Consultant Clinical Oncologist (Skin and GU Subspecialty)
Ref: 55571202
Branch: Western Health & Social Care Trust
Location: Altnagelvin Hospital
Directorate: Medical
Functional Area: Healthcare
Contract Type: Permanent
Opening date: 09/11/26
Closes: Fri, 27 November 2026 @ 3:30 PM
Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes: This is a permanent Consultant Clinical Oncologist post

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Full job description documents
Consultant in Clinical Oncology with sub-speciality interest in Urology and Skin

Job Location: Based at North West Cancer Centre, Altnagelvin Area Hospital
Reports to: Lead Oncologist, Cancer Services
Responsible to: Chief Executive

General Information
The WHSCT was established on 1 April 2007 under the Review of Public Administration and is one of 5 health and social care Trusts across the region. The Trust provides health and social care services across the council areas of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Limavady in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

The Trust's catchment area extends over 4842 km2 and serves a population of approximately 300,000 which represents 16% of the overall population of NI. The Trust provides a wide range of health and social care services from a number of hospitals, community facilities and people's own homes. The Trust employs approximately 12,000 staff and spends £600 million annually in the delivery of health and social care services.

We deliver services to our population from:

• 7 hospitals
• 11 health centres and clinics
• 8 children's homes
• 30 day centres
• 8 residential homes and 1 hostel
• 6 training centres
• 12 administration hubs
• As well as directly into thousands of people's homes

The vision of the Trust is "To provide high quality patient centred services through highly valued and engaged staff".

The Trust incorporates 3 main hospital sites to include Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Omagh Hospital and South West Acute Hospital.

Altnagelvin Area Hospital
Altnagelvin area Hospital is an acute hospital which offers a range of services, including a 24 hours accident and emergency department.

New Omagh Hospital and primary care complex
The new Omagh hospital which opened on 20 June 2017 and provides the range of services previously provided on the Tyrone County site together with a primary care complex. The serves a population of 51,030 and this is largely rural in nature.

South West Acute Hospital
The South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) was opened in June 2012 and serves a population of 60,570. Again this is predominately rural in nature with limited public transport infrastructure. The SWAH provides a range of acute services and has a bed compliment of 312 inpatient and day case beds.

The North West Cancer Centre
The North West Cancer Centre forms part of the Altnagelvin hospital site. The centre has been operational since November 2016. Since opening, over 8,500 patients from the North West of Ireland (Northern Ireland & Co. Donegal, Republic of Ireland) have had their radiotherapy treatment locally; the vast majority of these patients have been treated as Outpatients.

The centre is a true example of the benefits of cross border partnership working and is clearly a success story in the delivery of high quality, safe and effective cancer care for patients from both Northern Ireland and from the Republic of Ireland.

Patient and carer feedback on the Centre has echoed this message with patients clearly stating the benefit of a service 'closer to home' which avoids the need to travel long distances for access to specialist treatments and provides a significant benefit in patients now being close to families and friends while undergoing treatment.

The Centre focuses on ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to the delivery of cancer services across the patient pathway. Formal multidisciplinary meetings occur across the tumour sites and this work is supported by a team of cancer coordinators.

The centre prides itself in the use of high spec/advanced equipment. An example of this is the implementation of the latest treatment imaging technology, including iterative cone-beam CT (iCBCT) and 4D cone-beam CT (4D-CBCT). The centre uses advanced radiology imaging particularly MRI in the planning of radiotherapy treatments.

The centre has achieved reference site 'centre of excellence' status with Varian Medical Systems and also reference site status with IBA Dosimetry. Another significant achievement for the centre has also been the CHKS service accreditation with ISO 9001 certification awarded November 2018.

In addition to radiotherapy, the North West Cancer Centre outpatients currently delivers a Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) service and cancer outpatient service that is provided by consultant medical and clinical oncologists. The centre was awarded the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO accreditation) in 2025.

The centre has a dedicated Oncology/Haematology inpatient facility (with capacity for 27 single rooms) and has an on-site Macmillan Information centre and a dedicated Macmillan Health and Well-being centre across from the North West Cancer Centre.

Overview of NWCC at Altnagelvin Hospital
In total to support the Cancer Centre there are approx. 210 staff including, the following disciplines and departments:

• Nursing
• Medical Physics Scientists and Technologists
• Therapeutic Radiographers
• Pharmacists
• AHPs
• Consultant Pathologist and Laboratory Technicians
• Diagnostic Radiologists and Radiographers
• Administrative and Facilities Management Staff

Summary of Main Infrastructure for the service

• Linear Accelerators 3 TruBeam (VMAT)
• Treatment Suites 4
• CT Simulator 64 slice with Varian RPM (with shell expansion for a second CT simulator)
• Superficial Treatment Suite 1
• Mould Room 1
• Diagnostic CT 1
• Diagnostic MRI 1
• Inpatient Beds 27
• Outpatient clinical exam rooms 6 (specifically to support radiotherapy)
• Outpatient clinical exam rooms 13 to support chemotherapy, new and long-term review
• Chemotherapy day case area 25 treatment chairs and 6 long day treatment rooms

Research
The NWCC has close relationships with the new Medical School at University of Ulster, Magee and one of the Consultant clinical Oncologists employed at the centre is a visiting Professor at the medical school. The centre also works closely with the Trusts Centre for Medical and Dental Education and has a dedicated education lead within oncology services.

