Job summary
This service is a collaboration between Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCFT) and the Sussex Federations: Brighton & Hove Federation (B&HF), Alliance for Better Care (ABC) and South Downs Health & Care (SDHC).
The Federations will be delivering the GP-led aspect of the Virtual Ward at a place-level to match SCFTs Urgent Community Response service across Sussex. SCFT provides the service in West Sussex, Brighton and Hove and the High Weald, Lewes and Havens area of East Sussex.
Hours of Work: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am to 1pm
Responsibilities
As of August 2024, SCFT re-modelled the Virtual Ward delivery and mobilised General Virtual Wards within Urgent Community Response (UCR), which supports Sussex patients within its catchment area with a higher level of acuity to be safely managed at home/chosen place of residence. This could be patients on either an admission avoidance pathway or early supported discharge pathway, where the alternative would be NHS bedded care.
The Virtual Ward activity is now prioritising admission avoidance whilst still delivering early supported discharge for patients from the Acute hospitals. It is delivered 365 days per year, 8am to 8pm. UCR teams within the SCFT footprint provide urgent support to help prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and ultimately keeping patients safely at the place they call home. There is a consistent service across Sussex and is made up of multi-disciplinary teams including General Practitioners, Nurses, Pharmacists, Therapists and Carers, ensuring they can meet a range of needs quickly offering the best level of support to patients.
Requirements
- Experience of working in a primary care environment
- Experience of continued professional development
- Experience and knowledge of Sussex ICB and referral systems
- Outstanding level of clinical knowledge and skills commensurate with that of an experienced GP
- Understands the importance of evidence-based practice and clinical effectiveness
- Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
- Strong IT skills (competent in the use of Office and Outlook)
- Effective time management (planning & organising)
- Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Problem solving & analytical skills
- Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
- Ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
- Experience with clinical risk management
- Understanding of clinical governance and quality issues as well as health and social policy
- Qualified GP General Practitioner (Certificate of Completion of Training CCT)
- Full GMC Registration National Performers List registration
- Appropriate defence indemnity (MPS/MDU)
- Adherence to the GMC standards/duties motivated, forward thinker
- Ability to work under pressure
- Commitment to ongoing professional development
- Flexibility of working hours to meet the needs of the service
- Car driver
About us
Alliance for Better Care (ABC) is a GP Federation uniting 77 NHS GP member practices across 98 sites within 24 Primary Care Networks in Sussex and Surrey. We support our Primary Care colleagues – and their patients – to transform how healthcare is delivered in their communities.
We work closely with GP Practices, PCNs, Hospitals, Community Organisations, and the Third Sector. These vital partnerships enable us to deliver a truly integrated approach that offers the support and expertise needed to effectively serve our populations.
Benefits package
- Generous annual leave allowance
- Access to NHS pension
- Bespoke training programme
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Enhanced maternity pay
- NHS discounts
- Leadership Development Programme
- Salary sacrifice schemes – technology and electric vehicle
- Opportunities for secondments