Job Description

Applications are open to add three Individual Funding Request (IFR) Panel members to our current pool. NHS England operates a national IFR Policy and Standard Operating Procedure for the prescribed services it has commissioning responsibility for Specialised Services, Armed Forces, Health & Justice and secondary dental services. A national IFR Panel meets approximately 3 times a month to consider IFR applications for a funding decision. NHS England are looking for a pool of clinicians (either from acute providers or clinical commissioning groups/general practitioners) who are interested in equitable distribution of resources, familiar with difficult decision making and balancing the needs of an individual against the opportunity costs to a population.The appointment is offered on a remunerated sessional basis, for a period of 1 year. Two Programmed Activity (PA) Equivalent Per Panel meeting, up to four Panel meetings per annum, with employment remaining with the host organisation.Main duties of the jobExperience is required across a range of specialties, although expertise in specific service areas is not required for the role, with individuals possessing sound critical appraisal skills. Individuals will be expected to attend mandatory introductory training to understand the IFR policy, practice and the requirement for fairness in resource allocation. Panel attendance for individuals will then be approximately one day per quarter with a days preparation. This time will be reimbursed.About usNHS England and NHS Improvement came together on 1 April 2019 as a new single organisation. The NHS Long Term Plan focuses on delivering integrated care to patients at the local level and we can best support the NHS to deliver this as a single integrated organisation.Our new operating model represents a strong shift to regional delivery supported by expert corporate teams. Local health systems are supported by our integrated regional teams who play a major leadership role in the geographies they manage.Specialised services support people with a range of rare and complex conditions. They often involve treatments provided to patients with rare cancers, genetic disorders or complex medical or surgical conditions.We are jointly committed to creating and maintaining a fair and supportive working environment and culture, where contributions are fully recognised and valued by all and staff feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities. As employers we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and well-being of all our staff. This underpins our values as set out in the NHS Constitution, supports us to be an Employer of Choice and ultimately enables our employees to support the effective care of our patients.Date posted29 April 2025Pay schemeOtherSalaryxc2xa3336.25 a session Reimbursement is offered at 2 sessions (PAs) per panelContractHonoraryDuration1 yearsWorking patternPart-time, Flexible workingReference numberM0034-25-0001Job locationsWellington House, 133-135 Waterloo Road,LondonSE1 8UGJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe IFR Panel works on behalf of NHS England and makes decisions in respect of funding treatments for individual cases. The IFR Panel will adhere to the published NHS England IFR Policy and each request will be processed by following the NHS England IFR SOP. This will ensure that all requests are considered in a consistent, fair and transparent way, with decisions based on the available clinical evidence presented by the treating clinicians and the NHS England commissioning principles.The IFR Panel has a core membership working on a rotational basis, including clinical leads, Patient and Public Voice representatives, Specialised Commissioning Regional Medical Director (or deputy), Specialised Commissioning Regional Director of Nursing (or deputy), Specialised Commissioning Regional Programme of Care Lead, Public Health Consultant/Specialist, Pharmacy Lead, and appropriate representatives from other prescribed services as appropriate according the individual cases being considered.The IFR Panel Clinical Member role will involve:

• Providing a clinical perspective within the IFR Panel meetings
• Understanding the need to ensure value for patients and the public for the resources available to NHS England prescribed services
• Participating in IFR Panel meetings on a rotational basis
• Participating in the mandatory NHS England IFR training sessions

All members of the IFR Panel will contribute a professional and corporate perspective to the deliberations of the Panel. They are expected to:

• actively participate in discussions so that a full discussion about each case takes place, enabling a balance between the needs of the individual and equity and fairness for the population;
• support consensus decisions that take account of any impact on individuals or other agencies;
• support the decision making process of the IFR Panel so that it is equitable;
• share with the IFR team any learning gained to ensure that organisational learning occurs.

The Clinical Member will:

• receive anonymised and appropriately redacted application forms and relevant copies of any additional correspondence or reports which may be relevant to an individual case prior to each meeting;
• undertake appropriate preparation ahead of IFR Panel meetings by fully reading and critically appraising the documentation supporting each case;
• participate effectively in IFR Panel meetings, as described above, to help to ensure that the decisions and recommendations of the IFR Panel are reached by consensus or majority voting based on the information, evidence and any requested expert advice provided to it;
• ensure the Chair is aware of any declarations of interest ahead of any case discussion;
• be expected to be available to attend the IFR meetings at least once a quarter.

Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesThe IFR Panel works on behalf of NHS England and makes decisions in respect of funding treatments for individual cases. The IFR Panel will adhere to the published NHS England IFR Policy and each request will be processed by following the NHS England IFR SOP. This will ensure that all requests are considered in a consistent, fair and transparent way, with decisions based on the available clinical evidence presented by the treating clinicians and the NHS England commissioning principles.The IFR Panel has a core membership working on a rotational basis, including clinical leads, Patient and Public Voice representatives, Specialised Commissioning Regional Medical Director (or deputy), Specialised Commissioning Regional Director of Nursing (or deputy), Specialised Commissioning Regional Programme of Care Lead, Public Health Consultant/Specialist, Pharmacy Lead, and appropriate representatives from other prescribed services as appropriate according the individual cases being considered.The IFR Panel Clinical Member role will involve:

• Providing a clinical perspective within the IFR Panel meetings
• Understanding the need to ensure value for patients and the public for the resources available to NHS England prescribed services
• Participating in IFR Panel meetings on a rotational basis
• Participating in the mandatory NHS England IFR training sessions

All members of the IFR Panel will contribute a professional and corporate perspective to the deliberations of the Panel. They are expected to:

• actively participate in discussions so that a full discussion about each case takes place, enabling a balance between the needs of the individual and equity and fairness for the population;
• support consensus decisions that take account of any impact on individuals or other agencies;
• support the decision making process of the IFR Panel so that it is equitable;
• share with the IFR team any learning gained to ensure that organisational learning occurs.

The Clinical Member will:

• receive anonymised and appropriately redacted application forms and relevant copies of any additional correspondence or reports which may be relevant to an individual case prior to each meeting;
• undertake appropriate preparation ahead of IFR Panel meetings by fully reading and critically appraising the documentation supporting each case;
• participate effectively in IFR Panel meetings, as described above, to help to ensure that the decisions and recommendations of the IFR Panel are reached by consensus or majority voting based on the information, evidence and any requested expert advice provided to it;
• ensure the Chair is aware of any declarations of interest ahead of any case discussion;
• be expected to be available to attend the IFR meetings at least once a quarter.

Person SpecificationExperienceEssential

• Senior clinician with leadership experience and credibility
• Experience of developing, applying and reviewing an evidence-based approach to decision making

Desirable

• Experience of participation on a local IFR Panel would be advantageous

QualificationsEssential

• Educated to degree level in a medical/scientific/nursing/allied health discipline

Person SpecificationExperienceEssential

• Senior clinician with leadership experience and credibility
• Experience of developing, applying and reviewing an evidence-based approach to decision making

Desirable

• Experience of participation on a local IFR Panel would be advantageous

QualificationsEssential

• Educated to degree level in a medical/scientific/nursing/allied health discipline

NHS