GENERAL INFORMATION
THE HOSPITAL: Altnagelvin Area Hospital is the base and is situated on
the outskirts of Londonderry in an area of outstanding natural beauty. It was
opened in February 1960 and was the first new hospital to be built in the
United Kingdom after the Second World War.
It is the largest district hospital in Northern Ireland and has the widest range of
specialties outside Belfast City and Royal Group of Hospitals. The
Altnagelvin Hospitals Trust includes satellite facilities in the nearby town of
Limavady and on the Gransha Hospital site some three miles from
Altnagelvin.
There are approximately 450 beds on the site covering specialities including
Trauma and Orthopaedics, Maxillo-Facial surgery and Ophthalmology in
addition to the usual DGH specialities. It is designated as a Cancer Unit and is
potentially the trauma unit for the Western part of the province.
Altnagelvin Hospital has undergone refurbishment and continues to develop at
a significant pace. There are new Outpatients Department, X-Ray
Department, Intensive Care Unit, High Dependency Unit, Theatre complex
and purpose built Day Surgery Unit. The main hospital is due for extensive
redevelopment. A new purpose built rehabilitation unit for the Young Chronic
Sick patients has opened on the hospital site in April 2004.
The Pathology Laboratory offers a fully comprehensive service with each of
the major disciplines staffed by experienced Consultants supported by skilled
technical staff. There is an established and developing on site Chemotherapy
Unit. There is an established team of Consultant Radiologists with expertise
and facilities for the full range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
In addition to Conventional Radiography, Bone Density Scanning,
Venometry, Fluoroscopy, Computed Tomography (64 slice currently being
installed), Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound including Doppler, Digital
Angiography Interventional Radiology, Diagnostic Coronary Arteriography
and an MRI scanner are also provided.
With a well established “image link” to neuroradiology/neurosurgery at the
Regional Unit in Belfast, there is frequent contact between the hospitals. The
Radiology Department offers a wide range of conventional and interventional
radiology, which is increasing rapidly.
There is a dedicated Breast Screening Department, which also provides
facilities for a rapid access one-stop breast clinic.
There is a fully equipped Medical Photography Department.
The hospital provides a wide range of acute hospital services as below:
SPECIALTY
Anaesthetics
Full range of anaesthetic services
Dermatology
ENT
Ophthalmic Surgery
Oral Surgery
Cardiology
Gastroenterology
Respiratory
Rheumatology
Diabetes
Orthodontics
General Surgery
Care of the Elderly
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Orthopaedics
Paediatrics
Radiology
A&E
Pathology
Bacteriology
Clinical Chemistry
Haematology
Neurology
Urology
Palliative Care
Visiting Consultants also provide clinics in: 1. Neurosurgery
2. Paediatric Neurology
3. Clinical Oncology/Radiotherapy
4. Clinical Genetics
5. Plastic Surgery
6. Thoracic Surgery
7. Paediatric Cardiology
8. Restorative Dentistry
STUDY AND TRAINING: There is a Post-graduate Medical
Education Centre attached to the hospital, and a staffed Multi-Disciplinary
Library with comprehensive information services to support clinical practice,
teaching, learning and research.
Full participation in CME activities is encouraged, with study leave being
granted whenever possible.
LIBRARY FACILITIES: The MDEC Library is part of the N.I. Health and
Social Services Library system and provides services to Altnagelvin HSS
Trust, Foyle HSS Trust, Sperrin Lakeland HSS Trust and to Western Health &
Social Services Board as well as to anyone eligible to use the Queen’s
University Library. It is located in the Multi-disciplinary Education Centre on
the Altnagelvin Area Hospital site.
The MDEC Library provides a wide range of print and electronic material in
the areas of medicine, dentistry, nursing, allied health and social work.
