Health and Allergy.
Research and Enterprise
The Faculty of Medicine has a clear research strategy to investigate the biomedical basis of
common human diseases and to translate this into clinical practice. The Faculty’s research is
delivered through four Academic Units:
 Cancer Sciences
 Human Development and Health
 Clinical and Experimental Sciences
 Primary Care and Population Sciences
All research is organised and managed by these Academic Units, each of which has clear evidence
of international excellence. Each carries a significant degree of devolved responsibility for its
research budgets and grants, space, equipment and personnel.
The Faculty of Medicine Enterprise Strategy is fully embedded with the University Enterprise
Strategy with a multi-faceted strategy to provide a step change to its enterprise and innovation
culture, delivering global outreach, community engagement, innovative healthcare and policy. We
work with all stakeholders from industry and pharma to health providers and the community.
Working in close partnership with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust,
translational research is delivered through the Southampton Centre for Biomedical Research,
bringing together the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, the Clinical Trials Unit, two NIHR
Biomedical Research Units (Respiratory, and Nutrition Lifestyle), shadow Biomedical Research
Units in Cardiovascular, and Bone and Joint Disease, and the Cancer Research UK Experimental
Cancer Medicine Centre.
Clinical Neurosciences research grouping
The Clinical Neurosciences Research Grouping (Director, Prof Andrew Lotery) is a multidisciplinary
group working within the Clinical and Experimental Sciences Academic Unit (Head of Academic
Unit, Prof Donna Davies), in the Faculty of Medicine. The Group works at the interface between
fundamental neurobiology and clinical neurological and psychiatric disease and focuses on
translational and experimental neuroscience.
We integrate closely with the region’s major clinical services. The Wessex Neurological Centre has
a catchment of 3 million and provides extensive expertise in neurology, neurosurgery,
neurointensive care, neuroanaesthetics, neuroimaging, neurophysiology and neuropathology and
supports the academic development of clinical trainees. Mental Health provides psychiatric
services. The Memory Assessment and Research Centre (MARC) manages aged patients with
cognitive dysfunction, and the Southampton Eye Unit is the leading provider of eye care services
on the south coast. We are also part of the Southampton Neurosciences Group (SoNG) which
brings together neuroscientists from across the University with interests ranging from molecular
biology to psychology.
It is anticipated that the postholder will be able to attract research grant income to support
continuing and new lines of research. The postholder should be returned in the forthcoming
Research Excellence Framework as an active member of the research staff. In this context
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research performance is measured primarily in terms of publications in high impact factor
journals.
Southampton General Hospital hosts one of five Wellcome Trust funded Clinical Research Facilities
in the UK. This dedicated facility includes inpatient beds, day and outpatient suites, plus sleep,
environmental and physiology laboratories and provides a focus for high-quality clinical research.
Space
The research requirements and the academic unit of the successful applicant will determine the
space that is made available and its configuration.
CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT
Southampton General Hospital is a large hospital providing care for people in Southampton and
the surrounding area. In addition, the hospital offers specialist facilities to the population of
Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands. The site covers 37 acres and
at present there are 1100 beds. The hospital has the facilities of a modern teaching hospital.
The Wessex Neurological Centre, and the Regional Centres for Paediatric and Neonatal Surgery
and Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery are also located in the hospital. Other specialities on site
include: General and Vascular Surgery and Medicine; Ear, Nose and Throat; Orthopaedics;
Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation; Nuclear Medicine, Ophthalmology and Cancer Care.
Wessex Neurological Centre (WNC) / Neurosciences Care Group
With an annual turnover of £514.4 million (2010/11) UHS is one of the largest hospitals in the
country. It provides services to approximately 1.3 million people living in Southampton and south
Hampshire, plus specialist services such as neurosciences, cardiac services and children's
intensive care to more than 3 million people in central southern England and the Channel Islands.
UHS gained foundation trust status on 1 October 2011.
Every year our 7,500 staff:
 treat around 112,000 inpatients and day patients, including about 50,000 emergency
admissions;
 see approximately 375,000 people at outpatient appointments; and
 deal with around 110,000 cases in our emergency department
It is the Regional Centre for Neurosurgery, Complex Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology and
provides a wide range of specialist adult and paediatric services. These are hosted in the Wessex
Neurological Centre at UHS. Stroke Services, Clinical Genetics and Integrated Spinal Services are
also part of the Care Group.
