Job overview

We are seeking an exceptional and motivated Head of Governance and Patient Safety to join our Governance Directorate. This is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for driving patient safety, quality governance and organisational learning across the Trust, with specific leadership responsibility for governance teams supporting the Medicine, Outpatients and Emergency Medicine Divisions.

Reporting to the Associate Director of Quality and Patient Safety, you will play a key role in delivering the NHS Patient Safety Strategy, embedding the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF), and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, openness and learning. You will work closely with clinical and operational leaders to ensure governance systems are effective, proportionate and focused on improving patient outcomes and experiences.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced governance, quality or patient safety leader to influence strategic decision-making, support high-quality care and contribute to the Trust's vision of delivering excellent patient care, together.

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As Head of Governance and Patient Safety, you will provide operational leadership for governance, patient safety and risk management across the Medicine, Outpatients and Emergency Medicine Divisions, while contributing to the delivery of the Trust-wide patient safety agenda.

You will work on embedding the NHS Patient Safety Strategy and PSIRF, ensuring robust systems are in place for incident management, investigations, organisational learning and patient safety improvement. The role is also responsible for working in partnership with the divisional triumvirate to oversee divisional governance functions including risk management, complaints, claims, inquests, clinical audit, quality assurance and regulatory compliance 

Working collaboratively with senior clinical and operational leaders, you will provide expert advice on governance and patient safety matters, support quality improvement initiatives and ensure that learning from incidents, audits and patient feedback results in meaningful and sustainable improvements. You will also lead the development of high-quality assurance reports and provide governance support to senior committees and the Trust Board.

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The successful candidate will lead and develop a team of governance professionals and work across organisational boundaries to strengthen quality governance, patient safety and assurance arrangements. They will oversee complex investigations, support divisional and corporate risk management processes, monitor governance performance and provide expert analysis of patient safety information to support informed decision-making.

The role requires the ability to influence at senior levels, manage competing priorities and translate complex information into clear recommendations for improvement. You will work closely with clinicians, operational leaders, patients and external stakeholders to ensure that governance and patient safety arrangements support the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care.

The post is primarily based at Watford General Hospital, with some travel across Trust sites required. Core working hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm (37.5 hours per week). Flexible working requests will be considered in accordance with service requirements and Trust policy. Participation in the Trust's on-call arrangements may be required for Band 8b roles.