Online Resources
HONNI (Health on the Net Northern Ireland)
HONNI is the website designed specifically for Health and Personal Social
Services (HPSS) staff in Northern Ireland. It provides a single access point to
relevant resources on Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Midwifery, Pharmacy,
Psychology, Social Work, Allied Health and Health Management. These
includes databases and electronic journals such as British Nursing Index,
Child Data, CINAHL, Cochrane, EBSCOhost, HMIC, MEDLINE, MIDIRS,
Otseeker, PEDro, OVID, Proquest Medical Library, ZETOC. HONNI also
provides HPSS staff with easy access from a single location to a wealth of
relevant information, including clinical guidelines and healthcare subject
gateways. Further information is available at http://www.honni.qub.ac.uk
ALTNAGELVIN HOSPITALS HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES TRUST
ALTNAGELVIN AREA HOSPITAL
JOB DESCRIPTION
1.
JOB TITLE:
CONSULTANT IN PAEDIATRICS WITH SPECIAL
INTEREST IN NEONATOLOGY
2.
JOB PURPOSE:
This is a new post created by a reappraisal of working
patterns. The successful applicant will provide optimum
quality of effective and efficient Paediatric services
within the contract resources available to Altnagelvin
Hospitals Trust
3.
JOB ROLE:
To share in the collective responsibility for the
provision of the services for patients within the
Paediatric Department. To provide leadership within
their own speciality team. To contribute to the
development of excellence in Clinical practice through
research, audit and undergraduate and postgraduate
training.
4.
THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT:
The Paediatric Department in Altnagelvin Hospital consists of the Children’s inpatient
unit, an ambulatory area with Day Case Unit, Outpatients, and a Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit, secretariat and consultant offices. Office accommodation with a personal
computer and full internet/ IT support will be provided along with dedicated
secretarial support.
The hospital is in the process of major hospital re-build with the development of a
large comprehensive children’s unit, situated on 2 floors of the existing tower block.
There will be a newly designed and constructed Maternity unit with an integral
Neonatal unit adjacent to the children’s unit. This new Neonatal unit creates no
immediate change in the cot or staffing levels but is designed to adapt to future
demands. Currently there is a full time neonatologist in post.
The children’s inpatient unit has 42 beds, used flexibly for medical, surgical and
orthopaedic children. There is a separate infant area with 12 cots for infants up to 6
months of age. The neonatal unit has 3 intensive care cots and 16 high dependency
cots. This delivers a service to almost 2,600 in house births per year, and high risk
delivery for some of the smaller surrounding hospitals. One exciting development has
been the provision of Neonatal care to the North Western Health Board of the
Republic of Ireland from 2000, this now provides about 50% of our work.
Paediatric Intensive care is available at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children
70 miles away. We work closely with our anaesthetic colleagues in the event of a
child requiring PICU with a joint transfer protocol between the two specialties. Dr
Patrick Stewart is a PICU trained anaesthetist who provides a clinical lead within
anaesthetics to this area.
The ambulatory unit consists of a Day Case area, which has an throughput of
approximately 3,000 per year, a dedicated Paediatric Outpatients area, a 3 bedded
transitional care unit to facilitate discharge of highly technologically dependent
children, the paediatric secretariat and offices for medical staff and nurse specialists.
The Transitional Care Unit comprises the in-hospital base for a multidisciplinary
team of nurses and carers facilitating discharge, providing respite and supervising
home ventilated and other highly technologically dependent children.
The Outpatients Department facilitates all general paediatric outpatients, secondary
specialists clinics in diabetes, asthma, epilepsy and gastroenterology, and regional
specialty outreach in Genetics, Cardiology and Neurology.
The Paediatric Department also provides paediatric cover for the Accident And
Emergency Department for those cases requiring a specialist opinion.
The Paediatric Department is well supported by all the major specialties in
Altnagelvin, particularly surgery and radiology.
5.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY
Prime responsibility is for patient care, best diagnosis and team leadership.
The successful applicant will also be involved in Clinical Governance,
education and training.
6.
KEY CLINICAL TASKS
6.1 The prime clinical responsibility is to be accountable for the continuous care
of his/her patients and, as part of this responsibility, undertake shared rota
arrangements for the Acute Paediatric Rota ensuring appropriate standards of
care for patients and standards of education for junior staff at all times.
