BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION
TRUST
Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6NH
JOB DESCRIPTION
Locum Appointment for Training (LAT)/Fellow
Advanced Subspeciality Training
Retinoblastoma and Paediatric Ophthalmology
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JOB DESCRIPTION FOR LAT/Fellow PAEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY (Advanced Subspeciaility
Training)
Summary of Post
This is a 1 year training post based at the Department of Ophthalmology at Birmingham Children’s Hospital
NHS Foundation Trust to provide targeted training in Paediatric Ophthalmology. The post is designed for
experienced ophthalmic trainees or accredited ophthalmologists wishing to develop a special interest in
Paediatric ophthalmology. There will be good exposure to all aspects of paediatric ophthalmic practice, with
opportunities to develop sub-speciality interest within aspects of paediatric ophthalmology such as
retinoblastoma and ocular oncology, paediatric oculoplastics, ocular genetics and uveitis. The unit is run by
two full time ophthalmology consultants (Mr John Ainsworth and Mr Manoj Parulekar) and a third consultant
being appointed in summer 2011. The department is a national referral centre for retinoblastoma and
paediatric ocular oncology, and a supra-regional tertiary referral centre for cataracts, glaucoma, oculoplastics,
ocular genetics, neuro-ohthalmology and uveitis in children.
This post is part of the West Midland Deanery School of Ophthalmology Training Programme and has Royal
College of Ophthalmologists recognition for subspeciality training in paediatrics.
Birmingham
Birmingham is a progressive, modern city, located in the heart of England offering pleasant accommodation
and excellent civic infrastructure. There are good road, rail and air links and easy access to the countryside.
The International Convention Centre, Symphony Hall, National Indoor Arena and Art Gallery and several
Theatres are centrally located. Educationally there are many top grade primary and secondary schools within
the City of Birmingham, which consistently remain at the top of the league tables. Birmingham also offers an
excellent and wide range of University education not only within the city at the Universities of Birmingham,
Aston and Central England but also in its neighbouring cities and towns, including Coventry, Wolverhampton,
Walsall and Dudley.
The Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
The Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust comprises:


Diana, Princess of Wales Children’s Hospital, Birmingham.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for the whole of the city
The Children’s Hospital moved to a new site at Steelhouse Lane in the centre of the city in May 1998. This
marked the culmination of a long history of planning for a new Hospital to replace the overcrowded facilities at
its previous home in Ladywood. The relocation involved a £30 million redevelopment of the previous
Birmingham General Hospital site and has created a large, multidisciplinary, dedicated Children’s Hospital
with a capacity for almost 300 beds. Redevelopment included the construction of a new three-storey block
which houses radiology, a 20-bed intensive care unit and four of eight operating theatres. In addition to
upgraded clinical facilities, the site includes a parent accommodation block (Edward House), the James
Brindley Hospital School and a new Education Centre.
Although the Children’s Hospital is the site of the Trust’s management base, the Trust provides CAMHS at a
number of sites around the city.
The Trust provides secondary level paediatric services for the child and adolescent population of much of the
city of Birmingham, both in the hospital and through its community and clinical support services. It is also the
regional referral centre for the West Midlands region (population 5.2m) and many of its specialist services
extend their referral base beyond the regional boundaries.
In addition to general paediatric medicine, general paediatric surgery and community paediatrics, the clinical
services provided by the Trust include: Accident and Emergency Medicine; Anaesthetics and Intensive Care;
Bone Marrow Transplantation; Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery; Child and Adolescent Mental Health; Clinical
Psychology; Dermatology; Endocrinology and Diabetes; ENT Surgery, Audiology and Cochlear Implantation;
Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition; Haemophilia; Hepatology; Inherited Metabolic Disease; Neonatal
Surgery; Nephrology including Haemodialysis and Renal Transplantation; Neurology; Neurophysiology;
Neurosurgery; Non Malignant Haematology; Oncology; Ophthalmology; Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery;
Paediatric Dentistry; Plastic Surgery including Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery; Rehabilitation; Respiratory
Medicine and Cystic Fibrosis; Rheumatology; Thoracic Surgery. The Children’s Hospital is also a designated
supra regional centre for Retinoblastoma, Craniofacial Surgery, Complex Liver Disease, Liver
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Transplantation and Kasai portoenterostomy, and is currently designated as the only national centre for
paediatric small bowel transplantation.
