South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Matron (Intrapartum) Obstetrics

The closing date is 10 December 2025

Job summary

Applications from current employees only.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a senior experienced, dynamic, high performing midwife to join the team as a Matron for Intrapartum and Inpatient Maternity Services.We are looking for a clinically credible midwife with a broad range of midwifery experience and exceptional clinical ability. The successful candidate will possess strong clinical leadership and have excellent communication and networking skills. You will need to be self -motivated, enthusiastic and have a distinct passion for maternity services and a drive for continuous improvement in maternity safety and experience.

The successful candidate will be easily identifiable, highly visible and accessible to patients, carers and staff. They will have a particular responsibility to support the developments of Quality & Safety and Service Improvement, to modernise services and ensure the active involvement of service uses in developing, delivering and evaluating care.

For informal discussions please contact Melissa Letouze, Acting Head of Midwifery or Andrea Cowling Directorate Manager via Karen Hall, DM Support on 0191 5656256 ext 41921 or Email Karen.hall57@nhs.net

Main duties of the job

You will be resilient and able to manage complex situations as well as being well organised and innovative. A proven track record of supporting change processes, coupled with good influencing and negotiation skills are key attributes required for this post in order to provide an integrated and effective service, focusing on the delivery and assurance of safe, high quality, patient care.

The Matron will ensure at all times the patient is at the centre of all our actions and act as role model for clinical staff.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Details

Date posted

03 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9155-FCNM-1225-05

Job locations

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Kayll Road

Sunderland

SR4 7TP


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description for full details

The Matron has 24 hour accountability for the wards/departments/areas in their Directorate for the efficient and effective operational management of the Midwifery workforce, guaranteeing provision of high quality evidence based midwifery practice which will be delivered within a hospital and community setting. This will include being part of an on-call provision.

The Matron will provide strong clinical leadership within the services and be highly visible and accessible to patients. Leading by example he/she will drive up standards of clinical care. Have the responsibility and authority to get the essential components of care right for patients clean wards and departments, quality care, ensuring patients are treated with dignity and respect, resolving problems for patients and relatives and ensuring high standards are maintained and delivered throughout the services.He/she will have a particular responsibility to support the developments of Clinical Governance and Service Improvement, to modernise patient services and ensure the active involvement of patients and carers in the way services are developed, delivered and evaluated.

The Matron will contribute to identifying and managing issues of poor performance, risk and complaints. The Matron will promote and share best practice and encourage personal development.

In undertaking the duties for this post the post holder must comply with the NMC Code.

The Matron will uphold and ensure Trust nursing and midwifery values are implemented and monitored to provide assurance that nursing/clinical staff behave in a professional manner

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description for full details

The Matron has 24 hour accountability for the wards/departments/areas in their Directorate for the efficient and effective operational management of the Midwifery workforce, guaranteeing provision of high quality evidence based midwifery practice which will be delivered within a hospital and community setting. This will include being part of an on-call provision.

The Matron will provide strong clinical leadership within the services and be highly visible and accessible to patients. Leading by example he/she will drive up standards of clinical care. Have the responsibility and authority to get the essential components of care right for patients clean wards and departments, quality care, ensuring patients are treated with dignity and respect, resolving problems for patients and relatives and ensuring high standards are maintained and delivered throughout the services.He/she will have a particular responsibility to support the developments of Clinical Governance and Service Improvement, to modernise patient services and ensure the active involvement of patients and carers in the way services are developed, delivered and evaluated.

The Matron will contribute to identifying and managing issues of poor performance, risk and complaints. The Matron will promote and share best practice and encourage personal development.

In undertaking the duties for this post the post holder must comply with the NMC Code.

The Matron will uphold and ensure Trust nursing and midwifery values are implemented and monitored to provide assurance that nursing/clinical staff behave in a professional manner

Person Specification

Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to set objectives, priorities workload, work to deadlines and maintain consistent high standards.
  • Ability to analyse information and use problem solving approaches in decision making and planning processes.
  • Confident, resilient and assertive.
  • Acts with honesty and integrity, taking personal responsibility for actions.
  • Ability to lead by example, motivating and empowering others to achieve high standards of service delivery.
  • A reflective thinker.
  • An individual who can work independently, work across disciplines and be an effective team member.