Will promote and develop multidisciplinary teamwork within the specialty
and will communicate effectively with all agencies and personnel involved in
providing Paediatric services.
6.2 Will work together with his/her Paediatric colleagues in the further
development of Paediatric services in the area.
6.3 Will be responsible for providing procedures relating to the specialty and will
develop same in keeping with medical advances.
7.
KEY ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
The department will have 7 full-time Consultant Paediatricians. We also have
a 1 full-time Staff Grade. Training grades include 5 SpR’s and 2 second term
SHO’s appointed centrally and 8 1st term SHOs.
8.
STAFFING:
The Directorate of Women and children is lead by a
Clinical Director – currently Dr Michael Parker, an obstetrician. Facilities
include departmental offices and secretary.
The current establishment of Paediatric Posts is: Dr Des Brown
Dr Brian McCord
Dr Neil Corrigan
Dr Cameron Imrie
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
Neonatologist
College Tutor/asthma
Epilepsy
Gastroenterology
Neonatology
Diabetes
To be developed
Dr Freda Mooney
Staff Grade
Middle Grade posts:
SpR posts x5
Experienced SHO x2
On a full shift rota
All RCPCH approved
All RCPCH approved
First term posts:
SHO x8
GPVTS x3, Foundation Year 2 x2
9.
All RCPCH approved
DUTIES OF THE POST:
This is a new post. The successful applicant will take on general paediatric
duties and have a special interest in Neonatology. He/she will have
responsibility for inpatient children admitted under their care and take part in a
‘Ward Chief’ programme for acute paediatrics admissions. There will also be
the opportunity to manage children as outpatients using our dedicated
paediatric day case unit. He/she will have outpatient sessions in new and
review general paediatrics as well as specific Neonatal duties. The successful
candidate will be encouraged to continue to develop the service. On call will
also include cover general paediatrics and neonatal intensive care. The job
plan includes a session of neonates and a weekly perinatal education meeting
in conjunction with our obstetric colleagues.
10.
ON CALL COMMITMENT:
The appointee will be expected to take part in the non-residential night and
weekend on-call rota on a 1:7 basis. This will entail cover for general
paediatric inpatients, neonatal intensive care and emergencies in A & E and
Labour Ward. They will supervise “SHO” and “Registrar” tiers of on-call.
11.
The Consultants’ clinical and other work will be as outlined in the following
job plan.
11.1 JOB PLAN:
Following expansion within the department, reorganisation of the Job Plans
will be anticipated.
The Job Plan will be based on 10 Programmed Activities; however, to
maintain existing service, additional Programmed Activities are available
subject to negotiation.
The proposed Fixed Sessions include: Monday
Monday
AM
PM
Ward Round
SPA
(1.0)
(1.0)
Tuesday
Tuesday
AM
PM
NICU Ward Round
Neonatal Follow Up
Neonatal admin
(1.0)
(0.5)
(0.5)
Wednesday
Wednesday
Wednesday
AM
12 PM
PM
Ward Round
Perinatal meeting/SPA
Clinical administration
(0.75)
(0.25)
(1.0)
Thursday
Thursday
AM
PM
Off in lieu on call
Off in lieu on call
(1.0)
(1.0)
Friday
Friday
Friday
AM
12PM
PM
NICU ward Round
Clinical teaching / SPA
SPA
(0.75)
(0.25)
(1.0)
The above timetable is an example only to represent the average weeks duties.
Every 6th week will be as Ward Chief with 10 fixed sessions and this will be
recognised in job planning. Out of hours PA’s are estimated at 2 per week
SPA allowance is 2.5 PA’s to allow for CPD, Audit, Clinical governance,
Management, Administration, Education, Training and Research. NICU
special interest is supported by 2.25 PAs.
The job plan is subject to renegotiation annually with the clinical Director as
part of the appraisal process. Any changes are by agreement within the
department.
12.
INFORMATION
The post holder will liaise with Business Services on the preparation,
collection and dissemination of statistics and other information in relation to
the provision and planning of this service.
13.
