NHS Lothian
University Hospitals Division/Primary Care Organisation
Cancer and Palliative Care Services
Western General Hospital
Consultant Clinical Oncologist with a primary interest in Head and Neck Cancer with a second site interest
of Non-Melanomatous Skin Cancers
1.
Outline of the post
This is a full-time post for a Head and Neck Oncologist with a second interest in nonmelanomatous skin cancers at the Edinburgh Cancer Centre (ECC) . It is a replacement
post following retirement of one of the Head and Neck specialists.
There will be an on call commitment at ECC for adult oncology of around 1 in 15.
2.
Edinburgh Cancer Centre
The Edinburgh Cancer Centre (ECC), based at the Western General Hospital, serves
the South East of Scotland which consists of in Lothian, the Western General Hospital,
New Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and St John’s in Livingston. In Fife, the Queen
Margaret Hospital Dunfermline and the Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy are the main hospitals
and in the Borders region, the Borders General Hospital and in Dumfries, The Dumfries
and Galloway Royal Infirmary. The Cancer Centre offers specialist treatment for all
cancers within the framework of site-specific multidisciplinary teams incorporated within
the South East Scotland Cancer Network.
There is a close collaboration with the CRUK Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre
offering the potential for translational research.
The ECC sees about 4500 new patients each year and is in the process of expansion to
cater for expected increase in demand over the next 10-15 years. More than 3500
courses of radiotherapy are delivered each year, 75% with radical intent and 19500
attendances /annum for chemotherapy. There are 72 oncology beds including a 10
bedded bone-marrow transplant unit and an on-site hostel with facilities for 16 patients.
The Radiotherapy Department has six Varian Linear Accelerators all with MLC and
portal imaging, three IMRT enabled and two with IGRT capability. In summer of 2011 a
Novalis Tx machine was installed to provide specialised stereotactic radiotherapy and
VMAT. Two further machines will be up-graded in 2012-13 as part of the Scottish
Government Radiotherapy Equipment replacement programme (one a TRUEBEAM).
Two wide-bore CT scanners have recently been installed. The Department offers a wide
range of radiotherapy techniques such as 3D-CRT, Virtual simulation, IMRT (static field
and RAPIDARC) for prostate and head and neck cancer, intracranial stereotactic
radiosurgery, I125 seed prostate brachytherapy using ECLIPSE, HELIOS, IPLAN and
BRACHYVISION treatment planning systems. There is a kilovoltage machine for skin
treatments, an HDR brachytherapy suite and dedicated onsite facilities for preparation
and administration of radionuclides. The Department is networked with the Varian ARIA
radiotherapy Information system and is fully integrated within the Scottish PACs system.
There is access to CT-PET at the CRIC imaging centre at the RIE. It is hoped in the
Page 1 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description
future to extend the stereotactic service to extra-cranial sites, such as small lung
tumours.
The outpatient chemotherapy suite sees approximately 19500 patient attendances per
annum with on site chemotherapy preparation. This unit is nurse led with associate
specialists providing medical support.
There are currently 18 consultant Clinical Oncologists, 10 Medical Oncologists 2
consultants in Palliative Medicine and 1 consultant Psychologist. These posts include
three Chairs, Professor David Cameron (Medical Oncology), Professors Allan Price and
Ian Kunkler (Clinical Oncology)
The Head and Neck team consists of two Clinical Oncologists. Dr Elizabeth Junor (
replacement post for Dr Junor who is retiring) and Dr Joanna Nixon There are two
Clinical Nurse Specialists (Fiona Haston and Linda Kempton). There are weekly Joint
Clinics with Maxillo-Facial and ENT and a weekly regional MDM with input from a head
and neck pathologist and neuroradiology. A Multidisciplinary New Patient Clinic follows
on from the MDM where new patients are seen jointly. The ECC is the regional H+N
centre seeing all H+N cancer patients in SE Scotland. Patients are referred from Lothian,
West Lothian, Fife, Borders and Dumfries and Galloway. Chemotherapy is delivered in
the ECC outpatient chemotherapy unit and IP chemotherapy is managed on ward 3. The
team sees over 300 new patients per annum from across South East Scotland.
The non melanomatous skin commitment involves a weekly joint clinic with
dermatologists. There is a PA for skin RT planning and fortnightly MDT. The successful
candidate with lead on this service at ECC.
3.
South East Scotland Cancer Network
(SCAN) (www.scan.scot.nhs.uk)
SCAN consists of linked groups of health professionals, patients and voluntary sector
representatives, working together to improve cancer services. The aim is to work across
geographical, organisational and professional boundaries to promote equitable provision
of high-quality, clinically effective cancer services. This model of organisation is known
as a 'managed clinical network'. The organisation aims to be patient-focussed, covering
a population of over one million people in the four NHS Board areas served by the
Edinburgh Cancer Centre. The SCAN network is formally accredited through NHS
Quality Improvement Scotland. Dr Val Doherty was appointed in 2011 as the new
Clinical Director.
4.
NHS Lothian
NHS Lothian is an integrated NHS Board in Scotland providing primary, community, mental
health and hospital services. Mr Tim Davison is Chief Executive and Dr David Farquharson is
Medical Director. NHS Lothian serves a population of 850,000. The NHS Board determines
strategy, allocates resources and provides governance across the health system. Services
are delivered by Lothian University Hospitals Services, the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and
Associated Mental Health Services, 4 Community Health and Social Care Partnerships
(CH(C)Ps) in the City of Edinburgh, West Lothian, East Lothian and Midlothian, and a Public
Health Directorate.
NHS Lothian serves a population of 850,000.
Page 2 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description
University Hospitals Services
The University Hospitals Services provides a full range of secondary and tertiary clinical
services to the populations of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian. The
Division is one of the major research and teaching centres in the United Kingdom.
Hospitals included in the Services are:
St John’s Hospital
The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
The Western General Hospital
The Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh
Royal Victoria Hospital
Liberton Hospital
The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion
St John’s Hospital opened in 1989 and is located in the centre of Livingston, a new town
about 30 minutes drive west from Edinburgh. The hospital provides for most common
specialties but does not have emergency general surgery or orthopaedic trauma
operating. The hospital has a paediatric ward and is the centre for:













