NORTH OF SCOTLAND
PLANNING GROUP
Regional Clinical Lead for Neonatal Services
North of Scotland
A review of Neonatal services in Scotland was commissioned by the Maternity Services
Advisory Group in December 2006 and issued to NHS Boards in May 2009. A key
recommendation within the review was the establishment of 3 regional MCNs across
Scotland and subsequently a north of Scotland Neonatal MCN was established in 2011.
The Clinical Lead will have a critical role within the North MCN and will need to maintain
strong effective working relationships across the North of Scotland in order to ensure
the effectiveness of the MCN.
The successful post-holder will require the knowledge and skills to credibly champion the
cause of the speciality across the North. Presently operating at a senior level within the
NHS, you will have exhibited leadership potential during your clinical work to date.
Applications from all clinical professionals (medical, nursing, AHPs and midwifery) are
encouraged.
The appointment will be made on a secondment basis for a fixed term period of two
years, in the first instance, with a commitment of up to 8 hours per week.
For further information on this post, please contact Mr Keith Farrer, Programme
Manager on 07814141095 or email keith.farrer@nhs.net
Applications by CV should be submitted to the North of Scotland Planning Group
(nospg.cyp@nhs.net ) no later than Friday 13th June 2014.
Please quote Reference Number NOSPG/NS
North of Scotland Planning Group is a collaboration between NHS Grampian, NHS Highland, NHS Orkney, NHS Shetland,
NHS Tayside and NHS Western Isles
NORTH OF SCOTLAND
PLANNING GROUP
JOB DESCRIPTION
1
JOB DETAILS
Job Holder:
Vacant
Job Title:
Speciality Clinical Lead for Neonatology
Boards:
NoSPG-wide
Grade:
Location:
2
Dependant on successful applicant
Dependant on successful applicant
JOB PURPOSE
To provide clinical leadership to the North of Scotland Regional Managed Clinical Network (MCN) for Neonatal
Services and lead on the implementation of network aims and objectives ensuring:
3

The implementation of clinical quality standards recommendations in line with national policy, standards
and clinical evidence base.

The development, progression and review of a regional programme of work for the MCN.
DIMENSIONS
The North of Scotland Planning Group (NoSPG) is a collaboration of the six NHS Boards: Grampian,
Highland, Orkney, Shetland, Tayside & the Western Isles.
1.31m (25.4%) of the Scottish population live the in the North and the North accounts for 23.2% of
NHS Scotland staff and spend, although covers more than half the landmass of Scotland and includes
the majority of the most clinically peripheral areas of Scotland.
The North also hosts 2 teaching hospitals, 3 DGHs, 6 RGHs, a rural ADTC and a host of community hospitals.
The successful candidate will be expected to work closely with the other Speciality Leads in the North and with the
Speciality Leads for neonatology in the SEAT and West regions.
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ORGANISATIONAL CHART
NoSPG
NoS Child
Health
Clinical
Lead
Regional Neonatal
Clinical Lead
NoS Child
Health
Clinical
Planning
Group
Network
Manager
Line Relationship
Professional Accountability
NoS NHS
Boards
Director of
Regional
Planning
5
Scope and Range
A review of neonatal services in Scotland was commissioned by the Maternity Services Advisory Group (MSAG) in
December 2006 and issued to NHS Boards in May 2009. NHS Boards have been tasked with taking forward the
recommendations from the report. A key recommendation within the review was the establishment of 3 regional
MCNs across Scotland for neonatology services and consequentially a North of Scotland Neonatal MCN was
established in 2011.
The MCN clinical lead post is a critical part of the north network and the postholder will need to build strong
effective working relationships across the North of Scotland. A key part of the role will be the ability to influence
change and improve services within a complex healthcare environment.
The post is initially for a period of 2 years. The lead clinician has a critical role in the effectiveness of the MCN.
The post is a flexible commitment of 8 hours per week which may vary as needs dictate over the 2 years and will
be reviewed after the first year. The employing Board of the lead clinician will be recompensed financially for the
sessional commitment of the lead clinician.
Role of the NoS Child Health Clinical Planning Group
Regional Planning Groups work together over a range of initiatives, including planning of regional services,
working collaboratively to sustain services and to develop new and innovative approaches to healthcare delivery.
The North of Scotland Planning Group’s (NoSPG) key objectives are to sustain services as locally as possible, to
support remote and rural services and to work collaboratively where this will add value.
The NoS Child Health Clinical Planning Group (CHCPG) is a sub group of NoSPG and provides clinical and
professional advice to the Planning Group on the design, priorities and delivery of child health services on a
regional basis. The NoS Neonatal MCN is accountable report to the CHCPG.
Role of the regional Managed Clinical Network
The purpose of the network is to support and facilitate the delivery of consistent, equitable, provision of high
quality services to meet the needs of patients (babies) and their families.
The network will agree protocols and pathways for neonatal services. Care in the network will be provided along
clinical pathways which ensure that babies are treated appropriately and in accordance with the level of need.
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KEY RESULT AREAS
Clinical Leadership
1.
To provide effective clinical leadership for the MCN.
2.
To champion specialist services for neonatology in the North of Scotland for the benefit of the
population.
3.
To facilitate a networking approach for neonatology services on a regional basis, particularly but not
exclusively in relation to specialist services. This will include the implementation of a regional plan for
neonatology, which addresses how NoS NHS Boards can provide sustainable service provision.
4.
To develop agreed and prioritised plans for neonatology that will ensure sustainable access to services.
This may include identification of improvement required in general and secondary care paediatrics.
5.
To advise the NoS Child Health Clinical Planning Group on issues relating to the neonatology service in
the North of Scotland
6.
To lead the development of clear clinical protocols and patient pathways for neonatology. Where ever
possible ways should be found to overcome the difficulties posed by the remote and rural nature of the
region.
7.
To work with the clinical leads for neonatology in the West and in SEAT on issues relevant to
neonatology where the solution to an issue is national rather than regional.
8.
Support the development of an involvement strategy which takes account of the views of patients, carers
and interest groups. Involvement.
9.
To provide guidance and direction for the Network Manager on clinical matters.
Governance
10. To ensure the development, implementation and review of a systematic quality improvement programme
within an agreed quality assurance framework leading to the delivery of a safe and effective patient
centred service.
11. To ensure that all potential clinical governance issues are raised timeously with local Clinical Leads and
relevant NHS Boards and thereafter to monitor within the network that any such concerns are
adequately addressed. Accountability for clinical governance rests with the local NHS Board.
Education
12. To maximise the educational, training and learning potential of the MCN for stakeholders; clinicians,
families, carers, managers and partner agencies.
Planning
13. To lead across traditional organisational and professional boundaries, working collaboratively with all
relevant parties to achieve key strategic plans/objectives to drive forward service improvement.
14. To ensure that the MCN is fully integrated into local and regional planning processes.
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Assignment and Review of Work
The post-holder will be accountable to the Director of Regional Planning. The post-holder will jointly set
objectives for their service with their colleagues in neonatology.
The post-holder will work with the Network Manager for their service to ensure these objectives and milestones
are attained.
Personal terms/conditions and personal development objectives will be agreed in discussion with the Director of
Regional Planning and the NoS Child Health Clinical Lead. These will be jointly reviewed annually.
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Communication and Working Relationships
A group of clinical stakeholders for the service should be formed and will meet at least twice a year. This group,
under the leadership of the speciality lead, will oversee the production of a yearly report. Where necessary the
speciality lead will work with representatives from the NoSPG, NoS NHS Boards, other regional networks, Scottish
Government, particularly the Child & Maternal Health Division on issues relevant to their speciality service. The
post-holder is expected to develop close working relationships with the local Clinical leaders and Network
managers.
The post holder will develop effective professional working relationships with Network colleagues, a wide range of
clinical and other colleagues across NHS Boards, other organisations and external individuals, groups and bodies.
Communication








