Lead Discharge Facilitator - Ward 4, Woodland View - INTERNAL ONLY

Job details

• Job reference: 251657
• Salary: Band 7 (£52,845 - £61,466)
• Job closing date: 02/07/2026
• Job Type: Nursing and Midwifery
• Location: Woodland View
• Employment type: Permanent
• Hours Per Week: 36
• Job posted date: 18/06/2026
• Employer (NHS Board): NHS Ayrshire & Arran
• Department: Elderly Mental Health Inpatients

NHS Scotland:

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Note that this post is only open to internal staff of NHS Ayrshire & Arran.

Who we are:

NHS Ayrshire and Arran are one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.

In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran, we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.

To find out more about NHS Ayrshire and Arran please visit our website - NHS Ayrshire & Arran - Home (nhsaaa.net)

Position:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced practitioner to join our dedicated team as a Lead Discharge Facilitator based within Ward 4, Woodland View Hospital. Ward 4 is a specialist functional assessment ward providing care and treatment for individuals aged 65 and over experiencing a range of mental health difficulties.

This is a key leadership role focused on promoting effective, safe, and timely discharge, reducing delays in admission, and ensuring patients receive the right support at the right time.

As Lead Discharge Facilitator, you will play a pivotal role in supporting patient flow across inpatient and community settings. Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting timely discharge planning from Ward 4, ensuring patients can safely return home or transition to appropriate care environments
• Working collaboratively with ward staff, community teams, families, and partner agencies to coordinate complex discharge arrangements
• Liaising closely with the Psychiatric Liaison Service, contributing to the assessment and review of individuals in acute hospitals awaiting admission to Ward 4
• Providing intensive, short-term support in the community for individuals awaiting admission, helping to stabilise and maintain them in the least restrictive setting wherever possible
• Acting as a key link between inpatient services, acute hospitals, and community teams, maintaining a patient-centred, recovery-focused approach
• Promoting person-centred care, dignity, and independence for older adults living with mental health difficulties

Hours:

36 hours per week across 7 days, though predominantly Mon – Fri 0900-1700

This post is offered on a permanent basis

From 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland will be reduced. Full-time hours will reduce from 37 to 36 hours (pro rata for part-time staff) without loss of earnings.

UK Driving Licence:

A UK driving licence is essential for this role.

What you will do:

Job Purpose:

• Maximise the use of ward 4 inpatient beds and take a lead role in reducing the length of stay through the facilitation of effective integrated discharge planning.
• Develop and implement tailored discharge plans for elderly patients, working in collaboration with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and families to address each patient’s unique mental health, medical, and social needs.
• Play a pivotal role in leading and supporting multidisciplinary ward staff and Health and Social Care Partnership colleagues to ensure our patients are discharged in a safe and timely manner.
• To lead on the development of discharge planning strategies, guidelines and initiatives; to lead the implementation of agreed initiatives and champion effective discharge practices.
• Work closely with Senior Charge Nurses, Consultant Psychiatrists, ward staff, community staff and staff in other agencies to support and facilitate effective multidisciplinary and multi-agency discharge planning from the hospital

For further information on the role please click the link below to view the job description.

Knowledge, training and/or experience required for this post:

• First level Registered Mental Health Nurse with a minimum of 3 years’ experience working at band 6 level.
• Educated to Masters level or equivalent skills and experience.
• Both inpatient and community elderly mental health experience is essential.
• Demonstrate a strong understanding of older adult mental health, including functional disorders and the complexities of later life care
• Possess excellent communication, coordination, and leadership skills, with the ability to work across organisational boundaries
• Confidence in managing complex cases and risk, supporting safe decision-making
• Show a commitment to person-centred, recovery-focused care and reducing unnecessary hospital admissions

For further information on the requirements for the role please click the link below to view the person specification.

If you want to find out more about the role, please contact Anita Lindsay, Senior Charge Nurse, ward 4 Woodland View on 01294 322386

Right to Work / Certificates of Sponsorship

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found within the attached Candidate Information Pack.

It is essential that you have checked that you either already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored before submitting your application form.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran may be able to offer visa sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. When considering if a post meets the salary threshold for sponsorship, please note the salary advertised is based on a full-time contract and must be pro-rated for part-time positions. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case-by-case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre-employment checks.

Please visit here for further information.

We are unable to provide sponsorship for Band 2 posts or bank contracts.

Additional Information for Candidates

• You should apply for this post by completing the application process on NHS Jobs Scotland.
• DO NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.
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• Please note, for all vacancies where a driving licence is required this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.