Head of Patient Safety and Clinical Governance

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties/ Responsibilities

1. Leadership and Strategic Oversight

Provide senior leadership in patient safety, ensuring alignment with Trust objectives and national safety strategies.

Lead the development and implementation of the Trusts Patient Safety Strategy and Quality Governance Framework.

Serve as a key advisor to the Deputy Chief Nurse and Executive Team on patient safety and clinical governance matters.

Represent the Trust in regional and national forums, including NHS Englands Patient Safety Specialist networks.

2. Patient Safety Systems and Culture

Oversee the implementation of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF), including the Trusts Patient Safety Incident Response Plan (PSIRP).

Champion a Just Culture and embed the Trusts CARE values across all departments.

Ensure timely dissemination and compliance with National Patient Safety Alerts and Central Alerting System (CAS) notifications.

Lead thematic reviews of incidents to identify trends and drive continuous improvement.

3. Governance and Assurance

Prepare and present reports to the Patient Safety Board, Executive Management Committee, and Trust sub-committees.

Contribute to the Integrated Performance Report, Quality Accounts, and annual governance reports.

Ensure compliance with regulatory standards, including CQC Regulation 20 (Duty of Candour).

4. Training and Development

Design and deliver training on patient safety, incident investigation, risk management, and quality improvement methodologies.

Ensure staff are trained in the National Patient Safety Syllabus and maintain up-to-date resources on the Trust intranet.

Support induction and ongoing education for clinical and non-clinical staff.

5. Operational Management

Line manage the Patient Safety and Clinical Governance Team.

Manage delegated budgets and ensure optimal resource utilisation.

Ensure compliance with staff appraisals, personal development plans, and mandatory training.

Investigate and resolve grievances and disciplinary matters in line with Trust policy.

6. Incident Reporting, Inquests, and Claims Management

Ensure robust implementation of incident reporting, claims, and inquest management in line with legislation and Trust policy.

Monitor incidents, claims, and inquests to identify urgent issues and escalate them appropriately.

Provide thematic analysis and reports to support Divisional and Trust-wide learning.

Lead the development and review of investigation processes aligned with national best practices.

Promote quality improvement methodologies (e.g., PDSA) to enhance safety and reduce the risk of litigation.

Support the implementation of Being Open and Duty of Candour processes.

Provide compassionate support to staff and patients involved in distressing incidents.

Oversee the incident reporting system (e.g., Datix), ensuring it meets organisational needs.

Submit data to national systems (e.g., NRLS, StEIS) and monitor trends for learning.

Collaborate with NHS Resolution to stay informed on national learning themes.

7. Central Alert System Management

Maintain and update policies in line with national safety alert requirements.

Coordinate organisational responses to alerts and ensure timely assurance and compliance.

Quality assures compliance checklists for Executive approval.

8. Quality Standards

Support the Deputy Chief Nurse in coordinating the quality section of the Integrated Performance Report.

Contribute to the Quality Accounts and annual governance reports.

Prepare and forward-plan the Chief Nurse Safety Brief in collaboration with the Communications Team.

Provide expert analysis and reporting on patient safety and litigation matters.

Uphold high standards of governance and provide education where needed.

9. Policy and Strategy Development

Develop, implement, and review policies related to patient safety, incident management, litigation, and inquests.

Contribute to the development of interrelated policies and ensure alignment with national guidance and legislation.

Support the Domestic Homicide Review Panel in collaboration with the Safeguarding Team.

10. Management Responsibilities

Manage pay and non-pay budgets as delegated by the Deputy Chief Nurse.

Ensure compliance with the Trusts Standing Financial Instructions and optimal resource use.

Lead and support the Patient Safety and Litigation Teams, ensuring appraisals and training compliance.

Investigate and resolve grievances and disciplinary matters in line with Trust policy.

Undertake investigations for the People Directorate as required.

Appropriately manage sensitive and contentious information.

Represent the department at strategic Trust groups and committees.

Provide expert guidance to the Deputy Chief Nurse on patient safety matters.

11. Freedom to Act

Operate independently within delegated authority from the Deputy Chief Nurse.

Exercise discretion in escalating significant or sensitive issues.

Recognise personal limitations and seek support when necessary.

12. Personal and Professional Development

Engage in ongoing personal and professional development, including appraisal and objective setting.

Reflect on and maintain both theoretical and practical expertise.

Additional Information

Confidentiality: Adhere to the Data Protection Act 2018 and Trust policies.

Health & Safety: Comply with statutory and departmental safety regulations.

Equality & Diversity: Promote a non judgmental, inclusive service.

Safeguarding: Complete mandatory training and adhere to safeguarding policies.

Information Governance: Maintain accurate, secure, and accessible records.

Travel: May be required to travel across Trust sites.

Person Specification

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING

Essential

• Clinical qualification and registered with a clinical regulator, e.g. HCPC, NMC, GMC
• Completed Master's level education, preferably in Leadership and management and/or Patient Safety
• Degree related to healthcare management
• Evidence of further continued professional development.

Desirable

• Diploma in Clinical Risk Management or related demonstrable experience

EXPERIENCE eg Breadth of occupational experience

Essential

• Extensive experience in Patient Safety management, clinical governance, and quality improvement.
• Experience in the NHS at a senior management level, minimum 3 years
• Evidence of ability to use knowledge and experience to analyse complex patient safety issues
• In-depth knowledge of acute and community-based healthcare and the application of the Department of Health and NHS England/ Improvement strategies, including the Patient Safety Strategy.
• Experience of teaching senior staff groups and of developing training programmes
• Experience in effective budget management
• Evidence of experience with change management in a team

Desirable

• Experience in managing projects

SKILLS, ABILITIES & KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Ability to communicate clearly in spoken and written English, with patients, relatives, clinicians, managers, Directors and external agencies and others
• Effective skills in persuasion, negotiation, tact and diplomacy, and the ability to challenge in a constructive, non-confrontational way
• Ability to produce clearly written analytical reports and/or business cases for a corporate audience
• Excellent computer literacy skills with knowledge of developing and leading presentations, using and managing databases and effective use of word processing software, and incident reporting systems such as Datix
• Excellent time management skills including ability to manage own time, the team's time, reprioritising to meet deadlines
• Ability to work within a team and independently
• Ability to use own initiative and judgement to make decisions
• Ability to problem solve complex situations or information
• Ability to produce and/or critically evaluate guidelines and protocols, strategies and research
• Knowledge of health and safety and risk management

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Address

Stoke Mandiville

Mandeville Rd, Aylesbury

HP21 8AL

Employer's website

https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)