[Hiring] Second Opinion Appointed Doctor @Care Quality Commission

Role Description

We are currently accepting applications nationally for the role of Secondary Opinion Appointed Doctor. 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: 07/09/2025 at 11.59pm

The role of SOAD is a challenging one which demands:

• Professional credibility
• The ability to question decisions in a non-adversarial but firm style
• Excellent negotiating and inter-personal skills

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

Accountabilities:

• Interviewing the patient in private where possible and applicable
• Understanding the patient’s circumstances through reading of relevant documents/records
• Reviewing the current and proposed treatment plan
• Talking to two professionals involved in the patient’s medical treatment (statutory consultees)
• Seeking additional information to inform their decision as appropriate
• Certifying appropriate treatments and recording the reasons for this

A SOAD is required to make decisions on whether treatments are appropriate and issue certificates accordingly, 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 (85%) will occur within weekday daytimes.

Having made their decision, the SOAD must then record their decision and the reasons for it. SOADs also report to CQC any issues of concern identified when carrying out their work which will be shared with Mental Health Act Reviewers and Inspectors.

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

Qualifications

• 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 three 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
• Availability to undertake a minimum of 40 second opinions per year
• 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

Requirements

• 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

Benefits

• Training and development opportunities
• Wellbeing initiatives, such as gym discounts and meditation
• NHS pension scheme, with around 14% employer contribution
• Discount schemes (including eligibility for a Blue Light card, at a cost of £4.99 and valid for 2 years), reward vouchers, car leasing and more