Job summary
Join us and help shape the future of patient safety and quality at Ashgate Hospice!
Were proud to be recognised as a Disability Confident Employer, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. Were committed to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and heard.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Quality Improvement Team as the Head of Clinical Governance & Patient Safety. Youll play a vital leadership role in upholding our excellent standards of care, fostering a culture of continuous learning, and ensuring that patient safety and quality remain at the heart of everything we do.
Main duties of the job
As Head of Clinical Governance & Patient Safety, your key responsibilities will be to:
- Lead on the implementation and delivery of Ashgates clinical governance and patient safety framework
- Support our regulatory readiness through evidence-based compliance with the CQCs Single Assessment Framework
- Embed the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF), leading reviews, investigations and learning initiatives
- Monitor incident trends and safety data to identify risks and drive improvements
- Promote high-quality care and safe practice across all clinical services
You'll also work collaboratively with leaders and frontline teams across the hospice to support improvement work that enhances patient and family outcomes.
Were looking for someone who is:
- A registered healthcare professional (e.g. nurse, allied health professional) with substantial experience in clinical governance and patient safety
- Skilled in patient safety investigations, thematic reviews and after action reviews
- An excellent communicator, collaborator and leader, with the ability to influence at all levels
Passionate about learning, quality improvement and delivering safe, person-centred care
Committed to promoting a just and open culture across the organisation
About us
Ashgate Hospice, based in North Derbyshire, offers free palliative and end of life care for adults with life-limiting or incurable illnesses, including cancer, neurological diseases, and advanced heart, kidney, and lung conditions. Last year, we cared for over 2,400 people. Our aim is to support our patients by keeping them informed, managing their symptoms, and improving their quality of life from diagnosis onwards.
We also provide vital support to the people who are important to them, offering practical assistance and emotional support, including bereavement services.
Were more than a care provider. Were a campaigner for sustainable end of life care funding in the UK, and we continually invest in our services and workforce.
Job description
Job responsibilities
If youd like to learn more about the role or arrange a visit to the hospice, contact the recruiting manager, Claire Blakey, on 01246 568801 for an informal chat or alternatively, contact by email: Claire.blakey@ashgatehospice.org.uk .
You can also download the full job description and person specification for more details.
Applications must be submitted via the Apply Now button on our website. We cannot accept applications sent directly to HR or the recruiting manager.
Proposed interview date: 7th May 2025
If you're successful, a DBS check will be part of the pre-employment process, with further details available in the candidate notes. As a healthcare provider, we prioritise safety, so we encourage and recommend all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and have the flu jab, unless exempt. If you need assistance during the recruitment process, our HR team is available at hr@ashgatehospice.org.uk or 01246 568 801.
We are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process. We offer reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions, or health needs. As part of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion goals, we guarantee to shortlist disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. To support your success, well share interview questions with all will be shortlisted candidates in advance.
Additional resources, like the Health Adjustment Passport and Access to Work scheme, are available to support adjustments or needs. For further guidance, you can also reach out to the Disability Employment Service or Reed in Partnership, Chesterfield Office. Our HR team is happy to help with any questions about adjustments or accessibility.
Job description
Job responsibilities
If youd like to learn more about the role or arrange a visit to the hospice, contact the recruiting manager, Claire Blakey, on 01246 568801 for an informal chat or alternatively, contact by email: Claire.blakey@ashgatehospice.org.uk .
You can also download the full job description and person specification for more details.
Applications must be submitted via the Apply Now button on our website. We cannot accept applications sent directly to HR or the recruiting manager.
Proposed interview date: 7th May 2025
If you're successful, a DBS check will be part of the pre-employment process, with further details available in the candidate notes. As a healthcare provider, we prioritise safety, so we encourage and recommend all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and have the flu jab, unless exempt. If you need assistance during the recruitment process, our HR team is available at hr@ashgatehospice.org.uk or 01246 568 801.
