consultant immunologist
gartnavel general hospital
Information pack
reF: 28903D
Closing Date: noon 31st may 2013
www.nhsggc.org.uk/medicaljobs
SUMMARY INFORMATION
Post: CONSULTANT IMMUNOLOGIST
Base: GARTNAVEL GENERAL HOSPITAL, GLASGOW
Applications are invited for the replacement post of Consultant Immunologist in the Department of Immunology based at Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow.
This is an exciting opportunity to join this department and contribute to both clinical and laboratory immunology services. The laboratory offers a wide range of assays for the areas of autoimmunity, allergy, immunodeficiency and cellular immunology for the population of Greater Glasgow. It also acts as a referral centre for specialist tests for the West of Scotland, a population of 2.7 million. Clinical services are also provided for adults in the West of Scotland with primary immunodeficiencies (including a home immunoglobulin programme) and allergic disease. There are close links with the department of Paediatric Immunology based at The Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow.
We are looking for an enthusiastic applicant with both MRCP and MRC Path (Immunology) or equivalent, with full GMC registration, a licence to practice and be eligible for inclusion in the GMC Specialist Register. Those trained in the UK should have evidence of higher specialist training leading to CCT or eligibility for specialist registration (CESR) or be within 6 months of confirmed entry from the date of interview. Non-UK applicants must demonstrate equivalent training.
NHS GREATER GLASGOW AND CLYDE
DIAGNOSTICS DIRECTORATE
INFORMATION PACK
FOR THE POST OF
CONSULTANT IMMUNOLOGIST
REF: 27166D
1. Glasgow – A Fantastic Place to Live and Work
Glasgow has a wealth of attractions including some of the UK's finest Victorian architecture, internationally acclaimed museums, galleries and cultural venues all thriving in a unique cosmopolitan atmosphere. The renaissance of Glasgow over the last decade is an urban success story to which many major UK and European cities aspire.
Glasgow is now one of Europe's top cultural capitals with a complete all year calendar of festivals and events. Native Glaswegians and visitors enjoy widely acclaimed bars and first class restaurants nestling within the best commercial shopping district outside London. All of this is located within a stone's throw of some of the country's finest parks and gardens.
Glasgow is the gateway to Scotland's most spectacular scenery, with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs only 40 minutes away. Glasgow is at the core of national rail and road networks and is served by two airports, Glasgow International (close to the Southern General) and Glasgow Prestwick International (on the Ayrshire coast, south-west of the city).
2. The Hospital Modernisation Programme - The Services of Tomorrow
A massive re-organisation of NHSGGC has just been completed and the Diagnostics Directorate took over responsibility for all Diagnostic services in February 2006. The re-organisation was essential to align the organisational structure to the Acute Services Review (ASR) recommendations and support the Hospital Modernisation Programme which is transforming healthcare provision locally, regionally and nationally. Seven hundred million pounds of investment underpins an ambitious building programme that will deliver truly world class and integrated care from the following major acute sector units;
· New Cancer Centre, PET CT Imaging Centre and Acute Receiving/OP Unit at Gartnavel.
· New Acute South Glasgow Hospital with “gold standard” triple co-location of Maternity/Childrens/Adult Hospital services. Neurosciences Centre also on site.
· Re-development of Glasgow Royal Infirmary into the second major acute hospital.
· Ambulatory Care/Diagnostic and Treatment Centres at the Stobhill and Victoria sites.
· Development of a single dedicated Regional Cardiothoracic Centre.
The Hospital Modernisation Programme will ensure that walk-in/walk-out hospital services are provided for the majority of patients. The pattern of service provision will shift to reflect moves towards ambulatory care. Currently 85% to 90% of patient encounters with acute hospital services are on a walk-in/walk-out same day basis. These include out-patient attendances, diagnostic tests, imaging procedures, and a range of day surgery procedures. In future, these services will be provided from ambulatory care centres designed to deliver the streamlined process of care which patients want - to be seen quickly by the appropriate specialist, to undergo clinical investigation and to receive treatment without delay.
The redesign and redevelopment of Glasgow's acute services will address many of the pressures currently facing the hospital service. The new services will be provided in modern facilities rather than in 19th century buildings not designed for modern health care. The purpose- designed facilities will enable the one-stop/rapid diagnosis and treatment models required for the future. Continuity of service will improve with the elimination of the need for patients' notes and results to be moved from building to building. Concentration of services will allow the requirements of junior doctors’ doctor’s hours and issues arising from increasing sub-specialisation of medicine to be addressed through the creation of larger staff teams and sustainable rotas for both junior and senior staff.
