Head of Patient Safety and Clinical Governance

About the Role

Reporting to the Associate Chief Nurse, you will provide strategic leadership and expert guidance in developing, implementing, and overseeing patient safety and clinical governance across our Trust. You'll ensure robust systems are in place to foster a culture of safety, continuous learning, and improvement while maintaining compliance with national frameworks including PSIRF, Duty of Candour, and NHS Resolution standards.

This is more than a governance role – it's an opportunity to transform how we learn from incidents, support our teams, and ultimately improve patient outcomes across Buckinghamshire.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead the Trust's Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) implementation and incident reporting processes
• Provide strategic oversight of claims and inquest management, working with the Litigation Manager
• Drive organisational learning from incidents, serious events, litigation, and inquests through thematic analysis
• Champion a Just Culture and Appreciative Inquiry approach across all departments
• Ensure timely dissemination and compliance with National Patient Safety Alerts and CAS notifications
• Lead and manage the Patient Safety and Clinical Governance Team to deliver responsive, high-quality services
• Design and deliver comprehensive training on patient safety, incident investigation, and quality improvement
• Present reports to the Patient Safety Board, Executive Management Committee, and contribute to Quality Accounts
• Support Care Groups and Clinical Directorate Units in developing safe systems and processes
• Represent the Trust in regional and national patient safety forums and networks

Why colleagues think we are "a great place to work"

What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?

As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.

Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.

We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.

What do we stand for?

Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.

Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.

We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.

We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.

We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.

We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

Main Duties/ Responsibilities

1. Leadership and Strategic Oversight

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

3. Lead the development and implementation of the Trust's Patient Safety Strategy and Quality Governance Framework.
4. Serve as a key advisor to the Deputy Chief Nurse and Executive Team on patient safety and clinical governance matters.

5. Represent the Trust in regional and national forums, including NHS England's Patient Safety Specialist networks.

6. Patient Safety Systems and Culture

7. Oversee the implementation of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF), including the Trust's Patient Safety Incident Response Plan (PSIRP).

8. Champion a "Just Culture" and embed the Trust's CARE values across all departments.
9. Ensure timely dissemination and compliance with National Patient Safety Alerts and Central Alerting System (CAS) notifications.

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

11. Governance and Assurance

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

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

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

15. Training and Development

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

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

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

19. Operational Management

20. Line manage the Patient Safety and Clinical Governance Team.

21. Manage delegated budgets and ensure optimal resource utilisation.
22. Ensure compliance with staff appraisals, personal development plans, and mandatory training.

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

24. Incident Reporting, Inquests, and Claims Management

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

26. Monitor incidents, claims, and inquests to identify urgent issues and escalate them appropriately.
27. Provide thematic analysis and reports to support Divisional and Trust-wide learning.
28. Lead the development and review of investigation processes aligned with national best practices.
29. Promote quality improvement methodologies (e.g., PDSA) to enhance safety and reduce the risk of litigation.
30. Support the implementation of 'Being Open' and Duty of Candour processes.
31. Provide compassionate support to staff and patients involved in distressing incidents.
32. Oversee the incident reporting system (e.g., Datix), ensuring it meets organisational needs.
33. Submit data to national systems (e.g., NRLS, StEIS) and monitor trends for learning.

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

35. Central Alert System Management

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

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

38. Quality assures compliance checklists for Executive approval.

39. Quality Standards

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

41. Contribute to the Quality Accounts and annual governance reports.
42. Prepare and forward-plan the Chief Nurse Safety Brief in collaboration with the Communications Team.
43. Provide expert analysis and reporting on patient safety and litigation matters.

44. Uphold high standards of governance and provide education where needed.

45. Policy and Strategy Development

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

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

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

49. Management Responsibilities

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

51. Ensure compliance with the Trust's Standing Financial Instructions and optimal resource use.
52. Lead and support the Patient Safety and Litigation Teams, ensuring appraisals and training compliance.
53. Investigate and resolve grievances and disciplinary matters in line with Trust policy.
54. Undertake investigations for the People Directorate as required.
55. Appropriately manage sensitive and contentious information.
56. Represent the department at strategic Trust groups and committees.

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

58. Freedom to Act

59. Operate independently within delegated authority from the Deputy Chief Nurse.

60. Exercise discretion in escalating significant or sensitive issues.

61. Recognise personal limitations and seek support when necessary.

62. Personal and Professional Development

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

64. 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.