The NWCC also has a dedicated clinical trials team to include a Clinical Trials lead (consultant Oncologist), Clinical Trials Nurse Manager, 2 Clinical Trials Nurses, admin support and clinical scientists. The centre has also recently appointed a research and development radiographer post.

The centre works closely with the Trust Clinical Transitional Research Innovation centre (C-Tric) and the Northern Ireland Cancer Trials Centre (NICTC). It is a key priority for the centre to continue to develop and grow the clinical trials network within NWCC and to support access to clinical trials for all NI patients as a whole.

Audit and Quality improvement
Colleagues from within NWCC and the wider Trust work collaboratively with the Northern Ireland Cancer Network (NICAN) with a view to ensuring a joint up approach to the treatment and care of cancer patients across Northern Ireland. The network has an established range of regional multi-disciplinary site-specialist groups and specialist service groups to establish standards and monitor progress.

The Western Trust is constantly striving to improve the service we provide and having robust performance management, monitoring and accountability arrangements in place is key to achieving this. The Western Health and Social Care Trust is highly committed to a culture of quality improvement (QI) and fully supportive of work such as clinical audit etc. The applicant will have an opportunity to become involved in such work and use these opportunities to develop their service.

Job Purpose
The purpose of this post will be to support delivery of radiotherapy, chemotherapy and inpatient care to the patient cohort of North West Cancer Centre in line with the agreed tumour sites. In addition, the postholder will provide sessional input to the Acute Oncology Services via the 'Consultant of the day' model within NWCC.

Job Summary
The post holder will join the Western Health and Social Care Trust (WHSCT) Cancer Services Team and share in the collective responsibility for the provision of a high quality clinical and medical oncology service for patients attending the NWCC. The postholder will provide leadership and engagement within the multidisciplinary team. The postholder will contribute to the development of excellence in clinical practice through audit, research and undergraduate/postgraduate education and training.

The centre has funding for 11WTE consultant oncologists (8 clinical and 3 medical oncology consultants), 4 specialist registrars (on rotation from Northern Ireland Cancer Centre (NICC)), and a team of middle grade Doctors.

The post holder will contribute to the development and management of the Western Trust Cancer Services in a way that meets the needs to deliver a service which is patient centred and holistic. The postholder will take part in outpatient clinics which include new, review and radiotherapy and SACT patients.

The postholder will undertake inpatient and outpatient work and attend MDTs for the agreed tumour sites that the postholder has a specialist interest within. The postholder will have an opportunity to develop their specialist interests in line with the service need. The postholder will have 1PA designated as Acute Oncology (Consultant of the day) and supporting PAs may include protocol development and clinical leadership roles.

SPAs will be allocated for audit, governance, morbidity and mortality meetings, clinical trials and senior medical staff meetings. There may be SPA sessions/meetings at the Northern Ireland Cancer Centre (NICC) in Belfast.

These meetings can be carried out using video conference facilities between the NICC and Altnagelvin. Clinical Oncologists will have dedicated radiotherapy planning clinics for consent, on treatment review, post treatment follow up and dedicated treatment planning and radiotherapy peer review sessions.

Summary of Tumour Sites treated at NWCC, Altnagelvin and those where shared care arrangements with Northern Ireland Cancer Centre (NICC) are in place.

• Breast
• Prostate (except Brachytherapy)
• Regional Penile Cancer Service
• Lung
• Head and Neck
• Skin (Non-Melanoma)
• Colon
• Rectal
• Oesophagus (Shared care NICC)
• Stomach (Shared care NICC)
• Pancreas (Shared care NICC)
• Bladder
• Palliative

Acute Oncology
The NWCC delivers an Acute Oncology Service (AOS) as part of a Northern Ireland regional strategy for Cancer Services. It is expected that in addition to his/her other clinical roles the postholder will contribute activity to this role. The acute oncology model has the supporting services of a designated clinical nurse specialist incorporating the established cancer services 24 Hour helpline service. The working principles of this service will be that of joint working between the clinical and medical oncology teams and with the existing general/medical teams across the WHSCT.

Main Duties

• To be responsible for the assessment, treatment and management of patients referred to the oncology team, providing inpatient care and outpatient clinics.
• To provide a consultative medical advisory service to other professionals within the Western Trust and in primary care.
• To participate in the development of regional and local oncology services in line with strategic Western Trust guidelines.
• To participate in the development of regional guidance and policy. This will involve representing the Western Trust at Regional and National Strategy and Forum groups, and regional structures (e.g. Northern Ireland Cancer Network Groups and the Regional Radiotherapy Clinical reference Group).
• To develop and participate in the multi-professional approach to patient care.
• To participate in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes.
• Patients with complications of radiotherapy/chemotherapy are accommodated in Ward 50 in the North West Cancer Centre (up to 27 beds), a mixed haematology and oncology ward. The oncology team will have responsibility for in-patients admitted under the care of oncology.
• To provide an acute oncology service that will include visiting patients in other wards and providing support for the existing medical / surgical team.
• Participate in an on-call rota will be 1 in 11 (Category B).