There is comprehensive provision of diagnostic and support services including all aspects of paediatric
laboratory medicine, radiology and pharmacy. Therapy services include dietetics, physiotherapy, orthoptics,
occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy. Pastoral and social support is offered by a multifaith Chaplaincy, the bereavement support team and by the social work department.
The University of Birmingham
The Trust is a major contributor to the teaching programme of the University of Birmingham Medical School
and has close ties with the Health Care Faculty at the University of Central England.
Academically, the University is organized into seven faculties, one of which is the Faculty of Medicine and
Dentistry. This faculty is headed by the Dean and is administratively split into the Dental and Medical
Schools. The Medical School comprises six divisions encompassing 26 departments, which cover the whole
range of pre-clinical and clinical subjects. Interdisciplinary research is encouraged, as are links between the
clinical and basic science departments in other faculties. The Medical School is justly proud of its library and
reference facilities and has good working relationships with Trusts and Health Authorities.
The Institute of Child Health
The University Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (Director: Professor Ian Booth) is part of the
Division of Growth and Development (Director: Professor Martin Whittle, The Women’s Hospital). The
Institute of Child Health is part of The Division of Reproductive and Child Health and provides laboratory,
office and teaching accommodation for the academic department and is situated in the Clinical Research
Block, Whittall Street, adjacent to the Children’s Hospital. The Research and Development Directorate is
situated in the Institute of Child Health.
Paediatric Ophthalmology Services
The Eye department has a dedicated outpatient area, including orthoptics and optometry, and adjoining office
space. The department is well equipped with A and B scan, high frequency ultrasound, retcams, lasers, field
analysers and fundus camera. Surgery is carried out in a dedicated eye theatre (Theatre 5).
Staff
Consultants
Mr. John Ross Ainsworth
Mr. Manoj V Parulekar
Miss Fiona Dean
New consultant
Retinoblastoma Team
Dr Helen Jenkinson
Dr Bruce Morland
Dr Pamela Kearns
Dr Dan Ford
Dr Trevor Cole
Sarah Turner
Maureen McCalla
Carol Hitchcott
Kate Partridge
Emma Eardley
Emma B
Ophthalmic Surgeon
Ophthalmic Surgeon
Ophthalmic Surgeon to the Cranio-facial Service
Appointment in Summer 2011
Consultant Oncologist
Consultant Oncologist
Consultant Oncologist
Consultant Oncologist (Radiotherapy)
Consultant Geneticist
Senior Orthoptist
Retinoblastoma Nurse Specialist
Oncology Nurse Specialist
Clinical Psychologist
Play Therapist
Play Therapist
Orthoptic Team
Jacky Nolan
Head Orthoptist
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Clare Dewsbery
7 orthoptists
Dy Head Orthoptist
Optometry
Harpreet Phull
Bruce Fisher
Optometrist (Part time)
Optometrist (Part time)
Artificial Eye Service
Bryan Hyde Jones
Zoe Tennant
Wards and surgery
Most ophthalmology procedures are performed as day cases, with admission to the Surgical Day Care Unit
(Ward 16). Some of the Retinoblastoma day cases are done in Oncology Theatre, with admission to the
Oncology ward. Patients requiring overnight stay are admitted to Ward 5 or 9. The department has 5
operating sessions and 800-1000 surgical procedures are performed annually. There will be ample
opportunities for surgical training in this post, including cataracts, glaucoma, Oculoplastics, lasers and
strabsimus.
Outpatients
The unit receives approximately 2000 new referrals annually.
,
Tertiary services
The Unit provides secondary care to the city of Birmingham, and tertiary eye care to children across the West
Midlands and beyond. This includes tertiary referrals from other teaching hospitals. There is an active
paediatric cataract and glaucoma service, as also squint, uveitis, oculoplastics and neuro-ophthalmology
services.
Retinoblastoma service
The National Commisioning Group have designated Birmingham Children’s Hospital as one of the two
retinoblastoma treatment centres in the UK. The Retinoblastoma Unit in BCH manages a significant
retinoblastoma workload with up to 25 new cases annually, and enjoys an international reputation. In addition
there is an increasing number of non retinoblastoma ocular tumours seen in the unit in recent years.
Research
There is a very active research programme within the department that is predominantly clinical and the
successful applicant will be encouraged to take an active role. Trainees could expect up to 4-5 publications
during their time in the department.
Audit
The Directorate holds 3 monthly audit meetings and trainees are expected to contribute by performing and
presenting audit at these meetings.
