Chief Medical Officer

Job overview This is an exciting time for Whittington Health. We have substantially improved our emergency department performance and are improving on RTT and 18-week targets. We are working more closely with our NHS and local authority partners, maximising our relationship with UCLH and building on the active role we play within the growing ICAR and the Provider Alliance, and demonstrating daily the positive power of joined-up care and collaborative working. With the recent reconfiguration decisions around the Start Well programme, we are investing in both our maternity services specifically, and our wider infrastructure, to equip the Trust for future growth. This is a wonderful opportunity to play a leading role in an organisation that has been at the forefront of integrated care through its continued development. Whether a first-time Chief Medical Officer or experienced in the role, they will be a visible leader with strategic ambition and an understanding of the complexity of hospital and community service operations, ready to engage with and understand the pressures faced by colleagues and patients alike. Whittington Health particularly welcomes applications from historically under-represented groups, including disabled people and members of minority ethnic communities. Whittington Health’s advisors on this appointment are the MBS Group. To apply please send a covering letter and CV by midnight, Tuesday 9th December, 2025. Main duties of the job The Chief Medical Officer contributes to the Clinical and Organisational Strategy of the Trust and is an executive member of the Board of Directors, responsible for providing leadership to the medical workforce and for working jointly with the Chief of Nursing and Patient Experience in taking the lead on clinical performance and quality of patient care. The Chief Medical Officer will also work closely with the Chief Operating Officer to achieve the Trust’s service objectives, including the delivery of productivity and quality objectives. Working for our organisation Whittington Health is a values-driven organisation and our values – Innovation, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence, all under-pinned by Equity – shape how we all think, behave and care for our patients and each other. We take this commitment seriously and our joint Directors of Race, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, sit at Board. Over the last two years, we have built a cohesive and talented executive team using the opportunity of new appointments to recommit to our values, to deepen our work around equality, diversity and inclusion, and to ensure that Whittington Health has the leadership team to enable the whole organisation to have the greatest possible positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the communities we exist to serve. Detailed job description and main responsibilities Specifically, the Chief Medical Officer will be responsible for : Corporate role Be a member of the Board of Directors and carry out all the statutory responsibilities as an executive Director of the Trust; Ensure the organisation complies with the Responsible Officer regulations, including ensuring appropriate quality assurance and reporting is in place; Be the Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs - contribute to the corporate development of the Trust through the leadership of key areas of work agreed with the Trust Board; Take responsibility with other Directors for the quality of service and care provided to patients; Take responsibility for the development and implementation of a strategy for medical workforce planning; Horizon-scan to identify new signicant clinical risks for the Trust and work to develop appropriate mitigations; Act to promote the high quality work and achievements at Whittington Health in the wider regional and national healthcare arena; Management of medical staff Work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer to support the work of the Divisions; Take responsibility for devising the clinical strategy for the Trust; Be responsible for service and clinical policy development, particularly relating to national or regional initiatives, directives from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE); Provide advice on medical staffing issues having regard to statutory requirements and national and local policy and guidance. This includes the implementation of the national policy and directives, and the development of clinical indicators to ensure safe and appropriate standards in medical practice; Lead in managing the conduct, capability and competence of medical staff through locally agreed procedures, working closely with the responsible Deputy Director of Workforce or Chief People Officer; Monitor the quality of patient care against national and local indicators and take action to ensure improvements where necessary; Establish strategically supportive relationships with GPs, Clinical Commissioning Groups and other local clinical network leads, education commissioners and London Clinical Senate and UCL Partners; Be responsible for ensuring the on-going review of consultant job plans, in conjunction with Divisional Clinical Directors, to ensure clinician’s duties are t for purpose and clinical care is optimised; Whittington Health NHS Trust is a dynamic organisation, therefore changes in the core duties and responsibilities of this role may be required from time to time. These guidelines do not constitute a term or condition of employment. Person specification NHS Leadership Competencies Essential criteria Drive high-quality and sustainable outcomes Promote equality and inclusion, reducing health and workforce inequalities Education / Qualifications Essential criteria A qualified and registered Medical Professional High level of personal integrity Desirable criteria Master’s degree or similar postgraduate management / leadership development qualification, or equivalent experience SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies , procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to : Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people. Ensure you are familiar and comply with theLondon Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures. Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing. Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines. Participate in required training and supervision. Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. #J-18808-Ljbffr