The formation of larger clinical teams will make sure that programmes of work, including the need to cover emergencies without interfering with waiting list and ambulatory care sessions, can be planned effectively. The concentration of in-patient services on fewer sites will help strengthen specialist services and maximise the capacity of the service.
3. Greater Glasgow & Clyde Acute Services Division
Glasgow Acute Services Clyde Acute Services
15 Hospitals 3 Hospitals
4,700 beds 1,100 beds
£980m income £250m income
19,500 w.t.e staff 7,000 w.t.e staff
The Acute Division brings together all acute services across the city and Clyde under a single management structure led by the Chief Operating Officer. The Division is made up of eight Directorates of clinical services each managed by a Director and clinical management team along with a Facilities Directorate. These are:
Emergency Care and Medical Services
Surgery and Anaesthetics
Rehabilitation and Assessment
Diagnostics
Regional Services
Women’s and Children’s Services
Oral Health
Clyde
Facilities
4. Diagnostics Directorate
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde serves a population of around 2 million located across the West of Scotland. The New Cancer Centre serves a population of around 2.8 million i.e. over half the population of Scotland.
The Diagnostics Directorate has responsibility for all Laboratory services, Clinical Physics, Medical Photography and Diagnostic Imaging. Diagnostic Imaging includes Clinical Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Regional imaging services (Neuroradiology, Paediatric Radiology, Oncological Imaging/PET CT, Breast Screening and Dental Radiology).
5. Laboratory Medicine
The Laboratory Medicine division of the Diagnostics Directorate has responsibility for laboratory services which are co-ordinated on a city wide basis. These include the Biochemistry and Immunology, Tissue Typing, Haematology, Microbiology, Virology, Pathology and Genetics Laboratories.
6. Education & Training
Close links to the University of Glasgow ensure significant engagement in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Education is a core component of these teaching hospital posts, including the opportunity to take part in problem based learning sessions for medical students and trainee mentoring as well as other relevant undergraduate and postgraduate educational activities.
7. Research & University Links
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde has excellent working relationships with the University of Glasgow and linked clinical / academic departments. Glasgow has a very strong academic and research base, with an excellent teaching reputation. There are libraries and lecture suites at all the hospital sites.
The Clinical Immunology laboratory has particularly close links with the Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, part of the College of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences and with a global reputation for its research and translational medicine. The Institute has a number of clinically qualified academics and has active research interests in rheumatoid disease, inflammatory lung disease, neuroimmunology, intestinal immunology, chemokine biology and infectious diseases. The MRC Centre for Virology and the Wellcome Unit for Molecular Pathology are based in the Institute, which also houses state of the art facilities for imaging, flow cytometry and polyomic analysis.
The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop his/her expertise and to undertake high quality audit and research activity. Successful candidates may be offered honorary status with the University.
8. Valuing our Staff
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde is committed to extending training and development opportunities to all staff and is actively developing multi-disciplinary training, extending the role of on-line E-learning, and recognises the importance of developments in technology for both staff and patients.
We Offer:
· Policies to help balance commitments at work and home and flexible family friendly working arrangements
· Excellent training and development opportunities.
· Free and confidential staff counselling services
· A central Glasgow location, with close access to motorway, rail and airport links.
· On-site library services
· Subsidised staff restaurant facilities
· Access to NHS staff benefits/staff discounts
· Active health promotion activities
· Bike User Group
· Good Public Transport links
· Commitment to staff education and life-long learning/development opportunities
· Excellent student support
· Access to NHS Pension scheme
9. The Immunology Department
General Information
The Immunology Department provides both clinical and laboratory services for the West of Scotland. The Immunology Laboratory is currently based at Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow but is expected to move to a new purpose-built laboratory at the Southern General Hospital in Autumn 2013. The laboratory component forms part of the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Biochemistry & Immunology Service which is managed within the Diagnostics Directorate. The Clinical Immunology service is focused on Primary Immunodeficiency and Allergy and delivered through outpatient clinics, day ward facilities and a home therapy programme all based at Gartnavel General Hospital. The Clinical Immunology component is sited within the Emergency Care & Medical Services Directorate.
