James is a knowledgeable and experienced transformation professional, and research and evaluation specialist; with a wealth of experience of commissioning, service delivery and redesign across the health sector. He brings an analytical approach to problem solving, and is skilled in managing complex stakeholder relationships and competing priorities to deliver rapid change. James has particular expertise in the development, redesign and evaluation of planned care and rehabilitation services; as well as experience in urgent & emergency care and long term conditions. He also specialises in strategy development, service reviews and evaluation; and the use of research evidence in commissioning, policy making and service transformation.

Background:
James joined SCW in 2013, moving from NHS South Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust where he was Commissioning Manager for Orthopaedics and Planned Care. James is a graduate of the national NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme with 14 years NHS experience. He has undertaken a variety of roles within the NHS and Department of Health, with a focus on commissioning,  policy development and evaluation. He also worked as a Knowledge Mobilisation Fellow at the University of Bristol (https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/tpp/ep/2019/00000015/00000002/art00008), where he concentrated on building effective links between health researchers and commissioners; and the development of robust, yet pragmatic, evaluation techniques. At SCW James has been involved in designing, delivering and leading a range of service redesign programmes, evidence reviews and service evaluations. James holds an MSc in Health & Public Leadership (University of Birmingham & Manchester Business School) and an MA (Hons) (1st) in History (University of St Andrews).

Professional Experience:

• Led development and production of national implementation guidance on Community Diagnostic Centres for NHS England and Improvement.
• Led development, pilot and evaluation of shared decision-making approaches in BSW including development of a data collection and measurement tool.
• Led qualitative review, and associated thematic analysis, of services and support for children with a learning disability and/or autistic children who suffer with constipation (https://scwcsu.nhs.uk/news-and-views/news/review-of-constipation-in-people-with-a-learning-disability-and-autistic-people).
• Supported successful delivery and operational management of 111 Covid Clinical Assessment Service (CCAS), including implementation of new rostering tool
• Evaluations, including: Cancer Quality of Life tool pilots for NHS England; PAM intervention with diabetes patients for Cornwall LPC; 111 CAS pilots for NHS England (with CHI2, University of Bath); new cancer diagnosis pathways trial (https://health-policy-systems.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12961-017-0267-8); local Bristol telehealth services (with University of Bristol and West of England AHSN); and Sussex telehealth in care homes pilot.
• Project management of national evaluation of the South Somerset Symphony programme (with CHE, University of York and South West AHSN).
• Review of CGA toolkits, working with University of Bristol and South Gloucestershire CCG (https://bjgpopen.org/content/2/1/bjgpopen18X101325).
• Support to South Gloucestershire CCG to develop and implement their Better Care Fund plans, including the procurement and redesign of new rehabilitation services
• Experience working with clinicians to redesign local orthopaedics pathways and performance manage 18 weeks for MSK services.
• Led on the commissioning and contracting of a new Patient Transport Service across the South West peninsula.
• Commissioning lead for Interventions Not Normally Funded policy development at Torbay Care Trust.
• Authored amended Sexual Health Confidentiality Directions and associated NHS Guidance at the Department of Health.

Education and Skills:

• James holds a MSc in Health & Public Leadership (University of Birmingham & Manchester Business School) and a MA (Hons) (1st) in History (University of St Andrews).
• Research and interpretation of evidence
• Literature searching and evidence reviews
• Service improvement, reviews and evaluation
• Qualitative research skills: including interviewing, focus groups and ethnographic observation
• Strategy and policy development
• Stakeholder management
• Pathway/service redesign
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Bid writing and development
• Project and programme management
• Wide-ranging links to a range of universities and other academic bodies