General Medicine with specialists in Cardiology, Diabetes & Endocrinology,
Gastroenterology, Respiratory Medicine and Care of the Elderly
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Child Health including Paediatrics and Community Child Health
The Supraregional Burns and Plastic Surgery unit.
Oncology (Lung, Breast, Bowel, Haematology)
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
ENT
Critical Care (ITU, HDU and CCU)
Accident and Emergency
General Surgery
Orthopaedics
Anaesthetics
Mental Health including ICCU and ICPU
Since 2005 general surgery and orthopaedics have been reconfigured in NHS Lothian with
SJH being developed as a major elective centre for the region. Lothian’s ENT service was
relocated to SJH to create an integrated head and neck unit with OMFS and Plastic Surgery.
Recent developments at SJH include a new endoscopy suite, an Intensive Psychiatric
Care Unit, a digital mammography unit, an oncology (cancer care) day centre, a satellite
renal dialysis unit and a £2.75m reprovision of A&E. There are full supporting Laboratory
and Diagnostic Radiology Services (including CT, Ultrasound and NM).
The hospital has been accredited full teaching hospital status by the University of
Edinburgh. There is a full range of lecture theatres, a library and AV facilities.
The Royal Infirmary (RIE) is a major teaching hospital on a green field site in the South
East of the city of Edinburgh built in 2003. It comprises 25 wards, 869 beds, and 24
operating theatres, and is equipped with modern theatre and critical care equipment and
monitoring. Within the main building is a dedicated, multidisciplinary, 5 theatre day
surgery complex. The hospital provides for most specialities and is the centre for:

General surgery with a focus on the upper GI tract
Page 3 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description