Clinical Immunology Services
The clinical services include clinical consultation on investigation and management of immunological diseases, inpatient consultation and referral, outpatient clinics primarily for adult patients with suspected or proven immunodeficiency. The service is based at Gartnavel General Hospital with dedicated outpatient clinics and day ward sessions and includes hospital and home based immunoglobulin replacement therapy programmes. There are currently ~240 adults with primary immunodeficiency of whom ~105 are receiving immunoglobulin replacement therapy (~60 on home therapy) and 37 adults with C1 inhibitor deficiency. 403 outpatient episodes and 430 day case episodes were completed in 2011-12. There are close links with related specialties eg Infectious Diseases, Respiratory Medicine, Haematology and Rheumatology on the Gartnavel site. There are also close links with the Paediatric Immunology Service based at Yorkhill hospital with joint monthly Paediatric Immunodeficiency clinics and transition arrangements. In addition there are close links with the other Immunology centres in Scotland e.g. through the Scottish Clinical Immunology Group, Scottish Paediatric & Adolescent Infection & Immunology Network, Scottish Paediatric Allergy Group and informal networking.
Severe Allergy & Anaphylaxis Service.
The Anaphylaxis Service is based at Western Infirmary, Glasgow and is directed by Dr Malcolm Shepherd. This service is primarily outpatient based and focussed on anaphylaxis, food, venom and latex allergy. Specialist drug/anaesthetic allergy clinics are also run and there is also a limited immunotherapy service. The service is supported by Clinical Assistants, Nurse Specialist and a Specialist Dietician. The Severe Allergy Clinic at the Victoria Infirmary was previously provided through Immunology but is currently provided by the Anaphylaxis Service to alleviate workload pressure on the current single-handed consultant Immunologist. It is planned that the new appointee will contribute to the Allergy & Anaphylaxis service by undertaking allergy clinics (general and/or special interest) and that the new appointment will enable the current consultant to resume allergy activities. Paediatric allergy services are based at Yorkhill Hospital.
Immunology Laboratory
The Immunology laboratory service provides a full range of laboratory tests for the investigation, diagnosis and monitoring of allergic, autoimmune and immunodeficiency diseases. In the year 2011-12, 322,364 tests (as defined by Keele) were performed on ~130,000 samples with ~11.5% of the workload being derived directly from GPs.
The laboratory is organised into 4 main sections:
· Immunochemistry - immunoglobulins, free light chains, functional antibodies, complement proteins and function, electrophoresis and paraprotein typing as well as cryoglobulin studies.
· Autoantibodies & coeliac serology – antinuclear, smooth muscle, mitochondrial, gastric parietal cell, LKM antibodies, rheumatoid factor, ANCA, ENA, DNA binding antibodies, cardiolipin, tissue transglutaminase and endomysial antibodies.
· Allergy - total serum IgE and allergen specific IgE , mast cell tryptase, IgG to aspergillus, pigeon & M faeni
· Immunocytology - including lymphocyte subset analysis for HIV monitoring, other immunodeficiency states and in vitro tests of lymphocyte and neutrophil function.
The laboratory is well equipped, with a Behring BNA II analyser, Sebia capillary electrophoresis and densitometry system, 2x Zenit & Beeline automated IIF slide processing stations, DS2 ELISA system, 3x Pharmacia Immunocap 250s, FIDIS, BD FACSCANTO flow cytometer, immunofluorescence microscopy dark area, class I cabinets and C02 incubator. Laboratory specimen management, including results reporting, is served by the Telepath Pathology Management system. The Department participates in all relevant UK NEQAS schemes and is registered with CPA and re-applying for accreditation now that previous accommodation issues have been addressed.
Staff
Medical & Nursing
Consultant Immunologists 2.3 WTE
Dr Moira Thomas, Consultant Immunologist, 1.0 WTE.
Consultant Immunologist, present vacancy, 1.0 WTE
Prof Allan Mowat, Honorary Consultant Immunologist, 0.3 WTE
Immunology Home Therapy Nurse (band 7) 1.0 WTE
Immunology Nurse (band 6) 0.2 WTE
Immunology Laboratory
Scientific and Technical staff
AfC band 8b 1.00 WTE
AfC band 8a 2.00 WTE
AfC band 7 3.00 WTE + 1.00 WTE HST clinical scientist (supernumerary)
AfC band 6 5.60 WTE
AfC band 3 3.00 WTE
Secretarial staff
AfC band 4 2.00 WTE
AfC band 2 1.00 WTE
10. Consultant Immunologist Post
This is a whole time or maximum part-time Consultant post in the Immunology Service, Glasgow Laboratory Medicine. If the successful candidate elects to undertake a maximum part-time contract, he/she will be required to devote substantially the whole of his/her time to the duties of the post. The current ‘base’ is within the Immunology Laboratory at Gartnavel General Hospital where dedicated secretarial support and office with computer will be provided. When the laboratory service moves to the Southern General Hospital site, dedicated office accommodation with computer will also be provided on site within the new laboratory building.