GovWire

Panel Chairs play an integral part on the Secretary of State for Transports Honorary Medical Advisory Panels, providing advice about medical standards for fitness to drive that accurately reflects the current understanding of a medical condition and its effect on the ability to drive.

Vacancy

DVLA is looking for General Medical Council (GMC) registered licensed consultants, and medical practitioners who have an outstanding record of achievement, personal credibility and senior level experience to join the Secretary of State for Transports Honorary Medical Psychiatry Panel.

All candidates should be able to demonstrate they:

• are GMC licenced to practice with full registration
• are a member or fellow of a relevant Royal College, academic institution or equivalent body
• currently active in clinical practice or research in their professional field

Number of vacancies

Were looking for one Psychiatry Panel Chair.

The deadline for applications closes at midnight on Sunday 1 September 2024.

Person specification

We welcome applications from medical professionals with a broad range of experience in the relevant fields. While your professional background and experience is important, what were most interested in is the way in which you use your experience.

Were looking for an engaged and enthusiastic panel member who can support our panel, challenge constructively and robustly, and provide a rich diversity of information and advice that will help DVLA to licence drivers appropriately.

Panel Chair role

As Panel Chair, you will be responsible for fulfilling the duties of an Expert Member plus overseeing the operation and output of the panel. As Panel Chair you will be expected to:

• attend a panel meeting on 3 separate days a year, plus preparation time beforehand to consider papers ahead of the meeting
• identify with the panel secretariat and DVLAs senior doctor the appropriate make up of the panel, relevant working and subgroups and appropriate experts to consider individual cases
• contribute in consultation with the panel secretariat to setting of panel agendas and, where appropriate, allocation of research for individual items to panel members
• identify with the panel secretariat and DVLAs senior doctor expertise needed on an ad hoc time limited basis for specific project or task
• chair the panel in a way which ensures that all members have the opportunity to express their views, making sure that the panel aims to reach a consensus, but not at the risk of failing to recognise diverse views
• ensure the panel works to the agenda and that discussions focus on issues associated with fitness to drive
• be responsible for ensuring the panel takes account of advice given by DfT or DVLA, considers a wide range of scientific and medical views of stakeholders at all times
• ensure the panel is balanced, based on consideration of the weight of all available information but identifies where data is lacking and outlines assumption and uncertainties
• make sure that where a consensus view cannot be reached, panel advice reflects the majority view, taking responsibility for making a final judgement when the panel is equally split
• be responsible for signing off panel publications making sure they accurately reflect the panel advice and detail the evidence base for it, detail panel discussions and acknowledge any differences of opinion; and ensure they are comprehensible from the view of a lay person (including panel minutes, working/subgroups reports, other communications with DfT/DVLA and the chairs annual report to the minister)
• be responsible for ensuring that any declaration of interest made by panel members are relevant to items being discussed at the meeting are identified and decide whether the interest conflicts with the role of the panel member, along with what action should be taken
• be responsible for ensuring the panel and members deliver effectively against the panel terms and conditions and that the panel complies with working practices at all times
• ensure the panel acts in accordance with the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees and takes account of relevant legislation, and other codes of practice and guidance
• contribute to the annual review in discussion with the panel secretariat and other officials as necessary
• consider the suitability of new applicants to become Expert Members of their respective panel
• ensure panel expertise is kept up to date with advancements in medical conditions and treatments

All panel members will be expected to abide by the Seven Principles of Public Life, sometimes referred to as Nolan Principles.

Location

Panel meetings take place in a hybrid format in London and over Microsoft Teams.

Remuneration

In line with DfT policy, these posts are voluntary and are not salaried but members will be reimbursed for travel and subsistence costs. One-off fees will also be paid to Expert Members for looking at complex casework outside of panel meetings.

Time requirements

A Panel Chair will be expected to devote a minimum of 3 days for attending panel meetings, in spring and autumn, and a separate meeting of all Panel Chairs each summer. The Panel Chair is also required to support the development of panel agendas and will be expected to provide advice to DVLAs team of doctors on complex casework relating to psychiatric disorders.

Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes will not be available for successful candidates.

Security

Successful candidates must pass basic security checks. Due diligence checks will also be carried out.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA), and certain non EEA nationals. Check the information on nationality requirements.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissions recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. We guarantee to interview anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post. If you are submitting an application as a DCS candidate, please ensure you inform the vacancy holder when you submit your application.

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please see the applicant information and guidance for panel members and the terms and conditions.

You can submit your completed application form to: medicalpanelapplications@dvla.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Contact point for applicants

For further information on the roles and responsibilities for these vacancies, please contact Dr Nick Jenkins, DVLA senior doctor:nick.jenkins@dvla.gov.uk

Sift and interview dates and location

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 1 September 2024.

Short listing will take place between Monday 2 and Friday 6 September 2024.

Panel Chair interviews will take place between Monday 16 and Friday 27 September 2024 (subject to change). These will be conducted over Microsoft Teams.

Successful candidates will be recommended to the minister for appointment and advised of the date they will join their panel.