The bulk of services are provided in a purpose-built block providing 46 Adult Neurosurgical beds
and 16 Neurological beds. The unit has a 13 bed Intensive Treatment Area (NICU). Stroke beds
and clinics are based within the main hospital building and have recently integrated services
previously provided by the local primary care trust.
All Neurosciences services are served by their own radiological facilities, which include two MRI
scanners, an interventional room, CT scanning and plain film modalities. The radiology
department is currently undergoing a £1.8 million capital expansion with the installation of 2 x 3T
MRI, new CT scanners and the installation of a PET CT planned for 14/15.
The Neurology service provides routine and complex neurology services for adults. The centre
has related disciplines including interventional neuroradiology, neurophysiology, neuropsychology
and neuro-rehabilitation. It has strong links with the stroke service.
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Neurosciences Activity
Dr Foster data reflects the fact that over the past 10 years Neurosciences has expanded its market
share and area coverage. This is consistent with the Trusts strategic ambition and 20:20 vision.
2011 /12 Activity
Day Case
1509
Elective IP
1563
Non Elective
2141
OP (total)
34963
Emergency activity in all areas has increased year on year and by 10% over the 12 months to yearend.
In order to respond better to this increase and to support our referring DGH’s the centre redesignating some of its surgical beds as a rapid turnaround Regional Transfer Unit. This took
place in September 2011 and on the back of its success we have implementing a similar model for
neurology regional referrals.
The Care Group Clinical lead for Neurosciences has recently been awarded the Health Service
Journal’s Clinical Leader of the Year award in recognition of the unit’s innovative approach to the
delivery of its services.
Staffing
Consultant Neurologists - Adult
Dr Jonathan Frankel / Parkinson’s disease
Dr Simon Hammans / Muscle and neurogenetics
Dr Ashwin Pinto /MND, epilepsy and myasthenia
Dr Haider Katifi /Peripheral Nerve
Dr Joanna Lovett / Neurovascular
Dr Martin Prevett / Epilepsy
Dr Lucy Kinton /Epilepsy Basingstoke
Dr Alan Turner / MS
Dr William Gibb / Movement disorders
Dr Christopher Halfpenny / MS
Dr Georgina Burke / Myasthenia and muscle
Dr Alice Manson / Movement disorders
Dr Christopher Kipps / Dementia
Dr Nic Weir/ Neurovascular
Dr Sarah Cader / MS
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Consultant Neruologists – Paediatrics
Professor Colin Kennedy
Dr Neil Thomas
Professor Fenella Kirkham
Dr Katherine Forrest
Dr Bridget Vollmer
Consultant Neurosurgeons
Mr. P Grundy - Oncology
Mr. N Brooke - Complex spine
Mr. E Shenouda - Skull - base and complex spine
Miss D Lang - Paediatrics and skull base
Mr. N Mathad - Paediatrics, skull base and neuroendoscopy
Mr G Vajramani - Functional Neurosurgery/Spine
Mr. O Sparrow - Paediatrics, neuroendoscopy and vascular
Mr. J Duffill - Vascular and oncology
Mr. Ali Nader-Sepahi - Complex spine
Mr. D Bulters – Vascular and Head Injury
Mr. A. Chakraboarty – Paediatric Neurosurgery
Consultant stroke physicians / Neurologists
Dr Pamela Crawford – Director
Dr Sue Evans- Consultant Stroke Physician
Dr Emma Wood - Consultant Stroke Physician
Dr Nicolas Weir – Consultant Neurologist
Dr Joanna Lovett – Consultant Neurologist (part time stroke)
Consultants Paediatric Neuro-oncology
Dr G Nicolin
A second post has recently been appointed.
Junior Medical Staff
There are nine neurology registrars and three ‘SHOs’. The registrars rotate to Portsmouth or Poole
annually for training. The junior medical staff work a full shift rota. Neurosurgery and neurology
juniors provide ward cover. There is a separate NICU rota.
Clinical Neurophysiology
Consultant Neurophysiologists
Dr Richard Van der Star
Dr Abraham Kurian
Dr R Arunachalam
Dr David Allan (Paediatrics)
Neuroradiology/Cross Sectional Imaging
The neuroradiology and MRI departments are on the ground floor of WNC off the entrance hall.
Consultant Neuroradiologists
Dr J Millar
Dr S Barker
Dr M Gawne-Cain (Paediatrics)
Dr A Ditchfield
Dr H Joy (Paediatrics)
Rehabilitation
Liaison service provided by Solent Healthcare.
