NHS England
National Specialty Adviser-Laboratory Medicine and Effectiveness

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Diagnostics Recovery & Transformation Programme
The Diagnostics Recovery & Transformation Programme is the largest single investment programme in the NHS in terms of capital and revenue combined (second largest after New Hospital Programme in terms of capital only).
It Is Delivering Twin Priorities
- A significant transformation in the NHS diagnostic model (delivering recommendations of 2020 Richards Review)
- Recovery of diagnostic services as a key element of overall elective recovery and cancer performance.
The National Diagnostics Has Four Key Diagnostic Disciplines
Each team is made of subject matter experts including clinicians and implementation leads who each lead work across a priority area:
- Imaging
- Pathology
- GI Endoscopy
- Physiological Sciences
The pathology transformation element of this work seeks to boost the productivity and resilience of pathology services through the development of pathology networks, with the associated investment in shared digital infrastructure and equipment as well as workforce training and development.
Responsibilities
The National Specialty Adviser(s) are responsible for providing expert clinical advice to the Diagnostics Recovery & Transformation Programme as well as expert professional advice and support in the development of strategy and policy relating to the Diagnostics programme and specialty programme workstream.
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The role of the National Specialty Advisor (NSA) is to support senior leaders including Senior Responsible Owners (SROs), National Clinical Directors and Medical Directors to provide clinical advice in four respects:
- Clinical advice to drive transformation of services;
- Clinical advice to support identification and delivery of our corporate clinical priorities (at national and regional level);
- Clinical advice to support the commissioning of services; and
- Clinical advice on ad hoc issues to support parliamentary accountability.
NHS England Board Purpose
The NHS England Board has set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all, which will inform the detailed design work and we will achieve this purpose by:
- Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities.
- Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential.
- Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care.
- Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation.
- Delivering value for money.


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If you would like to know more or require further information, please visit https://www.england.nhs.uk/.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.
Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.
NHS England holds a Sponsor Licence; this means that we may be able to sponsor you providing the Home Office requirements are met. To be eligible for sponsorship through the Skilled Worker route you’ll usually need to be paid the ‘standard’ salary rate of at least £38,700 per year, or the ‘going rate’ for your job, whichever is higher. You can find more information on the Government website.
For further details / informal visits contact:
- Name: James Cook
- Job title: Director of Diagnostic Disciplines
- Email address: james.cook3@nhs.net
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