National Clinical Lead for Cancer Drugs

NHS England is seeking outstanding oncology clinicians (1x Consultant Clinical Oncologist/ Consultant Medical Oncologist and 1x Consultant in Haematological Oncology) to join the NHS England Medicine Value and Access (MVA) Directorate as National Clinical Lead for Cancer Drugs.

This is an exciting opportunity for established and nationally-respected leaders within the clinical oncology profession to play a central role in the acquisition and implementation of new cancer medicines within the NHS in England to support improvements in patient care.

Main duties of the job

The role holder will join the MVA Directorate which is part of the Chief Financial Officers Group. The role holder will report to the Director of Medicines Value and Access and the Head of Pharmacy & Clinical Support. The role holder will work closely with and support the Senior Managed Access Lead and National Specialty Adviser Cancer Drugs Fund (Lead Cancer Pharmacist).

The candidate(s) will have excellent clinical leadership and strategic skills and will oversee NHS England's clinical input into commercial negotiations and NICE Technology Appraisals for cancer medicines.

This is a full-time role, but appointment is offered on a part-time basis (up to 8 PAs per week) to ensure that candidates continue working within the field, for part of the week, in order to bring essential front-line knowledge into the role.

Please be aware that the number of sessions may be adjusted above baseline depending upon business needs.

About us

NHS England and NHS Improvement came together on 1 April 2019 as a new single organisation. The NHS Long Term Plan focuses on delivering integrated care to patients at the local level and we can best support the NHS to deliver this as a single integrated organisation.

Our new operating model represents a strong shift to regional delivery supported by expert corporate teams. Local health systems are supported by our integrated regional teams who play a major leadership role in the geographies they manage.

Specialised services support people with a range of rare and complex conditions. They often involve treatments provided to patients with rare cancers, genetic disorders or complex medical or surgical conditions.

We are jointly committed to creating and maintaining a fair and supportive working environment and culture, where contributions are fully recognised and valued by all and staff feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. As employers we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and well-being of all our staff. This underpins our values as set out in the NHS Constitution, supports us to be an Employer of Choice and ultimately enables our employees to support the effective care of our patients.

Job responsibilities

To support the work of NHS England, the role holders will:

• Be the lead clinical advisors to NHS England regarding cancer medicines, using their outstanding knowledge of the clinical and economic evidence base.
• Work collaboratively across NHS England and the wider health system to improve the quality and value of healthcare services and ensure the implementation of new cancer medicines is clinically focused and credible.
• Be accountable for NHS England's clinical input into NICE technology appraisals for cancer drugs, representing NHS England at committee meetings.
• Support commercial negotiation and policy teams with horizon scanning, and in the design and delivery of intervention and resources to support system, professional, and care pathway changes at a national and local level.
• Be responsible for the provision of high-quality clinical leadership and advice to ensure the Cancer Drugs Fund continues to operate effectively, meets its aims and has high-quality clinical input into its activity.
• Build effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including the pharmaceutical industry, NHS organisations, regulators, and professional bodies.
• Lead the development of NHS England clinical treatment criteria for all new NICE approved cancer medicines, translating the evidence base from the drug licensing and NICE recommendation into criteria that places the drug within the existing clinical pathway.
• Provide clinical input into considerations of commercial activity in line with the NHS England Commercial Framework for medicines.
• Provide clinical input into responses to MP letters and parliamentary questions.
• Represent the CDF, MVA, and NHS England at National engagements.

NHS England requires its advisors to maintain a high standard of confidentiality and all individuals are subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. NHS England's Confidentiality Policy can be viewed here: Confidentiality Policy.

Person Specification

Experience

• Highly experienced clinical practitioner who commands the respect of all clinical and non-clinical professionals across primary, secondary and community care.
• Working knowledge of specialised commissioning and associated commissioning levers.
• A good understanding of the principles of health economics and NICE methodology.
• An understanding of the incentives, motivation, and behaviours of the pharmaceutical industry.

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level in a relevant medical discipline.
• Holds a relevant postgraduate qualification in the speciality.
• Holds membership of a relevant association e.g- Royal College.
• Holds or is willing to work towards Fellowship or Associate Fellowship of the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management.