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Competent in IT skills and ability to operate windows programmes and Microsoft Office.
  • Evidence of participating in clinical audit.
  • Knowledge of NHS Policies and strategy.
  • Excellent presentation skills.
  • Well-developed report writing.
  • Excellent verbal briefing and communication skills.
  • Able to command respect of multi-disciplinary teams.

Desirable

  • Knowledge and experience of using project planning IT programmes and tools.
  • Knowledge of and ability to utilise LEAN techniques.

Physical Skills

Essential

  • Travel between sites and off site meetings as required.
  • Ability to work flexible hours as well as support for major incidents.
  • Able to participate in an on-call rota.

Experience

Essential

  • Clinically credible with significant experience at senior midwifery level in a relevant setting.
  • Ability to manage conflict in the clinical environment.
  • Experience of managing a clinical team including human resources management.
  • Experience of managing difficult and complex personnel / people situations.
  • Experience of policy critique and writing to ensure fit for purpose.
  • Experience of successful budget management and evidence of achieving financial targets.
  • Experience of leading and delivering significant programmes of change with an NHS setting.

Desirable

  • Experience of undertaking root cause analysis.

Qualifications

Essential

  • First level NMC Registered Nurse (Adult) (RN Child for paediatric roles, RM for Midwifery).
  • First Degree or equivalent in health related subject.
  • Recognised management or leadership qualification or relevant experience.

Desirable

  • Masters degree or working towards in relevant associated subject.
Person Specification

Attributes

Essential

  • Ability to set objectives, priorities workload, work to deadlines and maintain consistent high standards.
  • Ability to analyse information and use problem solving approaches in decision making and planning processes.
  • Confident, resilient and assertive.
  • Acts with honesty and integrity, taking personal responsibility for actions.
  • Ability to lead by example, motivating and empowering others to achieve high standards of service delivery.
  • A reflective thinker.
  • An individual who can work independently, work across disciplines and be an effective team member.

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

  • Competent in IT skills and ability to operate windows programmes and Microsoft Office.
  • Evidence of participating in clinical audit.
  • Knowledge of NHS Policies and strategy.
  • Excellent presentation skills.
  • Well-developed report writing.
  • Excellent verbal briefing and communication skills.
  • Able to command respect of multi-disciplinary teams.

Desirable

  • Knowledge and experience of using project planning IT programmes and tools.
  • Knowledge of and ability to utilise LEAN techniques.

Physical Skills

Essential

  • Travel between sites and off site meetings as required.
  • Ability to work flexible hours as well as support for major incidents.
  • Able to participate in an on-call rota.

Experience

Essential

  • Clinically credible with significant experience at senior midwifery level in a relevant setting.
  • Ability to manage conflict in the clinical environment.
  • Experience of managing a clinical team including human resources management.
  • Experience of managing difficult and complex personnel / people situations.
  • Experience of policy critique and writing to ensure fit for purpose.
  • Experience of successful budget management and evidence of achieving financial targets.
  • Experience of leading and delivering significant programmes of change with an NHS setting.

Desirable

  • Experience of undertaking root cause analysis.

Qualifications

Essential

  • First level NMC Registered Nurse (Adult) (RN Child for paediatric roles, RM for Midwifery).
  • First Degree or equivalent in health related subject.
  • Recognised management or leadership qualification or relevant experience.

Desirable

  • Masters degree or working towards in relevant associated subject.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Kayll Road

Sunderland

SR4 7TP


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Kayll Road

Sunderland

SR4 7TP


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Directorate Manager

Andrea Cowling

andrea.cowling@nhs.net

01915656256

Details

Date posted

03 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9155-FCNM-1225-05

Job locations

Sunderland Royal Hospital

Kayll Road

Sunderland

SR4 7TP


Supporting documents

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