Job overview
The Head of Public Health for Maternity provides strategic, clinical and professional leadership for the maternity public health agenda, driving service transformation, reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for women, babies and families.
The role leads key public health programmes, including infant feeding, UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation, pelvic health, immunisations, screening and parent education, while ensuring services are evidence based, equitable and compliant with national standards.
The post holder uses population health data to inform service improvement, champions anti racism and inclusion initiatives, works collaboratively with system partners to redesign services, and provides expert clinical leadership for complex maternity care.
The role also deputises for the Consultant Midwife and Director of Midwifery as required, contributing to the overall leadership and operational management of maternity services.
Main duties of the job
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- To lead and develop the maternity public health strategy to improve outcomes for women, babies and families.
- To reduce health inequalities and ensure maternity services are inclusive, equitable and responsive to local population needs.
- To provide leadership for key public health programmes including infant feeding, screening, immunisations, pelvic health and parent education.
- To use data, audit and population health intelligence to identify priorities and improve service performance and outcomes.
- To lead and promote anti racism, equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives across maternity services.
- To provide expert clinical leadership and support for complex maternity care, birth choices and personalised care planning.
- To ensure high standards of governance, quality, safety, workforce development and regulatory compliance.
- To work in partnership with internal and external stakeholders to improve maternity services and deliver system wide transformation.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
******Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role*******
Person specification
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Experience leading public health initiatives and reducing health inequalities
- Significant senior leadership experience within maternity services at Band 8A or above
- Experience leading transformational change and quality improvement.
- Experience managing complex clinical and operational issues
- Experience of multidisciplinary working and partnership collaboration
- Experience in education, audit and research
- Experience supporting or leading BFI accreditation processes
Desirable
- Experience working as a Consultant Midwife or equivalent senior strategic role
- Experience leading anti-racism or inclusion initiatives.
- Publications or conference presentations
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Essential
- Expert knowledge of maternity public health agenda, transformation programmes and national maternity policy.
- Comprehensive understanding of UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative standards and accreditation requirements
- Understanding of health inequalities and personalised care
- Knowledge of CNST, Ockenden, Better Births, Saving Babies’ Lives and Core20PLUS5
- Knowledge and understanding of the Capital Midwife Anti-Racism Framework and culturally competent maternity care
- • Comprehensive understanding of maternity screening and immunisation programmes
Desirable
- Experience contributing to regional or national policy development.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Registered Midwife with current NMC registration
- Masters qualification or working towards completion
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Leadership qualification or equivalent experience
Desirable
- Teaching qualification
- PMA qualification
- Project management qualification
- UNICEF Baby Friendly
- Cultural Competency training
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Head of Public Health for Maternity with Croydon Health Services NHS Trust in Thornton Heath, London, England. It is listed as a Band 8 Public health professionals role. The advertised salary is £72,719 - £83,505 pro rata, per annum incl HCAS (Outer). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 27 Jul 2026.
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