What is NHS Foundation Trust like?
This NHS Trust provides community and hospital services across the entirety of an area covering a thousand square miles. It consists of 4 main hospitals, the new consultant will work at 3 of these. Each of the hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies, day case and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across the area. In July 2015, the trust was the first to get an increase in the NHS tariff for its services agreed by Monitor (NHS) because of its "increased costs associated with this trust running health services across multiple sites in rural locations" and this is expected to increase the trust's income by more than £20 million per year. It has also won awards including being awarded first place in the UK top 50 inclusive employers awards 2020, being recognised as the most inclusive employer out of the 110 member companies.
What is Oncology Department like?
One of the largest employers in the area, this trust have approximately 6,000 staff working across 3 sites. The new consultant will be expected to work across at least two of the three sites, which range in sizes from 33 beds to 450, contributing to the acute oncology inpatient service. The Trust has a recognised Cancer Unit, providing systemic therapy for all common tumour sites. It has six Linacs and employs thirteen clinical oncologists and three Medical Oncologists.
There are currently five Medical Oncologists and one Clinical Oncologist employed at the trust, providing acute oncology services, in addition to a site specialised SACT service. There are also three visiting Clinical Oncologists. Inpatients are managed on the acute medical wards and outpatients are seen and treated in dedicated units on all three sites. There is a Medical Oncology SpR on rotation from another hospital attached to the team, three Nurse Practitioners and one AOT CNS to support the acute oncology service, but also chemotherapy clinics on all sites.
What Career Development & Further Opportunities are available?
Career development opportunities are plenty at this post. At this extremely supportive trust there is opportunity for overseas doctors to work towards and complete CESR and to further develop their sub-specialty areas of preference. There will also be opportunity to supervise undergraduate medical students undertaking SAMP/SSM placements in Oncology or to explore more formal teaching roles within the Medical School as all Trust sites have a modern, well-equipped, postgraduate education centre with lecture theatre and library facilities.
Life in the region
This trust is based in a university city, close to the Lake District. The university provides cultural and sporting facilities and there are some excellent educational facilities available, with some of the best secondary school education in the country. The M6 makes travelling by road very easy, Manchester is one hour’s drive away and London under three hours by train. The area is one of outstanding natural beauty with excellent recreational facilities, particularly related to the sea, lakes, fells and countryside. Housing costs within the area are relatively low. Major industries within the area include shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, shoe manufacture, paper manufacture, food processing, a large number of medium- sized engineering and chemical companies and within South Lakeland a large tourism industry.
For UK CCT holders, this will present a life away from the hustle and bustle of the city near the Lake District, working in one of the highest performing departments in the country. For any overseas doctors, this is a great opportunity for any experienced physicians looking to develop their sub-specialty in Medical Oncology and specialist registration via CESR once in the UK.
Am I eligible for this role?
EEA candidates:
• Recognised European Medical Degree or Specialist Qualification in Medical Oncology
• Extensive experience in Lung, Upper GI or Renal Cancer
Non-EEA candidates:
• MRCP
• Extensive experience in Lung, Upper GI or Renal Cancer
UK-based candidates:
• Extensive experience in Lung, Upper GI or Renal Cancer
• Within 6-months of CESR or CCT in Medical Oncology
This is a great job for any experienced overseas Medical Oncologists working towards CESR and specialist registration in the UK.