Job summary

Could this be the job for you?

Are you determined and passionate about improving patient care, outcomes and experience? Does the thought of governance fill you with interest and energy?

The Division of Families and Clinical Support Services are looking to recruit an experienced Head of Governance. We are a unique Division which includes the Directorates of Maternity, Neonates, Paediatrics, Womens Health, Pathology, Radiology, Therapies and Psychological Services.

This is a busy and demanding senior role, requiring excellent organisational skills, the ability to work under pressure and to meet tight and changing deadlines. A pivotal skill is the ability to balance the regular compliance requirements with sometimes urgent requests and needs for data and support from colleagues.

Improving patient safety is the primary purpose of this role, you must have experience and knowledge of the challenges of working in a clinical setting. Your communication skills must be fine tuned, along with the ability to be comfortable working alongside both clinical and non-clinical staff at all levels across the Division and the Trust.

You must have excellent Excel and IT skills, have extensive experience of leadership and line management along with knowledge and experience of working within patient safety frameworks.

Please note: Previous applicants need not re-apply.

Main duties of the job

Main responsibilities of the role:

Leadership and line management of the Divisional Governance Team
Review and follow up on all patient safety and risk issues for the Division
Production of reports and presentations both on a monthly and adhoc basis
Analysis and presentation of data and information
Triangulation of patient safety data to ensure divisional focus is appropriate to risk
Management and update the risk register, national alerts and incidents
Representation and presentation at Directorate, Divisional and Trust meetings
Facilitation of Divisional meetings and investigations

Should this have sparked your interest, we strongly recommend contacting the team for further information. We look forward to meeting you.

About us

We are an acute trust caring for over half a million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.

We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.

If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.

Application guidance: We understand that more applicants are using AI technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. Its important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.

Date posted

09 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£53,755 to £60,504 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

C9377-FCS5080a

Job locations

Pinderfields Hospital

Aberford Road

Wakefield

West Yorkshire

WF1 4DG

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder, in conjunction with the Divisional Clinical Director and Clinical Specialty triumverates will:

Ensure that robust and comprehensive governance arrangements exist within Specialties and effectively report risks and assurances to the Division.

Manage an effective complaints investigation and response system, ensuring compliance with nationally and locally determined response targets and supporting teams in proactive resolution where possible.

Manage an effective serious incident and significant event investigation system including the oversight and completion of action plans.

Work with the Divisional Governance Meeting Chair to support all colleagues to lead on improvements in patient safety.

Provide leadership and expert advice on Clinical Governance and coordinate all aspects of Governance across the Division, ensuring integration of Trust strategic priorities with that of the Division.

Facilitate the design, production and prioritisation of Divisional Governance activities, action plans and work programmes to ensure improved clinical quality within the Division, incorporating the Trust strategic priorities.

Co-ordinate the delivery and implementation of the fundamental standards of quality and safety, and of the MYHT Clinical Governance and Risk Management strategies, polices and work programmes.

Support Maternity Services in the achievement of CNST Maternity Incentive Scheme.

Monitor and triangulate sources of patient safety and experience data to inform Divisional and Specialty improvement plans and shared learning.

Please see attached job description/ person specification for full details.