Vascular surgery
Hepato-biliary and Transplant medicine and surgery
Cardiac and Thoracic surgery
Elective and trauma Orthopaedics surgery
Neonatology
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Cardiology
Renal Medicine
Sleep Medicine
Regional major Accident and Emergency centre.
There is a Combined Assessment Unit which takes unselected GP or direct emergency
referals, and from A&E. CAU includes the Department of Liaison Psychiatry and the
Scottish Poisons Bureau and Treatment Centre. There are full supporting Laboratory and
Diagnostic Radiology Services (including CT, MR, Ultrasound and NM and PET scanning
will be available in 2008). There is a full range of lecture theatres, a library and AV
facilities. The RIE holds the South East Scotland Comprehensive Care Haemophilia
Centre.
The Western General Hospital (WGH) has 600 beds and 5 operating theatres and is
equipped with modern theatre and critical care equipment and monitoring. The Anne
Ferguson building was completed in 2001. The hospital provides for most specialties and
is the centre for:
 Neurology, Neurosurgery and neuropathology
 UK CJD unit
 Colorectal Surgery
 Urology and Scottish Lithotriptor Centre
 Breast Surgery and Breast screening
• Gastro-Intestinal disease
 Rheumatology
 Infectious Diseases
 Haematology, Haemato-oncology
 Medical Oncology
 Radiation Oncology (including 6 LINACs)
 Dermatology (Inpatient)
 Medicine of the Elderly/Stroke Medicine
There is an Acute Receiving Unit, which accepts GP referrals and 999 ambulance
medical cases on a zoned basis within the city, and a nurse led Minor Injuries Unit. There
is no trauma unit at this hospital. There are full supporting Laboratory and Diagnostic
Radiology Services (including CT, MR, Ultrasound and NM).There is a full range of
lecture theatres, a library and AV facilities.
.
The Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) is a 141 bedded hospital providing
general and specialist services for children. The hospital is situated in a residential area
close to the centre of Edinburgh and is approximately 3 miles from the site of the New
Royal Infirmary and the co-located University of Edinburgh Medical School and 3 miles
from the Western General Hospital. The RHSC is a 151-bedded Hospital, and is the main
paediatric teaching hospital for the South-East of Scotland providing general and
specialised services on a local, regional and national basis. It acts as the local paediatric
referral centre for the children of Edinburgh and surrounding areas, and as a tertiary
referral centre for intensive care patients; gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition;
Page 4 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description
respiratory medicine; cardiology; nephrology; neurology; oncology; haematology; neonatal
surgery; plastic surgery; orthopaedic surgery; urological surgery and aspects of general
surgery.
Hospital accommodation encompasses five theatres, a critical care unit comprising a 6/8
bedded Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, 4/6 bedded High Dependency Unit and a 3
bedded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. There is an excellent library facility and a modern
lecture theatre with a full range of audio-visual equipment.
All services are supported by comprehensive radiology, neurophysiology, laboratory and
therapy services. The local radiology department provides on site Magnetic Resonance
Imaging, CT Scanning, nuclear scanning and ultrasound. On site laboratories provide
biochemistry, haematology, pathology and neuropathology services.
Community Healthcare Partnerships
The four established Lothian Community Health (and Social Care) Partnerships serve the
population of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian.
Hospitals in the CH(C)Ps include:
The Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh
Rosslynlee Hospital in Midlothian
Herdmanflat Hospital
Roodlands Hospital in East Lothian.
The four CHPs are coterminous with Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West
Lothian Councils bringing together those responsible for planning, managing and
providing community-based health services for the population of Edinburgh and the
Lothians.
There are 7,500 members of staff. In addition, there are approximately 1,000
independent contractors in General Medical and Dental Practice, as well as pharmacists
and opticians. A population of 850,000 people is served across health board area. The
range of services care of the elderly, medical rehabilitation, community mental health,
substance misuse and learning disability, district nursing and health visiting, family
planning, well woman, , comprehensive dental care and those provided by Professions
Allied to Medicine, such as physiotherapy, pharmacies and optometrists. Specialist
services provided include brain injury rehabilitation, bio-engineering and prosthetics,
drugs and alcohol misuse and harm reduction, AIDS/HIV and Children and Family
Psychiatric Services.
Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Associated Services
The Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Associated Services provides a range of mental health
services to the population of Lothian and other Boards within Scotland.
The Royal Edinburgh Hospital is located on the south side of the City of Edinburgh. It
comprises some 20 wards, 420 beds, day hospitals and outpatient facilities. The hospital
provides the following range of specialities:


Acute Mental Health
Rehabilitation
Psychiatric Emergency Team 24/7
Page 5 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description