Clinical Responsibilities
The postholder will have a ten programmed activity commitment. The postholder will have eight and a half programmed activities to direct patient care (DPC) and one and a half to support professional activities (SPA). Flexible working arrangements may be negotiated. The programmed activities will be carried out in Altnagelvin Area Hospital.

In Altnagelvin Area Hospital the postholder will have shared responsibility with the Consultant Oncology team for inpatients referred to the oncology team.

Managerial Responsibilities

• The postholder will undertake the administrative duties associated with the care of his/her patients and the running of the department in conjunction with colleagues.
• The postholder will be expected to engage with the management in the Directorate of Cancer Services at both a strategic and clinical level to contribute to the planning, implementation and management of cancer services.
• The successful candidate will be expected during the working day (i.e. Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm, excluding bank holidays) to make sure that there are adequate arrangements for hospital staff involved in the care of his/her patients to be able to contact him/her when necessary.
• Out of hours provision to provide 24/7 consultant oncologist on call service with weekend cover on site 9am to 1.30pm Saturday and Sunday will be provided on a 1 in 11 rota basis. Plus additional second on call commitment when medical oncology consultant first on call to provide weekend emergency radiotherapy cover.

Education and research duties and responsibilities
NB: This work would be reflected in SPA allocation.

• The postholder will be encouraged to undertake clinical research in his/her main areas of interest and expertise.
• Contribute to the clinical supervision of trainee medical staff and non-consultant grade doctors and participate in the appraisal system of these groups.
• With colleagues, participate in the planning and delivery of education to undergraduate/postgraduate medical and multi-professional groups.
• The postholder will be required to take part in the speciality audit programme. He/she will also be required to undertake such continuing educational activities as are necessary for him/her to remain accredited by the relevant Royal College. The Trust supports the requirement for CPD, as laid down by the GMC and the Royal Colleges, by providing study leave and a study leave budget. He/she will be required to participate in the audit programme within the Trust and to assist with supervision of junior medical staff audit projects. There will be Trust support in terms of time, staffing and funding to support these activities.

Annual Appraisal Scheme
Consultants are required to participate fully in appraisal processes and bring to the attention of appraisers any issues which may adversely affect performance. The annual appraisal provides an opportunity for feedback on personal performance, development needs and a review of the Job Plan.

The postholder must take part in the appraisal process to ensure revalidation and maintain their Licence to Practice with the General Medical Council (GMC). The Trust has arrangements in place to support the postholder achieving this.

The Trust has a Coaching and Mentoring service in place which is available to all staff including consultants. It is planned to extend this service to newly-appointed consultants as soon as suitable mentors can be identified and trained. On appointment consultants will be provided with information about the mentoring service and will be encouraged to make contact with a suitable mentor.

Main Conditions of Service
Base
The post holders will be based at North West Cancer Centre, Altnagelvin Area Hospital.

Working hours
The basic contract is for 10 programmed activities however, flexible additional sessions may be negotiated / considered in accordance with service requirements. The Consultant Oncologists based at NWCC will be expected to work flexible to ensure the service is covered. During periods of absences (i.e. colleagues annual leave etc.) the post holder will be expected to work as part of a team to ensure service cover.

Remuneration
This post will be subject to the Consultant Terms and Conditions of Service (Northern Ireland).

Registration
Registration with the GMC must be maintained. Health and Social Services Employers have assumed responsibility for claims of Medical/Dental negligence against Practitioners occurring in the course of their health service employment.

Superannuation
The post holder will be automatically enrolled into the Pension Scheme as of your start date.

Occupational health
He/She will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical by the Occupational Health Department before taking up the post. The candidate shall be required to produce a Certificate of Medical Fitness for Exposure Prone Employment.

Personnel Specification
Essential criteria

• Hold or be eligible for full GMC Licence to Practise and be on or eligible to be on the GMC Specialist Register for Clinical Oncology via CCT or Portfolio Pathway route.
• Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (Clinical Oncology) or equivalent.
• Hold a current full driving licence valid for use in the UK and have access to a car or approved transport to carry out the duties and on-call commitments.
• Knowledge of two tumour sites, advanced radiotherapy techniques (IMRT/IGRT/VMAT), ability to manage staff and lead development of advanced radiation techniques.
• Experience writing site-specific guidelines and protocols, introducing new treatments, clinical trials, site-specialised MDTs and Acute Oncology.

Desirable criteria

• Additional qualifications, e.g. MD or PhD.
• Evidence of interest or achievement in relevant clinical areas, including higher specialist training, research publications or audit.

HSC Values

• Working Together
• Compassion
• Excellence
• Openness & Honesty

Applicant Information
Successful applicants will be required to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK.

The Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer.