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Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Patient Champion

The closing date is 31 July 2025

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Job summary

This role is a unique opportunity to support the Trust in the development of this service, and healthcare for the trans community at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. This includes implementing our vision of creating a high quality, patient centered service that will deliver life-changing benefits to patients. Our principles are based on patients having equal access to surgical services whatever their gender identity with reasonable adjustments to the delivery of care to match the individual's needs and circumstances.

The role of the Patient Champion is to develop an in-depth understanding of the needs of trans patients, representing their interests in the development of gender affirming services in the Trust.

The Patient Champion will engage with the trans community to organise community forums, workshops and general channels involving trans participants. They will support service improvements by ensuring the model of care is shaped by active service user involvement, and will be able to demonstrate how this is achieved via means that are accessible, transparent and inclusive.

The role will involve working collaboratively with the clinical and operational teams to support health promotion and advocate for trans patients by building relationships with voluntary groups and third sector partners.

Main duties of the job

The Patient Champion will work across the directorate to establish effective reviews and developments of policies, guidelines and procedures where needed.

They will also play a key role in promoting respect, dignity and equality for trans people and ensure services the Trust provides are timely, responsive and tailored to their needs. The Patient Champion will promote the trans community by working alongside the clinical team in delivering effective educational training workshops.

The role will involve being a confident speaker and using presentation skills to engage with the wider Trust.

About us

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe that diversity drives innovation and excellence. As part of our dedication to equity, we actively welcome applications from individuals from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that diverse teams bring and are committed to creating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered to succeed."

If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.

Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Details

Date posted

24 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£37,259 to £45,356 a year pro rata per annum incl. HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

289-SC-123

Job locations

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

369 Fulham Road

London

SW10 9NH


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To promote patient support, advice and advocacy groups across the service.
  • Work alongside clinicians and volunteers to refer and signpost patients to internal and external services, statutory and non-statutory organisations.
  • To support the Directorate in meeting the requirements set out in the national service specification for Gender Dysphoria Service for Adults (surgical interventions).
  • To attend Directorate level meetings as required.
  • To represent the patients point of view at management level on internal and external committees, panels and organisations.
  • To develop a strong working relationship with the TransPlus Gender Dysphoria Clinic at 56 Dean Street.
  • Support the service in developing robust and regular patient experience feedback mechanisms and implementation plans.
  • To support the Chair of the Patient Forum.
  • To maintain an accurate and secure database of trans patients willing to engage with the Directorate to develop services.
  • To organise workshops, forums, focus groups, social events.
  • To establish an effective approach to publicising the Directorates patient focused activities.
  • To advise on the development of communication and marketing materials.

Please see attached job description and person specification to this advert for further details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To promote patient support, advice and advocacy groups across the service.
  • Work alongside clinicians and volunteers to refer and signpost patients to internal and external services, statutory and non-statutory organisations.
  • To support the Directorate in meeting the requirements set out in the national service specification for Gender Dysphoria Service for Adults (surgical interventions).
  • To attend Directorate level meetings as required.
  • To represent the patients point of view at management level on internal and external committees, panels and organisations.
  • To develop a strong working relationship with the TransPlus Gender Dysphoria Clinic at 56 Dean Street.
  • Support the service in developing robust and regular patient experience feedback mechanisms and implementation plans.
  • To support the Chair of the Patient Forum.
  • To maintain an accurate and secure database of trans patients willing to engage with the Directorate to develop services.
  • To organise workshops, forums, focus groups, social events.
  • To establish an effective approach to publicising the Directorates patient focused activities.
  • To advise on the development of communication and marketing materials.

Please see attached job description and person specification to this advert for further details.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Understanding of equality and diversity and needs of people with gender dysphoria
  • Ability to form professional, interpersonal relationships and maintain clear boundaries with service users in an empathetic fashion
  • Ability to represent the views of trans service users in a constructive and structured manner
  • Clear understanding of patient confidentiality and safeguarding
  • Previous experience in user involvement or voluntary/paid work in a relevant field
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to lead, influence and negotiate with staff at all levels
  • Knowledge of current issues related to gender identity/gender dysphoria
  • Educated to GCSE level or equivalent

Desirable

  • Knowledge and experience of working in an NHS environment
  • Experience of arranging and managing meetings/focus groups/patient forums
Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Understanding of equality and diversity and needs of people with gender dysphoria
  • Ability to form professional, interpersonal relationships and maintain clear boundaries with service users in an empathetic fashion
  • Ability to represent the views of trans service users in a constructive and structured manner
  • Clear understanding of patient confidentiality and safeguarding
  • Previous experience in user involvement or voluntary/paid work in a relevant field
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to lead, influence and negotiate with staff at all levels
  • Knowledge of current issues related to gender identity/gender dysphoria
  • Educated to GCSE level or equivalent

Desirable

  • Knowledge and experience of working in an NHS environment
  • Experience of arranging and managing meetings/focus groups/patient forums

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

369 Fulham Road

London

SW10 9NH


Employer's website

https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

369 Fulham Road

London

SW10 9NH


Employer's website

https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Junior Service Manager– Gender Affirmation Surgery

Emily Hopwood

emily.hopwood3@nhs.net

07887754031

Details

Date posted

24 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£37,259 to £45,356 a year pro rata per annum incl. HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

289-SC-123

Job locations

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

369 Fulham Road

London

SW10 9NH


Supporting documents

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