Consultant CNS Nuero-Oncology

at  The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

This post is for 10 Programmed Activities (PAs) per week to provide care of patients with CNS tumours from across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
The neuro-oncology service encompasses the surgical, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and supportive care management of the complete spectrum of CNS tumours in the adult and Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) populations. Care is co-ordinated via 4 MDTs: the Neuro-Oncology MDT (which includes a brain metastases / SRS subsection), the Base of Skull MDT and the Pituitary MDT take place at Salford Royal Hospital (part of NCA, the Northern Care Alliance) while the Cancer Network Supportive Care MDT takes place at The Christie.
The appointee will be based at The Christie and will provide senior input to the Clinical Neuro-Oncology consultant group.
The neuro-oncology team is active in research including imaging, basic science, radiotherapy and phase I, II and III clinical trials. Prof McBain leads on trials of systemic therapy; Dr Whitfield has led on radiotherapy trials. Neuro-oncology research is supported by 4 neuro-oncology research nurses and 4 Clinical Trials Administrators at The Christie, with additional staff at Salford. Clinical trials are conducted via a dedicated once or twice-weekly neuro-oncology trials clinic and there are close links with the Early Phase Medicines team and the wider research infrastructure of the University of Manchester and MCRC. The successful applicant will help colleagues in supporting the conduct of clinical trials, with scope to develop this aspect of the role if desired.
The Christie is one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, treating over 60,000 patients a year. We are based in Manchester and serve a population of 3.2 million across Greater Manchester & Cheshire, but as a national specialist around 15% patients are referred to us from other parts of the country.
We provide radiotherapy through one of the largest radiotherapy departments in the world; chemotherapy on site and through 14 other hospitals; highly specialist surgery for complex and rare cancer; and a wide range of support and diagnostic services. We are also an international leader in research, with world first breakthroughs for over 100 years.
We run one of the largest early clinical trial units in Europe with over 300 trials every year. Cancer research in Manchester, most of which is undertaken on the Christie site, has been officially ranked the best in the UK.
This is a permanent opportunity to work alongside the current CNS Clinical Oncology Team to cover the absence of a consultant colleague. It is envisaged that the post-holder will have clinical commitments in CNS oncology and be actively involved in this disease group, further developing the group’s interests by participating in clinical and research activity.
The successful applicant will share the management of new adult neuro-oncology patients with colleagues. Referrals are divided equitably via a shared rotation of the weekly new patient, clinic with approximately 250 new referrals per year. The successful applicant will have office accommodation provided within the clinical oncology department and secretarial/PA support.
The role will be responsible for working with consultant colleagues to support all aspects of the clinical oncology neuro-oncology service, and provide cross cover for leave. Responsibilities will include (but not confined to) new patient and follow-up clinics, actively contributing to the weekly neuro-oncology MDT, radiotherapy treatment planning including stereotactic radiosurgery, the delivery and monitoring of systemic therapies, supporting the clinical trials clinic and clinical trial activity, working with colleagues in the supervision and delivery of undergraduate and post-graduate education, contributing to service development including audit and guideline development and cross covering.

The medical staff establishment provides for 55 Clinical Oncology Consultants, including 4 academic consultants and 25 Specialist Registrars in Clinical Oncology. There is a junior doctor team at F2 and ST1-2 level, working jointly with Medical Oncology and Haematology, within the Division of Networked Services.
The appointee will be based at The Christie and will provide senior input to the Clinical Neuro-Oncology consultant group.
The neuro-oncology team is active in research including imaging, basic science, radiotherapy and phase I, II and III clinical trials. Prof McBain leads on trials of systemic therapy; Dr Whitfield has led on radiotherapy trials. Neuro-oncology research is supported by 4 neuro-oncology research nurses and 4 Clinical Trials Administrators at The Christie, with additional staff at Salford. Clinical trials are conducted via a dedicated once or twice-weekly neuro-oncology trials clinic and there are close links with the Early Phase Medicines team and the wider research infrastructure of the University of Manchester and MCRC. The successful applicant will help colleagues in supporting the conduct of clinical trials, with scope to develop this aspect of the role if desired.
Although the responsibilities of this post do not include a formal CNS proton clinical workload, there may be scope to work in conjunction with the Proton Beam Therapy service in the field of late effects and to use SPA time to access educational opportunities of personal interest.
There are also numerous opportunities to develop an interest in education and teaching at undergraduate and post-graduate levels via the University of Manchester and The Christie School of Oncology and through the close working between the Trust and Health Education England. It is expected that the post holder will make an active contribution to the training of junior doctors and other multi-disciplinary team members in both in-patient and outpatient departments, including acting as clinical supervisor. Further details are summarised in the Terms and Conditions section below