Outpatients
Assessment Phychiatry of Old Age
Forensic Medium Security Unit
Inpatient facilities for under 18s
Psychotherapy Service
Psychology Services
Services for Eating Disorders
Day Hospitals – Psychiatry of Old Age
There are an additional 46 bed and 1 day hospitals for Psychiatry of Old Age in the north
of the city at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
The hospital is currently housed in a mix of accommodation ranging from 19th century to
present. There is a major project now in place to take forward a reprovisioning
programme in line with the strategic vision with the “Delivery for Mental Health” Scottish
Executive 2006.
Department of Public Health Medicine
The aim is to improve the health of the people of Lothian in collaboration with many
other partners. Using our range of knowledge, experience and networking capability,
our distinctive contributions are:
 the promotion of specific measures to monitor and improve health;
 the collation and interpretation of health related information.
The following objectives have been agreed as the basis for the Department’s work plans:
1. To monitor the health status and health needs of people in Lothian;
2
To promote improvements in the health of Lothian people directly, and by providing
information and advice to the public on health matters;
3. To assist Lothian NHS Board to fulfil its statutory obligations;
4. To contribute to strategic changes within the NHS in Lothian by providing information on
clinical effectiveness;
5. To facilitate improvements in health and health care services directly, and through ‘managed
clinical networks’ and wider alliances;
6. To contribute on a 24 hour basis to the control and prevention of communicable diseases and
environmental hazards;
7. To maintain commitments to teaching, training, professional development, audit and
research.
To enable efficient management of the Department: there are at present four groups in the
Directorate. These are; Healthy Communities, Healthcare; Health Protection and Health
Information.
Page 6 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description
3.
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh was established in 1582 and is one of the largest in the United
Kingdom located on a number of prominent sites in Scotland’s capital city. It is Scotland’s
premier research University and within the top 5 Universities in Europe for its Biomedical
Sciences.
The University of Edinburgh’s College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine (CMVM; Head
Professor Sir John Savill) is an internationally leading force in basic-to-clinical translational
research. The College has a consistent 30-year strategy of interdisciplinarity and integration
of basic and clinical sciences. In the most recent Research Assessment Exercise (2008), the
University of Edinburgh was top in the United Kingdom within the UoA4 category of Hospitalbased Clinical Subjects. In 2008/9, CMVM attracted over £120 million in external peerreviewed grant funding.
It has established several major interdisciplinary research Centres:
i. MRC Centre for Inflammation Research (Director, Professor John Iredale)
ii. Centre for Cardiovascular Science (Director, Professor Brian Walker) incorporating the
BHF Centre of Research Excellence (Director, Professor John Mullins)
iii. Centre for Reproductive Biology (Director, Professor Phillipa Saunders) and MRC Human
Reproductive Sciences Unit (Director, Professor Robert Millar) including the Tommy’s
Centre (Director, Professor Jane Norman).
iv. MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine (Director, Professor Sir Ian Wilmut)
v. Centre for Molecular Medicine (Director, Professor David Porteous)
vi. Centre for Cancer Research (Director, Professor David Harrison)
vii. Centre for Population Health Sciences (Director, Professor Harry Campbell)
viii. MRC Human Genetics Unit (Director, Professor Nick Hastie)
These Centres are predominantly based at two sites: the Queen’s Medical Research Institute
at the Royal Infirmary, and the Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at the Western
General Hospital. The co-location of basic science and clinical groups within state-of-the-art
infrastructure and technology provides an excellent and exciting opportunity to conduct
translational research at the highest level.
This academic power base is supported by clinical research infrastructure that includes:
i
ii
iii
iv
v
vi
4.
Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility
Clinical Research Imaging Centre
Edinburgh Clinical Trials Unit (UKCRN Registered) and Health Services Research Unit
Scottish Brain Imaging Research Centre
Experimental Cancer Medicine Centre
Academic and Clinical Central Office for Research and Development
NHS Library and Postgraduate Facilities
There are excellent facilities on all sites
NHS Lothian is an integrated NHS Board in Scotland providing primary, community, mental
health and hospital services. Charles Winstanley is Chairman of the Board, Professor James
Barbour is the Chief Executive and Dr David Farquaharson is Medical Director.
The NHS Board determines strategy, allocates resources and provides governance across
the health system. Services are delivered by Lothian University hospitals division, the Royal
Edinburgh Hospital and Associated Mental Health Services, 4 community health (and social
Page 7 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description
care) partnerships (CH(C)Ps) in City of Edinburgh, West Lothian, East Lothian and
Midlothian, and a Public Health directorate.
NHS Lothian serves a population of 850,000
i) University Hospitals Division
The University Hospitals Division provides a full range of secondary and tertiary clinical
services to the populations of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian. The
Division is one of the major research and teaching centres in the United Kingdom.
Hospitals included in the Division are:
The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
The Lauriston Building
The Western General Hospital
The Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh
St Johns Hospital
Royal Victoria Hospital
Liberton Hospital
The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion.
The Western General Hospital (WGH) has 600 beds and 5 operating theatres and is
equipped with modern theatre and critical care equipment and monitoring. The Anne
Ferguson building was completed in 2001. The hospital provides for most specialties and is
the centre for:
 Neurology, Neurosurgery and neuropathology
 UK CJD unit
 Colorectal Surgery
 Urology and Scottish Lithotriptor Centre
 Breast Surgery and Breast screening
• Gastro-Intestinal disease
 Rheumatology
 Infectious Diseases
 Haematology Oncology
 Medical Oncology
 Radiation Oncology (including 6 LINACs)
 Dermatology (Inpatient)
 Medicine of the Elderly/Stroke Medicine
There is an Acute Receiving Unit, which accepts GP referrals and 999 ambulance medical
cases on a zoned basis within the city, and a nurse led Minor Injuries Unit. There is no
trauma unit at this hospital. There are full supporting Laboratory and Diagnostic Radiology
Services (including CT, MR, Ultrasound and NM).There is a full range of lecture theatres, a
library and AV facilities.
The Royal Infirmary (RIE) is a major teaching hospital on a green field site in the South East
of the city of Edinburgh built in 2003. It comprises 25 wards, 869 beds, and 24 operating
theatres, and is equipped with modern theatre and critical care equipment and monitoring.
Within the main building is a dedicated, multidisciplinary, 5 theatre day surgery complex. The
hospital provides for most specialities and is the centre for:

