Modern Matron

We are looking to appoint a dynamic and forward thinking individual to lead on the delivery of clinical care for patients and their families within the Medicine Business Unit. If you are a senior nurse who is keen to promote patient safety and outcomes and drive improvements then the matron’s role is for you. This particular portfolio supports a variety of services including Cardiology, Gastroenterology and Respiratory.

The matron’s role is the cornerstone of improving the quality of patient care. They do this through visible, inclusive and compassionate leadership and engagement with frontline staff, senior management teams, patients, and their families. Therefore you will be instrumental in promoting high standards of clinical care, reducing health inequalities and promoting equality for all. You will also play a vital role in staff education, patient safety, workforce retention and recruitment.

You will work within the Medical Services Business Unit management team leading on frontline care professionally supported by the Chief Matron, Director (and Deputy Director) of Nursing, Midwifery & Quality, in developing, improving nursing practice and education and monitoring professional standards.

Responsive to the dynamic changing situation in the NHS, the post holder will be passionate about infection prevention and control, particularly in light of the current pandemic and the professional leadership required to lead teams throughout a recovery period. You will be responsible for monitoring and audit of the clinical environment to provide assurance about the standards of cleanliness and safety of clinical areas. Other areas of responsibility aligned to key Trust priorities such as infection prevention and control, safeguarding, safer staffing and prioritising patient experience are all part of the role. If you have a passion to lead and support clinical teams who are striving for excellence in patient care then this post is a great opportunity for you.

The people in this area are known for being friendly and there is a strong sense of regional identity.

Gateshead Quays has the most contemporary and stylish cultural and leisure attractions to be found along the Tyne. Next to the world famous Tyne Bridge there's the stunning Millennium Bridge, the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art and of course the fabulous Sir Norman Foster building, The Sage Gateshead a new home for music both national and international.

More than £250 million has been invested over recent years in major new cultural and leisure facilities along the river bank. Gateshead is a pleasant combination of urban development in the east and rural land to the west. Some of the best coast and countryside in the country are all easily accessible from Gateshead. The area is well served with public transport, and air and ferry links to mainland Europe are both about seven miles away.

And of course, Gateshead is home to Anthony Gormleys world famous multi-award winning sculpture, the Angel of the North. This major landmark at the entrance to Gateshead is Britain's largest sculpture and is seen by more than 33 million people every year.

The main purpose of the job is to lead and support the provision of high quality, safe and effective patient care and services and continuous improvement of the patient experience by providing effective, professional nurse leadership to the Business Unit.
- Provide compassionate inclusive leadership for the nursing and midwifery workforce in the Business Unit, working in collaboration with the Director of Operations, service line managers, Matrons, Ward sisters / charge nurses / specialist nurses and other clinicians.
- Take a lead role, supported by the Chief Matron, Director (and Deputy Director) of Nursing, Midwifery & Quality, with effective workforce planning, developing plans integrated with finance, activity and performance plans.
- Develop and improve nursing and midwifery practice and education throughout the Division, from participating in quality improvement projects to being involved in national retention collaboratives in order to ensure high quality, safe and effective health care services for patients.
- Have performance and operational oversight -including business unit key performance indicators. Support staff in monitoring quality and safety, operational performance and financial stability delivering high quality effective services within budget, identifying opportunities for working effectively including cost improvement where possible.
- Support the Digital agenda to transform healthcare, freeing time for patient contact, conserving resources and delivering health care and wellbeing.
- Accountable for the monitoring and maintenance of professional standards within the Business Unit, and, in collaboration with the Chief Matron, Director (and Deputy Director) of Nursing, Midwifery & Quality and other Matrons, develop a strategy for Nursing and Midwifery, which delivers excellence in nursing