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Specialist Nurses
There is a wide team of Specialist Nurses working within the centre for Head Injury, Epilepsy,
Neuro-oncology, Subarachnoid Haemorrhage and Multiple Sclerosis. An Advanced Nurse
Practitioner supports paediatrics.
Clinical Neuropsychology
Neuropsychology
Professor Rosaleen McCarthy
Dr Michelle Smith Clinical Cons Neuro Psychologist
Felicity Fincham Clinical Psychologist
Laura Brown Assistant Psychologist
Management
The Trust is managed in four Divisions which are then split into Care Groups. The Neurosciences
Care Group sits in Division D, which also hosts Cardio Thoracic, Vascular services and Trauma and
Orthopedics. The Division is also leading on the development of the Major Trauma Centre
following UHS’s designation for status in 2012.
The management team for the Care Group is
Mr. Paul Grundy – Clinical Lead
Ms Jacqui McAfee – CG Manager
Ms Helen Sabert – Acting Senior Matron
The post holder will be expected to participate in the medical contribution to management and
will be accountable to the Clinical Lead for their clinical duties.
DETAILS OF THE POST
Clinical duties:
The successful candidate will have one general neurology clinic each week at the Wessex
Neurological Centre, and a research clinic every fortnight. The post holder will be required to
participate in medical audit and continuing medical education, as well as continuing professional
development.
Training and research duties:
The appointee will be expected to take part in the teaching of undergraduate and junior medical staff
and also in the teaching of trainee neurosurgeons at all stages and participate in the teaching of
other clinical staff.
Administrative duties:
The post-holder will be required to undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of
patients.
Other duties:
From time to time it may be necessary for the post-holder to carry out such other duties as may be
assigned with agreement by the University. It is expected that the post-holder will not
unreasonably withhold agreement to any proposed changes.
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
Job Plan
It is recognised that the work programme for any new consultant taking up post will take time to
settle into a regular pattern. Therefore the job plan will be reviewed after three months through
discussion with your Clinical Service Director and with agreement by the University.
Weekly Timetable
The basic job plan consists of ten Programmed Activities – five academic and five clinical. The
programmed activities involving direct clinical care are summarised in the weekly timetable
example. It should be noted that the pattern of work varies over an 8 week cycle. They may not
be varied without the agreement of the Clinical Service Director and University. Except in an
emergency, the post holder must fulfil these commitments unless the appropriate Clinical Service
Director has agreed otherwise.
Day
Monday
AM
PM
Tuesday
DUTY
Academic activities
LOCATION
CLASS
Research clinic
with administration
Alternate weeks
No PAs
0.5
1
AM
PM
Wednesday
Thursday
AM
Outpatient clinic
UHS
DCC
1
PM
X-ray meeting at 2pm
and ward round
Clinical administration
UHS
DCC
0.5
DCC
0.5
SPA
1.5
AM
UHS
PM
Friday
AM
PM
CPD, Clinical
Governance and other
SPA
UHS
Total
5
Direct Clinical Care
Supporting
Teaching/Training
)
Research
)
Clinical Audit
)
Administration
)
Continuing Professional Development
PA
Total PAs
5
1.5 PA
3.5 PA
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Review
This job description and job plan will be reviewed each year by the post-holder and the Clinical
Service Director (or nominee), in discussion with the University. Local mediation and appeal
procedures will be followed in the event of any disagreement over proposed changes to the job
plan.
Where the post-holder manages employees of the Trust, he/she will be expected to follow the
local and national employment and personnel policies and procedures. The post-holder will be
expected to make sure that there are adequate arrangements for hospital staff involved in the care
of his/her patients to be able to contact him/her when necessary.
The post-holder will be responsible for the training and supervision of junior medical staff that
work with him/her and will devote time to this activity on a regular basis. If appropriate, the postholder will be named in the contracts of doctors in training grades as the person responsible for
overseeing their training and as the initial source of advice to such doctors on their careers.
RESIDENCE
Residence within either 10 miles or thirty minutes by road from UHS is a requirement of this post
unless specific approval for alternative arrangements is given by the Trust and University. The
post-holder should have a current driving license and his/her private residence must be
maintained in contact with the public telephone service.
VISITING
Candidates are encouraged to visit and should contact
Gail Walsh- PA to the CG Management team
Telephone: 02380 796388
(Gail.Walsh@uhs.nhs.uk) to make necessary arrangements.
Prof Andrew Lotery (telephone 023 8079 5049; email a.j.lotery@soton.ac.uk)
TIMING OF APPOINTMENT
Interviews will be held on 6 June 2013. We aim to have the successful applicant in post in early
summer 2013.
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