General surgery with a focus on the upper GI tract
Page 8 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description










Vascular surgery
Hepato-biliary and Transplant medicine and surgery
Cardiac and Thoracic surgery
Elective and trauma Orthopaedics surgery
Neonatology
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Cardiology
Renal Medicine
Sleep Medicine
Regional major Accident and Emergency centre.
There is a Combined Assessment Unit which takes unselected GP or direct emergency
referrals, and from A&E. CAU includes the Dept of Liaison Psychiatry and the Scottish
Poisons Bureau and Treatment Centre. There are full supporting Laboratory and Diagnostic
Radiology Services (including CT, MR, Ultrasound and NM and PET scanning). There is a full
range of lecture theatres, a library and AV facilities
St John’s Hospital opened in 1989 and is located in the centre of Livingston, a new town
about 30 minutes drive west from Edinburgh. The hospital provides for most common
specialties but does not have emergency general surgery or orthopaedic trauma operating.
The hospital has a paediatric ward and is the centre for:












General Medicine with specialists in Cardiology, Diabetes & Endocrinology,
Gastroenterology, Respiratory Medicine and Care of the Elderly
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Child Health including Paediatrics and community child health
The regional Burns and Plastic Surgery unit for SE Scotland
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
ENT
Critical Care (ITU, HDU and CCU)
Accident and Emergency
General Surgery
Orthopaedics
Anaesthetics
Mental Health including ICCU and ICPU
Since 2005 general surgery and orthopaedics have been reconfigured in NHS Lothian with
SJH being developed as a major elective centre for the region. Lothian’s ENT service was
relocated to SJH to create an integrated head and neck unit with OMFS and Plastic Surgery.
Recent developments at SJH include a new endoscopy suite, an Intensive Psychiatric Care
Unit, a digital mammography unit, an oncology (cancer care) day centre, a satellite renal
dialysis unit and a £2.75m reprovision of A&E. There are full supporting Laboratory and
Diagnostic Radiology Services (including CT, Ultrasound and NM).
The hospital has been accredited full teaching hospital status by the University of Edinburgh.
There is a full range of lecture theatres, a library and AV facilities.
The Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) is a 141 bedded hospital providing general
and specialist services for children.
ii) Community Healthcare Partnerships
The four established Lothian Community Health (and Social Care) Partnerships serve the
population of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian.
Page 9 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description
Hospitals in the CH(C)Ps include:
The Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh
Rosslynlee Hospital in Midlothian
Herdmanflat Hospital
Roodlands Hospital in East Lothian.
The four CHPs are linked with Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian
Councils bringing together those responsible for planning, managing and providing
community-based health services for the population of Edinburgh and the Lothian’s.
There are 7,500 members of staff. In addition, there are approximately 1,000 independent
contractors in General Medical and Dental Practice, as well as pharmacists and opticians. A
population of 850,000 people is served across health board area. The range of services care
of the elderly, medical rehabilitation, community mental health, substance misuse and
learning disability, district nursing and health visiting, family planning, well woman,
comprehensive dental care and those provided by Professions Allied to Medicine, such as
physiotherapy, pharmacies and optometrists. Specialist services provided include brain injury
rehabilitation, bio-engineering and prosthetics, drugs and alcohol misuse and harm reduction,
AIDS/HIV and Children and Family Psychiatric Services.
Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Associated Services
The Royal Edinburgh and Associated Services provides a range of Mental Health services to
the population of Lothian and other Boards within Scotland.
The Royal Edinburgh Hospital is located on the south side of the City of Edinburgh. It
comprises some 20 wards, 420 beds, day hospitals and outpatient facilities. The hospital
provides the following range of specialities:There are an additional 46 bed and 1 day hospitals for Psychiatry of Old Age in the north of
the city at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
The hospital is currently housed in a mix of accommodation ranging from 19th century to
present. There is a major project now in place to take forward a reprovisioning programme in
line with the strategic vision with the “Delivery for Mental Health” Scottish Executive 2006.
5.
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh was established in 1582 and is one of the largest in the United
Kingdom located on a number of prominent sites in Scotland’s capital city. It is Scotland’s
premier research university, graded within the top six multi-faculty British Universities in the
last national research assessment exercise (90 percent of its academic staff were in units
rated 4, 5 or 5*). It has 3,000 academic staff, over 16,000 undergraduate and over 4,000
postgraduate students and an annual expenditure of over £261M for teaching and research.
