Patient Flow Lead

Job overview

The Patient Flow Lead will support the delivery of safe, effective and timely patient flow across the hospital, working closely with clinical, operational and site management teams to maintain site safety, optimise bed capacity and support timely discharge.

The post holder will provide visible operational leadership for patient flow processes, supporting the Clinical Site Team, wards, discharge services and divisional teams to identify and resolve barriers to flow. They will contribute to the delivery of Trust-wide patient flow priorities, including the implementation of the National FOCUSED model, escalation processes, daily operational grip and improved use of data to support decision-making.

The role will work collaboratively with internal teams and system partners to improve patient pathways, reduce delays, support safe discharge and improve patient experience. The post holder will also contribute to performance reporting, service improvement, standard operating procedures and the development of consistent ways of working across patient flow and site operations.

Main duties of the job

The Patient Flow Lead will support the delivery of safe, effective and timely patient flow across the Trust, ensuring patients receive the right care in the right place at the right time. The post holder will work with clinical, operational and site teams to coordinate patient flow, optimise bed capacity and support timely discharge.

Working across services, the post holder will identify and address barriers to flow, supporting wards and operational teams to reduce delays and improve patient pathways. They will monitor operational performance, use data to identify risks and opportunities, and support delivery of key access, discharge and flow standards.

The role will involve close collaboration with acute, community and system partners to improve patient journeys, reduce avoidable length of stay and support safe discharge. The post holder will contribute to service improvement initiatives, pathway redesign and the implementation of best practice patient flow processes.

The Patient Flow Lead will provide leadership and support to staff, promote continuous improvement and contribute to governance, risk management, audit and assurance processes. They will ensure compliance with Trust policies and procedures, support operational reporting and undertake duties consistent with the responsibilities and grade of the role.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Provide operational leadership and support for patient flow across the hospital, helping to ensure safe, effective and timely movement of patients through admission, inpatient care and discharge pathways.

Work with the Clinical Site Team, ward teams, discharge teams, divisional colleagues and support services to maintain oversight of bed capacity, operational pressures, escalation requirements and flow risks.

Support the implementation of Trust-wide patient flow processes, including the National FOCUSED model, standard operating procedures, escalation frameworks and daily operational routines.

Use data, performance information and operational intelligence to identify delays, risks and improvement opportunities, escalating issues appropriately and supporting timely action.

Support effective discharge planning and delivery by working with clinical teams, discharge services, transport, community partners and system colleagues to reduce avoidable delays and improve patient experience.

Contribute to the delivery of key access, flow and quality standards by supporting improvement plans, monitoring performance and helping teams to embed consistent practice.

Provide day-to-day leadership, guidance and support to staff within the patient flow function, promoting a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, compassionate leadership and patient-centred care.

Support the development and implementation of service improvements, pathway redesign and transformation initiatives that improve patient flow, capacity management and operational resilience.

Contribute to governance, risk management, incident learning, audit and assurance processes relating to patient flow, discharge and site operations.

Build effective working relationships with divisional teams, clinical leaders, performance colleagues, transformation teams, community partners and wider system stakeholders to support safe and efficient patient pathways.

Support the development of reports, briefings and updates on patient flow performance, risks, improvement actions and operational delivery.

Undertake any other duties appropriate to the level and responsibilities of the role, supporting the wider Site Operations function and Trust priorities as required.