On call commitments at Birmingham and Midlands Eye Centre, City Hospital
There are no on call commitments at the Children’s Hospital as all out of hours work is managed at the
Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre based at City Hospital Birmingham. The successful applicant will be
expected to participate in the city wide general ophthalmology on call rota (4 th on call) along with a junior
trainee, and supervising consultant.
THE POST
Contracted Hours
This rota totals a contracted 40 hour working week.
Timetable
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The postholder will have a formal educational contract with the department with a series of agreed achievable
goals that will include an audit project. The applicant will be encouraged to develop their personal portfolio
and attend appropriate courses and meetings for Continuing Professional Development. There is a
commitment to presenting a journal club every 3 months and to participating in the SpR training programme.
The fixed commitments of the unit are shown below
AM
Monday
JRA
Retinoblastoma
Operating list
New Consultant
Clinic
PM
JRA Clinic
Tuesday
MVP Operating list
Wednesday
JRA Clinic
Thursday
MVP Clinic
Friday
JRA Operating list
JRA Ocular
Genetics Clinic
once a month
MVP Retinoblastoma
Operating list,
Retinoblastoma MDT
New Consultant
Clinic
MVP Clinic
New Consultant Clinic
Retinoblastoma
Clinic
(JRA and MVP
alternate weeks)
MVP Neuroophthalmology
Clinic once a
month
MVP and JSB alternate
week Operating list
Trainee timetable
The successful appointee would have 2-3 operating sessions, 3 clinics, 1 ward consult session, 1 regional
teaching afternoon and 2 admin/study half days in a typical week. There will be ample opportunities to learn
orthoptic assessment of squints.
Clinical Governance
The appointee will be expected to participate in all aspects of the Clinical Governance structure developed by
the Trust to monitor, maintain and develop review and amendment according to the needs of the clinical area,
changing circumstances and service development the quality and effectiveness of care. The Trust is
committed to the development of medical staff through individual professional development a framework for
which has been systematically introduced in 2001. There is an expectation that all staff are involved in audit
of personal clinical practice as well as the involvement in departmental/speciality reviews; that they should
meet the requirements for Continuing Medical Education defined by the relevant Royal College (and for which
appropriate study leave support will be available); be aware of professional standards, the responsibility to
undertake safe and ethical clinical practice and the importance of responding promptly to any circumstances
which may result in increased clinical risk or adverse outcome. Funding is available for approved study leave
as defined in the Trust’s study leave policy.
Management
Clinical services have been divided into Five Clinical Directorates (see below): Each Directorate is led by a
Clinical Director, a Directorate Manager, senior nurses who are in turn supported by and Finance, Personnel
and Information departments.
Directorate 1:
Directorate 2:
Directorate 3:
Directorate 4:
Directorate 5:
Haematology, Oncology, Neurosciences, Laboratories, Pharmacy and Craniofacial.
Dermatology; Endocrinology and Diabetes; Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition;
Respiratory Medicine and Cystic Fibrosis; Rheumatology; General Paediatrics,
Nutritional Care, OT, Physiotherapy, Speech and language therapy.
Cardiac Services and Radiology, Theatres, Anaesthetics, PICU
General Paediatric Surgery; Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery, Orthopaedic and Trauma
Surgery; Plastic Surgery and Burns; Renal, Urology, ENT Surgery, Audiology and
Cochlear Implantation; Ophthalmology, Maxillo facial surgery, Oral Surgery and
Dental.
CAMHS
A lead clinician in specialty/sub specialty areas as appropriate leads individual clinical specialties within each
Directorate.
The Children’s Hospital is also a designated supra regional centre for Craniofacial Surgery, Complex Liver
Disease and Liver Transplantation, Epidermolysis Bullosa, Alstrom syndrome, paediatric small bowel
transplantation and Retinoblastoma.
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The Department of Ophthalmology forms part of Directorate 4. The current people for the various positions in
this directorate are:
 Medical Director: Dr. Charlie Ralston
 Clinical Director: Mr Harish Chandran
 Head of Retinoblastoma Service: Dr Bruce Morland

The Group Chairs hold monthly meetings with their Clinical Directors who in turn are expected to arrange
monthly multidisciplinary meetings within their specialty/specialties. The Group Chairs and the Directors of
Operations are members of the Trust's Executive Board, Chaired by the Chief Executive.