The University is organised into 3 Colleges: Humanities and Social Science, Medicine and
Veterinary Medicine, Science and Engineering.
In 2010 the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre has gained CRUK centre status and has a
broad programme of research involving not only cancer biology, genetics and pathology and
clinical trials, but also psychological aspects of cancer care. There is also a joint CRUK-Chief
Scientist’s office Experimental Cancer Medicines Centre, which from 2012 will be joint with
Dundee. This provides additional resources for early phase and translational research.
Page 10 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description
6.
Details of the Post.
This is a replacement post due to retirement of Dr Elizabeth Junor, Consultant Head and Neck
oncologist . The post holder will specialise in the non-surgical oncological management of
patients with head and neck cancer. Addition of skins is a reorganisation of commitments
within the cancer centre.
The major component of this post will be Head and Neck Cancer It is expected that the postholder will be conversant with external beam radiotherapy (Virtual Simulation, 3D-CRT and
IMRT) for these conditions. All Head and Neck cases are treated with IMAT. In addition to
treatment with complex radiation. The post-holder will be expected to manage patients with
Head and Neck cancers with chemotherapy and targeted therapies.
The post holder will be the Lead for skin radiotherapy, which is currently being provided by Dr
Catriona McLean.
Although the principal management for radiotherapy for sarcomas will remain with Dr Joanna
Nixon, it is proposed that the post-holder will provide cross cover for her annual leave.
7.
Research and Development
The ECC has an active research programme and NHS consultants are expected to
support research initiatives where appropriate.
The South East Scotland Cancer Research Network provides infrastructure and support
for NCRN and EORTC clinical trials recruiting around 850 patients per annum.
There are five teams covering i) Breast, ii) GU and upper GI iii) Lung, CNS and Head
and Neck, iv) Colorectal and Gynaecology and v) Haematology. Commercial trials are
integrated into the teams provided they are fully funded.
The Edinburgh Cancer Centre has close links with the University’s Edinburgh Cancer
Research Centre with a strong programme in translational research and drug
development.
The post holder would be expected to take part in Research and Development initiatives
relevant to their site specialism. Participation in Clinical trials is expected and
participation in translational research is encouraged
8.
Teaching and Training
The post holder is expected take part in the Departmental teaching programme at
undergraduate and postgraduate level. All University of Edinburgh medical
undergraduates spend time with in an Oncology, Haematology and Palliative Care
rotation and consultants are actively involved in clinic and bedside teaching and tutorials.
Teaching of other professions allied to medicine, such as therapeutic radiographers,
physicists, and nurses is seen as an important task for building the multi-disciplinary
teams.
There are currently 8 Clinical Oncology trainees who rotate every 4 to 6emonths
between the multi-disciplinary teams. Consultants are expected to contribute to their
training.
Page 11 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description
9.
DAY
Monday
From / To
Job Plan (Head and Neck with Skins)
HOSPITAL/
LOCATION
WGH (9.5)
TYPE OF WORK
8.30-9.30 H& N Team meeting
DCC
SPA
2
9.30-12.30 Ward round and IP chemo
prescribing or Supervision of H&N
Mould/CT sim (alternating weekly with
Dr Nixon)
12.30-16.30 Head and neck /skin
planning
Tuesday
From / To
Wednesday
From / To
Thursday
From / To
WGH (8.5)
WGH (8)
WGH (6.5)
16.30-18.00 Departmental meetings
8.30 -10.30 Max Fax follow up clinic
0.5
0.375
10.30-12.00 MDM (H&N)
0.375
12-14.30 New Patient H&N clinic
0.375
14.30-17.00 ENT follow up clinic
0.625
0900-930 admin
930-1030: peer review RT planning
1030-1230 WR/chemo prescribing
(alternating with Dr Nixon)
12:30-15:30 Head and Neck/skin RT
planning
15:30-16:30 RT plan reviews/sign plans
1.875
900-1000 WR
1000-1230 SPA
1200-1300 clinical admin
1300-1600 skin clinic
0.25
0.625
0.25
0.75
Friday
From / To
WGH (7)
8:30-1000 skin MDT
1000 -1600 Head and neck review
clinic
.0375
1.5
Saturday
From / To
(0.5)
1 in 15 on call
0.125
Sunday
From / To
TOTAL
9
1
Page 12 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description
10.
Edinburgh
The historic capital city of Scotland is famous for its spectacular Georgian architecture,
heritage and culture. It is a lively city with shops, restaurants and bars rivalling those in
London but the wild Scottish countryside only a short drive away. Although the
International and Fringe Festivals are the highlight of the cultural year a wide range of
theatre, music, comedy and art exhibitions are available all year. It is also a family city,
with many parks, a Zoo, museums etc. There are many good schools, both the public
and private.
11.
Contact Details:
Dr Joanna Nixon Consultant Clinical Oncologist
Tel 0131 537 2209
Ms Clare Gorman, Service Manager for Cancer Service
Tel 0131 537 3620
Miss Elaine Anderson Clinical Director, Associate Medical Director for Cancer Service
Tel 0131 537 3620
12.
Person Specification (see outline attached)
Page 13 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description
PERSON SPECIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications and
Training
ESSENTIAL



