Appeals panel - Health Service representative

We are looking to appoint up to 2 people working in the UK health services to take part in our appeal panels. The appeal panels are responsible for hearing appeals against our final draft guidance in the technology appraisal (new drugs and other technologies used in the NHS) and highly specialised technologies (the evaluation of technologies for treating patients with very rare diseases and very complex healthcare needs) programmes.

Main duties of the job:

• Set aside enough time to attend panel meetings and use their personal and professional knowledge to inform the appeal panel's deliberations.
• Raise any concerns about the process or the panel's proposed decision with the panel, and try to resolve these issues within the panel, with support from the legal adviser prior to publication of the panel's decision letter.
• Contribute positively to the work of the panel and to developing the appeal decision letter.
• Take full account of the evidence in making decisions.
• Act in a professional manner, show good manners and be courteous to colleagues and staff at all times.
• Be impartial and honest in conducting their role, and avoid deliberately damaging the confidence of the public or stakeholders in NICE.
• Read and adhere to NICE's Principles.
• Read and adhere to NICE's policies on hospitality, declarations of interests and travel and subsistence.

Panel members are expected to attend approximately 2 day-long appeal hearings a year (but no more than 5). Appeal hearings are currently held virtually. In addition to attending appeal hearings, panel members are required to:

• Read substantial appeal papers in advance of each hearing.
• Review the final draft of the panel's decision letter approximately 2 weeks after the hearing.

Appointment will be for 5 years and will be eligible for renewal. The second and further periods of office will be for periods agreed mutually, up to a maximum of 10 years. The initial appointment, and any subsequent reappointment(s) are subject to approval by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

Job responsibilities:

• Write part of the panel's decision and review the final draft of the panel's decision letter approximately 2 weeks after the hearing.
• Contribute to the panel deliberations from their own specialist knowledge whilst respecting input from non-specialists and lay persons.
• Apply your own experience and judgement to the topics under discussion.
• Work with other members of the Appeal Panel to identify key issues relating to the grounds of appeal.
• Prepare for appeal hearings by reading the substantive papers and communicate by email between meetings.
• Work with the Appeal Panel to formulate the appeal decision.
• Understand the needs and experiences of NHS staff and patients, and be able to effectively communicate a balanced view when dealing with difficult situations at appeals that will impact the NHS and the life sciences industry.
• Abide by NICE's policies and processes including declarations of interest.
• Participate in induction training and other training which may be offered periodically.

Person Specification:

• Ability to contribute to the work of the advisory body.
• Experience in the NHS or the public health service as a currently practicing senior healthcare or public health professional in the UK with active registration with the appropriate professional body.
• An understanding of the social, political, economic and professional influences on NICE and the NHS.
• Ability to draw out and articulate a balanced view on the issues arising from an appeal that are relevant to the clinical and pharmaceutical environment.
• Ability to weigh up competing potentially complex arguments and make decisions in meetings that are open to the public.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Time to commit to the work of the appeal panel.
• Discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.
• A broad understanding of what NHS staff and patients want from a publicly funded health service.
• An understanding of the NICE technology appraisal and highly specialised technologies appeal process.
• Ability to understand and interpret multiple complex data sets.
• Knowledge of health technology research methodologies.

Equality and diversity:

• Commitment to eliminating unlawful discrimination, advancing equality and an understanding or awareness of the issues of inequality in health, public health and social care settings.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£1 to £2,208 a session per appeal please see information pack for more details.