We are committed to a fair and inclusive recruitment process. We offer reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions, or health needs. As part of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion goals, we guarantee to shortlist disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. To support your success, well share interview questions with all will be shortlisted candidates in advance.
Additional resources, like the Health Adjustment Passport and Access to Work scheme, are available to support adjustments or needs. For further guidance, you can also reach out to the Disability Employment Service or Reed in Partnership, Chesterfield Office. Our HR team is happy to help with any questions about adjustments or accessibility.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered healthcare professional (e.g. Nurse, Allied Health Professional) with relevant regulatory body
- registration.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to role
- Completion of Level 2: A systems approach to investigating and learning from patient safety incidents
- (HSSIB or equivalent).
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field (e.g. patient safety, quality improvement, healthcare leadership).
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a healthcare or voluntary sector organisation.
- Demonstrated experience in a management or leadership role.
- Knowledge and practical experience of clinical audit processes.
- Evidence of commitment to improving patient safety, quality, and outcomes.
- Understanding of Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulatory frameworks and standards.
- Experience of leading or supporting patient safety incident investigations.
- Proven experience of implementing quality improvement initiatives.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a palliative care or end-of-life care setting, or in a service supporting individuals with
- palliative needs.
- Familiarity with SystmOne or similar clinical record systems.
- Experience of supporting staff through coronial processes, regulatory inspections, or similar external scrutiny.
- Knowledge or use of quality improvement tools or frameworks (e.g. PDSA, driver diagrams, appreciative
- inquiry)
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Proven expertise in clinical governance and patient safety, including systems thinking and risk
- management.
- Strong facilitation and negotiation skills with experience of managing complex and sensitive situations.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Adaptable and resilient in the face of change and evolving demands.
- Confident decision-maker with strong problem-solving skills.
- Skilled in analysing qualitative and quantitative data to identify trends and themes.
- Effective leadership and team management skills, with a track record of supporting, developing, and
- motivating others.
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across diverse teams and stakeholders.
Desirable
- Experience of chairing or leading multidisciplinary meetings or working groups.
- Experience of developing and delivering training or education sessions
- Experience of engaging with service users or families in safety reviews or feedback processes
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered healthcare professional (e.g. Nurse, Allied Health Professional) with relevant regulatory body
- registration.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to role
- Completion of Level 2: A systems approach to investigating and learning from patient safety incidents
- (HSSIB or equivalent).
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in a relevant field (e.g. patient safety, quality improvement, healthcare leadership).
Experience
Essential
- Experience in a healthcare or voluntary sector organisation.
- Demonstrated experience in a management or leadership role.
- Knowledge and practical experience of clinical audit processes.
- Evidence of commitment to improving patient safety, quality, and outcomes.
- Understanding of Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulatory frameworks and standards.
- Experience of leading or supporting patient safety incident investigations.
- Proven experience of implementing quality improvement initiatives.
Desirable
- Experience of working in a palliative care or end-of-life care setting, or in a service supporting individuals with
- palliative needs.
- Familiarity with SystmOne or similar clinical record systems.
- Experience of supporting staff through coronial processes, regulatory inspections, or similar external scrutiny.
- Knowledge or use of quality improvement tools or frameworks (e.g. PDSA, driver diagrams, appreciative
- inquiry)
Additional Criteria
Essential
- Proven expertise in clinical governance and patient safety, including systems thinking and risk
- management.
- Strong facilitation and negotiation skills with experience of managing complex and sensitive situations.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Adaptable and resilient in the face of change and evolving demands.
- Confident decision-maker with strong problem-solving skills.
- Skilled in analysing qualitative and quantitative data to identify trends and themes.
- Effective leadership and team management skills, with a track record of supporting, developing, and
- motivating others.
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships across diverse teams and stakeholders.
Desirable
- Experience of chairing or leading multidisciplinary meetings or working groups.
- Experience of developing and delivering training or education sessions
- Experience of engaging with service users or families in safety reviews or feedback processes
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
