Brain Heath Scotland seeks Clinical Advisor

Brain Health Scotland

A paradigm shift is underway in the clinical management of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, away from diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic disease and towards proactive detection and early intervention in preclinical disease.

The Scottish Government has committed in its Programme for Government that every part of Scotland will have access to a Brain Health Service by 2025. In tandem with public health and policy initiatives, this will deliver a significant reduction in the numbers of people with late-stage neurodegenerative disease and deliver transformative human, societal and economic benefit

We are seeking the engagement of a clinical advisor to act in a consultancy capacity for the provision of services to assist in the development of a number of demonstrator sites that will implement evidence-based risk profiling, early disease detection and implementation of personalised prevention plans. These sites will also support recruitment to research studies as well as ensure consistency of the clinical model across all centres in Scotland. This represents the first national programme of a care pathway dedicated to prevention of dementia as opposed to management of illness.

The purpose of the engagement

As the Lead Clinical Adviser to Brain Health Scotland, you would be expected to:

• Provide expert advice in the development of new brain health services in Scotland, liaising with NHS, Health and Social Care Partnership and Scottish Government colleagues, to establish both demonstrator projects and longer-term roll-out plans. This will involve attending meetings with relevant stakeholders and providing written advice, as requested by the Executive Lead.

Key activities

• Lead on development of clinical practice guidelines for brain health services, to be used by multi-disciplinary teams at our demonstrator sites.
• Lead and respond to discussions on clinical elements of the demonstrator sites, including evidence base, clinical decision-making, governance, interventions and data requirements.
• Provide clinical expertise, as necessary, to embed new services and brain health mindset across clinical, research and policymaking sectors.
• Advise upon and support efforts to increase participation in and funding of dementia and brain health research in Scotland.
• Be available to chair or attend relevant committees, including a professional advisory group and programme board, as requested by the Executive Lead.

The Clinical Advisor will undertake the role, on an independent contractor basis, and liaise with the Executive Lead for BHS in all relevant matters.

Whilst the post will have a base at BHS offices at 160 Dundee Street, Edinburgh, remote working for most of this role is anticipated. Travel to the demonstrator sites will be required.

Knowledge, skills and experience

Essential

• Medically qualified with Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)
• Senior or trainee consultant
• Extensive experience of working at consultant level in dementia field
• Professional indemnity insurance to an agreed level of cover

Desirable

• Experience of working in Brain Health Services
• Evidence of: Providing clinical advice at national and regional level; Involvement in developing and delivering new services
• Medically qualified with Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT)
• Extensive experience of working at consultant level in dementia field
• Professional indemnity insurance to an agreed level of cover Desirable

Time Commitment and Fee

It is anticipated the consultancy will require the equivalent of 1day per week, although this may be varied by agreement. A fee of £300 per day will be payable for the provision of agreed services.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit a CV and supporting statement to Anna Borthwick by Tuesday 20 December. Interviews will be held shortly thereafter.