ADMINISTRATION OF DEPARTMENT
The post holder will be expected to undertake administrative duties associated
with the care of his/her patients and to contribute to the smooth running of the
department. The Consultant will have a continuing responsibility for the care
of patients in his/her department.
14.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
The post holder will:
14.1 Play a significant role in medical education. The successful candidate will be
expected to participate fully in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and
to promote knowledge of Paediatrics amongst colleagues. Postgraduate
training opportunities include a weekly CPD approved perinatal meeting and
weekly clinical teaching. Altnagelvin Hospital participates in the teaching of
Paediatrics to medical students. The successful candidate will be expected to
participate fully in the programme.
14.2 Respond to external requests for teaching on issues related to Paediatrics,
where possible within the service needs.
14.3 Participate in in-service training for hospital staff.
14.4 Seek to develop research-based practice within statutory services and
in combination with outside academic institutions. The post holder will
maintain his or her own personal development through:




Maintaining a high level of specialist knowledge in Paediatrics extending
his/her professional and management knowledge and skills.
Fulfilling the relevant commitment to continuing professional
development/continuing medical education.
Actively participate in clinical audit.
Encourage research within the specialty.
15.
CLINICAL GOVERNANCE
Under Clinical Governance NHS organisations are accountable for
continuously improving the quality of the service provided and safeguarding
high standards of care. Consultant Medical Staff are responsible for providing
high quality, evidence based care and treatment to their patients. To enable
this to be achieved it is essential that Consultant staff provide leadership and
participate in the essential elements of clinical and social care governance this
includes involvement in:







16.
Audit
Promoting and sharing good practice
Quality standard setting
Risk Management
Incident reporting
Promoting evidence based practice
Continuing professional and personal development
RESEARCH
The successful candidate will be encouraged to contribute to, and participate
in, original and on-going clinical research.
17.
APPRAISAL /REVALIDATION
The post holder, as with all career grade staff within Altnagelvin Trust, will
undergo annual appraisal. The Clinical Director on behalf of the Chief
Executive will normally perform this appraisal. The post holder will be
expected to conform to current and any future GMC guidelines on
revalidation.
18.
CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION
The post holder will be expected to keep up to date with innovations and ideas
within the profession and to follow the recommendations of the Royal College
of Paediatrics and Child Health on Continuing Medical Education.
19.
MAIN CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:
19.1 REMUNERATION
This post will be subject to the Consultant Terms and Conditions of Service
(Northern Ireland).
19.2 REGISTRATION AND DEFENCE
Registration with the GMC must be maintained.
The Altnagelvin Hospitals Trust is financially responsible for medical
negligence occurring in the course of a practitioner’s employment with the
Trust. The successful candidate will be responsible for making his/her own
arrangements to provide cover for non-nhs work.
19.3 SUPERANNUATION
Membership of the H.P.S.S. Superannuation Scheme is voluntary. There is a
reciprocal arrangement between the N.I. scheme and that in operation in
mainland Britain.
19.4 HOME LOCATION
A Consultant is required to reside within a reasonable distance of their
principal place of work to be agreed with the employing organisation and must
be contactable by telephone.
19.5 PRIVATE PRACTICE
Schedule 6 of the Consultant Terms & Conditions of Service (Northern
Ireland) 2004 will apply.
19.6 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
He/She will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical by the
Occupational Health Department before taking up the post. The candidate
shall be required to produce a Certificate of Medical Fitness for Exposure
Prone Employment.
In accordance with Altnagelvin Hospitals H & SST’s Equality Scheme, to ensure that
equality and human rights issues are addressed within the post holders area of
responsibility.
The Trust operates a No Smoking and No Alcohol in the workplace policy and staff
are required to participate in and adhere to the implementation of these policies.
All Staff must comply with the Standing Financial Instructions for the Trust.
As an employee of Altnagelvin H&SST you are legally responsible for all records you
hold, create or use as part of the business within the Trust including patient/client,
corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also
including e-mails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general
public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the
Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Data Protection Act 1998. As
an employee you are required to be conversant with the Trust’s policy and procedures
on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.