Second Opinion Appointed Doctor (SOAD)

Location: We are currently targeting London and East of England with a particular focus on North London, Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. However, we are also accepting applications nationally for this role.

Please note that this role may require travel to hospitals.

Working Hours: The role is ad-hoc, however, candidates must have availability to commit to a minimum of 40 second opinions per year.

Fees: £220.00 per second opinion. There are also supplements applicable for prioritising urgent SOAD work and for visiting hospitals at greater distances from your home base. Fees and expenses, including mileage, will be payable in accordance with CQC's policies.

Closing date: Sunday 8th June 2025 at 11:59pm

This role is NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected, and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

Are you committed to helping us safeguard patients subject to the Mental Health Act against inappropriate treatments? When thinking about what drives you every day in your job and what keeps you motivated and passionate about your work, what comes to mind? For 3000+ people at the CQC we end each day knowing that we have made a difference to the lives of those most in need in our communities. We are looking for people who are caring and demonstrate integrity to join with us in our work to protect patients. If you would like to help us make a positive impact in our service for patients within England, then read on.

The role of the Second Opinion Appointed Doctor is a challenging one, which demands professional credibility, the ability to question decisions in a non-adversarial but firm style, and excellent negotiating and inter-personal skills. It will be necessary for you to be able to place decisions about medicine within the wider context of treatment, and you must be able to balance the interests of the patient against the need for treatment. The ability to employ independent judgement and to justify decisions in the face of potential external pressures is essential.

We are looking for consultant psychiatrists with a demonstrable commitment to a rights-based approach, in-depth knowledge and experience of psychiatry in a variety of clinical settings, and considerable experience of working with detained patients. Candidates should have current or recent hands-on practice in a clinical environment, and should be up to date with current practice, both clinical and non-clinical, including measures to promote equality of service provision for all patients. Successful candidates will be required to attend a remote, virtual training session for the duration of 1 - 2 days.

What You Will Bring To The Role:

Successful candidates will have held a permanent substantive post as a consultant psychiatrist for at least five years. We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate an interest in and commitment to improving the lives of detained patients.

Accountabilities:

• SOADs are expected to undertake all aspects of the role relating to Section 58, Section 58a and Supervised Community Treatment including:
• Interviewing the patient in private where possible and applicable.
• Understanding the patient’s circumstances through reading of relevant documents and records.
• Reviewing the proposed treatment plan and current medicine administration charts.
• Talking to two professionals involved in the patient’s medical treatment also known as statutory consultees.
• Seeking additional information to inform their decision as appropriate.
• A SOAD is required to make decisions on the appropriateness of treatment and whether to certify this, based on their own independent judgement, taking into consideration clinical rationale, the interests of the patient, and the implementation of the Act and the Code of Practice.
• Second Opinions can be carried out by visiting a hospital or remotely through video or telephone contact. While it is possible and at times necessary to carry out second opinions out of normal working hours, we expect that the majority of second opinions will occur within weekday daytimes.
• Having made their decision, the SOAD must then record their decision and the reasons for it. They must also report to CQC any issues of concern which will be shared with Inspectors and Mental Health Act Reviewers.

Please note, shortlisted candidates will be required to provide a Letter of Endorsement from their employer prior to interview.

Essential Criteria:

• GMC registered with a license to practice medicine.
• GMC Specialist registration.
• MRCPsych or equivalent qualification recognised by the RCPsych.
• Substantive consultant status in psychiatry for at least five years (appointed via article 14 equivalence or higher training).
• Registered in good standing for CPD.
• S12(2) approved at the point of application (you do not have to maintain this post-appointment).
• Current or recent hands-on clinical practice.
• Breadth of psychiatric practice in a variety of settings.
• Experience of working with patients liable to compulsion.
• Excellent inter-personal skills.
• Ability to process information and follow protocols.
• Demonstrable practical commitment to equality and diversity.
• Legible handwriting.
• Availability to undertake a minimum of 40 second opinions per year (it is possible to complete several opinions in one day).
• Availability to attend mandatory training events (currently one day annually) and ad hoc training or peer group meetings.
• Computer literate, with experience of sending and receiving email, completing MS Word documents, receiving PDF documents and use of encryption applications.
• Currently employed by an NHS trust or Independent Healthcare Provider that is rated as good or outstanding.

Desirable Criteria:

• Evidence of leadership in relevant areas.
• Experience of multi-disciplinary working at a senior level.
• Specialist expertise, e.g. CAMHS, Elderly, Forensic.
• Interest in Mental Health work.

We are committed to being open and transparent around our processes and we endeavour to offer every candidate the opportunity to perform at their best throughout the recruitment process. We seek to support candidates to identify potential challenges and work with them to identify and facilitate reasonable adjustments as appropriate. Should you require assistance and/or would like to request a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact Craig Jennings at craig.jennings@cqc.org.uk.

CQC is committed to promoting a fair and inclusive workplace where all our people can flourish and reach their full potential. We know diverse teams allow for a more creative and productive environment and therefore encourage applications from everyone regardless of: age, gender/sex, gender identity or expression, religion or belief, disability, ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Candidates must ensure that all information provided in their application is detailed in their own words and is factually accurate. Any examples provided must be taken from personal experience. CQC abides by honesty and integrity as part of its core values; if evidence of plagiarism or generating answers from other sources is found, applications may be withdrawn.

Our Values:

• Excellence – Meeting our challenge to be a high-performing organisation
• Caring – Treating everyone with dignity and respect
• Integrity – Demonstrating our passion for ‘doing the right thing’
• Teamwork – Enabling us to be the best we can