Key neonatal multi disciplinary team members within Boards across the North of Scotland and nationally
MCN patient/carers, other voluntary/statutory agencies involved in neonatology/maternity services
MCNs across Scotland, throughout the UK and wider
MCN specialist networks and groups
Regional Planning/NHS Boards/Operating Divisions
National Delivery Implementation Group, Scottish Government Health Directorates, NHS Quality
Improvement Scotland/NHS Education Scotland, Information Services Division etc
Higher Education Institutions, professional bodies etc.
National Neonatal Advisory Group
Methods of communication will include face to face meetings, telephone, tele/videoconference and email contact
as well as formal reporting to North of Scotland Child Health Clinical Planning Group.
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Most Challenging Part of the Job
The most challenging part of the job will be to:




Build and realise the benefits of this new way of working.
Deliver a programme of strategic change, leading across traditional professional and geographical
boundaries to gain commitment from individuals and service providers to deliver against agreed
objectives.
Ensure that MCN objectives and priorities are effectively aligned with regional and local service delivery
priorities and NHS policy and direction.
Achieve change in working practice to deliver new models of care.
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Qualifications and/or Experience Specified for the Post by the Employing Authority
The post holder will be a Clinician, registered with a relevant professional body, with extensive skills and
experience in the provision of neonatology services.
The post holder should have proven experience of leading effectively in a clinical setting, preferably across
traditional professional and geographical boundaries.
The post holder will have evidence of working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary groups to deliver agreed
objectives.
The post holder will have knowledge and experience of NHS structure and policy.
The post holder needs to have both the knowledge and skills to credibly champion the cause of child health
services across the North. It is anticipated that the post-holder will presently work at a senior level within the
NHS.
Essential skills: Influencing and diplomacy. Understanding of child health services, the forces and drivers and
challenges presented. Strong communication and engaging skills, with the ability to elicit and represent the views
of the North in local, regional and national arenas. Commitment to delivery, computer literacy and experience in
the use of a range of technological media.
The post-holder should be employed by a NoS NHS Board and their employer should be prepared to second the
post-holder for a minimum of 8 hrs per week, worked flexibly, for a period of 2 years in the first instance. The
post-holder should be willing to travel and preferably be a car driver.
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SIGNATURES
Job Holder’s Signature
Date
Senior Officer/head of Department
Date
Title
Date
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