The appointee will be expected to take part in the delivery and development of clinical services within the
Trust's Service and Financial Framework and in line with the Trust's clinical strategy.
Equality and Dignity
The post-holder will be expected to adhere strictly to principles of fairness and equality in carrying out the
role. At all times the post-holder will be required to show respect for and maintain the dignity of patients, the
public and work colleagues.
The Trust will not tolerate any form of bullying or harassment, violence or aggression against its employees.
Communication (Staff with supervisory/managerial/leadership responsibility)
An integral part of the role of any manager or person with leadership responsibilities is to communicate
effectively with their staff and colleagues. It is an expectation of this role that resources and time will be
allocated to communicate fully with staff and involve them in the decisions affecting them.
Arrangements should be made to ensure that local and Trustwide matters are communicated and discussed
via appropriate means i.e. team meetings, written briefings etc.
Induction
It is the responsibility of every employee to participate fully in induction. A Trustwide induction course is held
monthly and local induction will be provided within your own place of work.
Appraisal and Performance Management
All staff will be expected to fully participate in the Appraisal/Performance Management process. This
obligation will include the preparation for and attendance at appraisal/performance management interviews
and completion of the associated documentation.
Health and Safety
You have a legal responsibility not to endanger yourself, your fellow >employees and others by your individual
acts or omissions. The post-holder is required to comply with the requirements of any policy or procedure
issued in respect of minimising the risk of injury or disease.
Confidentiality
Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of information collected within the National Health Service.
The unauthorised use or disclosure of patient or other personal information is a dismissible offence and, in the
case of computerised information, could result in a prosecution or action for civil damages under the Data
Protection Act 1984.
Further information
Further details may be obtained from
Mr Manoj Parulekar
0121 333 9465 or manoj.parulekar@bch.nhs.uk
Mr John Ainsworth
01213339465 or john.ainsworth@bch.nhs.uk
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BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL NHS FOUNDATION
TRUST
West Midlands Deanery
Locum Appointment for Training (LAT)/Fellow
Advanced Subspeciality Training
Retinoblastoma and Paediatric Ophthalmology
Applications are invited for this 12 month training post based at the Department of Ophthalmology at
Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to provide targeted training in Paediatric
Ophthalmology. The post is designed for experienced ophthalmic trainees or accredited ophthalmologists
wishing to develop a special interest in Paediatric ophthalmology. There will be good exposure to all aspects
of paediatric ophthalmic practice, with opportunities to develop sub-speciality interest within aspects of
paediatric ophthalmology such as retinoblastoma and ocular oncology, paediatric oculoplastics, ocular
genetics and uveitis. The department is a national referral centre for retinoblastoma and paediatric ocular
oncology, and a supra-regional tertiary referral centre for cataracts, glaucoma, oculoplastics, ocular genetics,
neuro-ohthalmology and uveitis in children.
The unit is run by two full time ophthalmology consultants (Mr John Ainsworth and Mr Manoj Parulekar) and a
third consultant being appointed in summer 2011. This post is part of the West Midland Deanery School of
Ophthalmology Training Programme and has Royal College of Ophthalmologists recognition for advanced
subspeciality training in paediatrics.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
LAT/FELLOW PAEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY
Criteria for Selection
Essential Requirements
Desirable Requirements
(Justifiable as necessary for
safe and effective
performance)
(A clear definition for the
necessary criteria)
(Where available, elements
that contribute to
improved/immediate
performance in the job)
REGISTRATION
Full GMC registration.
MEDICAL QUALIFICATION
MRCOphth or equivalent
GENERAL
Acceptance that the post
requires a strong service
commitment.
EXPERIENCE
Year 4+ SpR or year 5+ OST
Training Programme or
equivalent.
AUDIT
Experience in and
participation in departmental
audit.
CLINICAL SKILLS
Experience in working in a
busy outpatient department,
accident & emergency
department, and operating
theatres. Ability to
work/operate unsupervised.
TEACHING
Ability to teach junior staff.
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Willingness to seek timely
assistance from senior
colleagues when appropriate.
Ability to establish good
working relationships.
Flexibility.
MANAGEMENT
Good organisational skills
and time management.
MISCELLANEOUS
FRCOpth, FRCS Ed, MRCS
Ed, FRCSI, FRCS Glas
Basic experience of
paediatric ophthalmology
Cataract Surgery and
oculoplastic surgery to the
level of RCOphth core
curriculum or equivalent
Full UK Driving Licence.
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