Experience



Ability

Academic
Achievements

Teaching and
Audit



Motivation


Personal
Attributes



DESIRABLE
GMC registered medical practitioner,
MRCP or equivalent.
Be on, or be eligible for inclusion on
within 6 months, the GMC Specialist
Register in Clinical Oncology
FRCR or equivalent


A higher degree.
.
Evidence of experience in the
management of patients with Head and
neck
Evidence of experience in the
management of patients with head and
neck tumours with chemotherapy, and
biological agents
Evidence of the experience of managing
skin cancers with radiotherapy and
chemotherapy

Evidence of
experience of IMRT
Evidence of
experience of IGRT
Evidence of ability to take full
responsibility for independent
management of patients
Evidence of a commitment to research,
publications and presentations

Evidence of commitment to formal and
informal teaching and training of SpRs,
junior doctors, medical students and
allied professionals.
Evidence of participation in audit projects
Evidence of ability to co-ordinate, deliver
and assess teaching and training
programmes for undergraduates or postgraduates




Evidence of role in
development of clinical
service
Evidence of previous
experience in research
Evidence of designing
and effecting audit
programmes
Evidence of teaching
qualification or
learning
Evidence of commitment to patient
focused care, learning and continuous
professional development, effective and
efficient use of resources
Evidence of desire to develop services for
patients
Evidence of ability to work in a team with
colleagues in own and other disciplines
Evidence of ability to organise time
efficiently and effectively
Excellent communication skills


Evidence of ability to
motivate colleagues
Evidence of
managerial training
and experience
Page 14 of 14 Head and Neck and Skins Job Description