Vacancy -- Chair - All Wales Medicines Strategy Group

Vacancy details

All Wales Medicines Strategy Group
The AWMSG meetings are usually held in Llandough Hospital, Cardiff. In the current environment, meetings have been held virtually via Microsoft Teams.
The post is unsalaried but the successful candidate will be entitled to receive an honorarium at a daily rate of £337. Travel and other reasonable expenses (including GP locum costs) that might be incurred in carrying out work on behalf of AWMSG can also be claimed from the AWMSG within the recognised limits. You may also be eligible to claim reimbursement for costs in relation to child care/care of the elderly/assistant carer, whilst carrying out work on behalf of the AWMSG.
30
year

Function of body

Background 

Established in 2002, the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) is a non-statutory scientific advisory committee which provides advice in an effective, efficient and transparent manner to the Welsh Ministers on strategic medicines 
management and prescribing matters. 

The AWMSG appraisal process, which has been recognised by the NHS Evidence Accreditation Scheme, gives patients in Wales, routine access to medicines ahead of appraisal by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). 

Committee’s Role

The AWMSG brings together an expert panel including NHS doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare staff academics, health economists, industry representatives, patient advocates and lay representatives to reach a consensus on the use of new medicines 
within NHS Wales. It develops policies that promote the best use of medicines for patients in Wales. These decisions impact on medicines management issues affecting both primary and secondary care. The main priorities of AWMSG are: 

- Advise Welsh Ministers of emerging technologies and medicines management to support strategic planning; 

 - Develop timely, independent and authoritative advice on new medicines and on the cost implications of making these medicines routinely available; 

- Advise the Welsh Government on the development of a consistent evidence based and cost-effective medicines strategy for Wales. 

The work of AWMSG is planned via the AWMSG Steering Committee. This committee prioritises the work programme of AWMSG to ensure the efficient use of AWMSG resources. AWMSG works closely with NICE to complement the NICE Health Technology 
Appraisal programme. All meetings of AWMSG are open to the public.

Role description

The appointed Chair will: 

- Play a key role in shaping the medicine management agenda in Wales, and the implementing AWMSG’s prescribing strategy;

- Provide strategic direction to the NHS in Wales and all key stakeholders.;

- Play a critical role in ensuring the work of the All Wales Therapeutics and Toxicology Centre (AWTTC) supports the Committee and NHS Wales in achieving their strategic objectives;

- Be instrumental in developing innovative partnerships which benefit patients;
 
-  Achieve best outcomes from the use of medicines in Wales;

-  Chair up to ten AWMSG meetings each year and be a member of the AWMSG Steering Committee which meets monthly; 

-  Responsible for appointment and appraisal of Steering Group members.

Other aspects of the role:

-  Regular meetings with key stakeholder organisations e.g. ABPI Cymru, Heads of Pharmacy, Health Technology Wales, NICE;

-  Bi-monthly liaison with Welsh Government officials;

-  Regular liaison with Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Head of Pharmacy – as line manager of the All Wales Therapeutics and Toxicology Centre (AWTTC) staff *

* AWTTC provides the secretariat, pharmaceutical, clinical and health economics 
support to AWMSG, its sub-groups and NHS Wales in achieving their strategic 
objectives.

Welsh language skills

The Welsh Government acknowledges the importance of developing and growing bilingual capabilities in public appointments in Wales, and welcomes applications from candidates who demonstrate their capability to work in both English and Welsh.  The following list of language requirements represents an objective assessment by the recruiting body of the Welsh language skills required to undertake the duties of this particular post.
Desirable
Can read some basic words and phrases with understanding
Can write basic messages on everyday topics
Can understand basic conversations about everyday topics
Can hold simple work-related conversations

Person specification

To be considered, you must be able to demonstrate that you have the qualities, skills and experience to meet all the essential criteria for appointment. In addition you must be able to evidence the personal attributes and skills as listed below:

Essential Criteria

- An interest in, and knowledge of the National Health Service and how it operates in Wales along with a detailed knowledge of pharmaceutical issues affecting patients;

- A persuasive communicator, capable of effectively chairing meetings and supporting the development of committees;

- A proven ability of providing effective and visible leadership skills;

- Ability to demonstrate inclusive leadership and a clear understanding and commitment to diversity and inclusion;

- An ability to understand of the importance of high standards in public life and of the importance of patient and public engagement; and 

- A proven track record of success or achievement in the public, voluntary or private sectors. 

Personal Attributes and Skills 

-  Ability to motivate and inspire staff;

-  Good communication skills;

-  Engage with staff and staff representatives at all levels within the organisation; and

-  Drive and determination, with the ability to instil vision and develop defined strategies to pursue long and short-term goals.


Welsh Language 

Welsh language skills are desirable but not essential for the role of Chair.

Interview dates

6 September 2021
7 September 2021

Closing date

12/07/2021, 16:00

Additional information

Contacts:

For further information regarding the selection process, please contact:

Public Appointments Team
Public Bodies Unit
Email: publicappointments@gov.wales

For further information regarding the role of the AWMSG and the role of Chair please 
contact Darren Ormond on:

Tel: 02920825621
Email: Darren.Ormond@gov.wales

If you need any further assistance in applying for this role, please contact 
publicappointments@gov.wales. 

For further information about Public Appointments in Wales, please visit 
www.gov.wales/publicappointments.

How to apply

To apply for this role, click on the ‘Apply’ button below. The first time you apply for a post, you will need to complete a registration form for the Welsh Government’s online application system.  You will only need to register once, and you will be able to keep yourself updated on the progress of your application, and any other applications you make, via your registered account.

Once you’ve registered, you’ll be able to access the application form.  To apply you will need to submit two supporting documents. The first, a document outlining how your knowledge, skills and experiences meet the criteria for the role as outlined in the information for candidates.  This document should be no more than 2 sides of A4.  Your application may be rejected if you exceed this limit.  The second document is a full, up to date CV.  The two documents should be uploaded to the ‘Reasons for applying’ section of the online application form.

In your application, you will also be asked to provide details of any activities which have helped you to develop skills that would be useful in a public appointment role, and list the organisations for which you undertook these activities.  We also need to know about any political activity that you’ve undertaken over the last 5 years. 

It is recommended that you register for an account and access the application form as soon as possible so that you see how the application form is structured, before starting to prepare your evidence.  You don’t have to complete the application form all in one go.  You can save your responses, and log in and out as required, until you’re ready to submit – just follow the guidance in the application form.

If you’d like to apply for this opportunity in Welsh, please use the ‘Newid Iaith / Change Language’ link at the top of this page, to take you to the Welsh version of this advert, from which you can apply in Welsh.

If you need any further assistance in applying for this role, please contact the Welsh Government’s Public Appointments Team on  PublicAppointments@gov.wales.

For further information about Public Appointments in Wales, please visit www.gov.wales/publicappointments

Commissioner for Public Appointments logo

This vacancy is closed to applications.