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Job overview
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is seeking an outstanding and ambitious nursing leader to join our Medicine Directorate as Head of Nursing for Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, Bowel Cancer Screening and Hepatology.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead nursing practice and service development across a diverse and high-profile portfolio of services that play a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of our local population. The successful candidate will provide strategic, professional and operational leadership, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care while driving excellence in quality, patient experience and clinical outcomes.
Working closely with Clinical Directors, General Managers, Consultants, Matrons and multidisciplinary teams, you will play a key role in shaping the future of gastroenterology, endoscopy, bowel cancer screening and hepatology services across the Trust. You will lead service transformation programmes, support the delivery of national standards and contribute to the development of innovative pathways that improve access, efficiency and patient outcomes.
This role offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced senior nursing leader who is passionate about developing people, improving services and delivering high-quality patient-centred care.
Main duties of the job
Provide visible professional leadership and strategic direction across Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, Bowel Cancer Screening and Hepatology services.
Lead the nursing workforce to deliver outstanding standards of care, safety and patient experience.
Drive quality improvement, service transformation and innovation to meet national and local priorities.
Ensure compliance with JAG standards, bowel cancer screening programme requirements, regulatory frameworks and clinical governance standards.
Lead patient safety, clinical effectiveness, infection prevention, safeguarding and risk management initiatives.
Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to improve patient pathways and service performance.
Support the development and delivery of workforce strategies, recruitment, retention and succession planning.
Lead on nursing quality indicators, patient experience metrics and performance management.
Promote a culture of continuous learning, professional development, inclusion and compassionate leadership.
Contribute to directorate and Trust-wide strategic objectives and transformation programmes.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We are looking for an inspirational senior nurse who can demonstrate:
Current NMC registration.
Significant senior nursing leadership experience within an acute healthcare setting.
Experience within Gastroenterology, Endoscopy, Cancer Services, Hepatology or a related specialty.
Proven success in leading quality improvement, service development and transformation programmes.
Strong knowledge of clinical governance, patient safety and quality assurance frameworks.
Experience of leading and developing large multidisciplinary teams.
Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
A track record of delivering operational performance and managing complex healthcare services.
Commitment to equality, diversity, staff wellbeing and compassionate leadership.
Educated to Master's level or able to demonstrate equivalent senior leadership experience.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 3 years operational management in an acute NHS Trust, including senior level experience & management of specialist services
- Minimum 3 years staff management, including senior level experience
- Management of change
Qualifications
Essential
- Post graduate training in Clinical Specialty, or Business or NHS Management in progress or completed
- Formal education to first degree level or equivalent ability
- Master’s degree or equivalent ability/evidence of skill
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Thinks and solves problems creatively and from a position of inquiry (versus advocacy)
- Provides authentic and clear communication and direction even in times of uncertainty/ambiguity
- Engages effectively across boundaries, while operating in partnership with stakeholders
- Can interpret complex management data/information
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Head of Nursing - Gastroenterology and Endoscopy with Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust in Queen Elizabeth Hospital. It is listed as a Band 8 Nurse (adult and children) role. The advertised salary is £79,504 - £91,609 Per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 06 Sep 2026.
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