SHSCT Coronial Affairs Lead Band 7

Job details

• Branch: Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry (SHSCT)
• Location: Daisy Hill Hosp-O'Hagan House
• Directorate: Medical Directorate
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 17/08/26
• Closes: Tue, 01 September 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: TBC

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026 Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE Coronial Affairs Lead

BAND 7

DIRECTORATE Medical Directorate

INITIAL LOCATION O’Hagan House, Monaghan Row, Newry

REPORTS TO Head of Litigation Services

ACCOUNTABLE TO Assistant Director for Clinical and Social Care Governance

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will lead and manage the Trust’s coronial affairs function, ensuring effective coordination of all inquest-related activity. This will include overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of caseloads to ensure adequate preparation for HM Coroner’s Inquest Hearings and response to PSNI Enquires related to Coroner’s investigations with the Trust.

The post holder will act as the key liaison between the Trust, Coroner’s Office, legal representatives, and clinical teams, ensuring that responses to coronial investigations are timely, accurate, and aligned with statutory and governance requirements. They will ensure guidance and support is provided to staff involved in Coroner’s investigations.

The post holder is responsible for providing a suite of intelligent information to the Trust’s Senior Leadership Team in relation to Coroner’s cases, including prompt updates on any developments in cases. They will also work collaboratively with the litigation management team in regard to reporting and systems audit.

The post holder will ensure that learning from Coroner’s cases is effectively communicated to relevant managers and staff in the organisation.

The post holder will work closely with governance colleagues to ensure an integrated approach to governance whilst supporting a culture of openness and learning across the Trust. This will include triangulation of information for Coroner’s cases with adverse incidents, serious adverse incidents (SAIs), complaints and risks.

The post holder will assist the Hed of Service in the implementation of recommendations for service improvement identified through the Coronial Affairs process or through formal review such as those derived from internal audit.

The post holder will, when required, provide cover with regards claims management activity and activity related to medico-legal subject access requests.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Represent the Trust as the primary contact for HM Coroner’s Office, the PSNI officers and legal representatives in relation to the coronial inquiry/inquest process.

2. Lead end-to-end management of all inquests and coronial investigations.

3. Coordinate the preparation of reports and all relevant associated documentation to the Coroner’s Office to assist in their investigation, ensuring fully and accurate responses within the required statutory deadlines.

4. Maintain an accurate central database of all coronial cases and associated documentation.

5. Regularly review ongoing coroner’s investigation/inquests involving the Trust to ensure any additional requests are responded to fully and accurately, within required timescales.

6. Responsible for prompt escalation to senior management of any delays in the provision of information.

7. Responsible for ensuring the appropriate necessary support and advice is provided to Trust staff involved in the Coroner’s investigation, throughout the entirety of the process. This includes attendance at legal consultations and Inquest Hearings.

8. Support Trust staff to prepare professional statements.

9. Coordinate the disclosure of records in line with legal requirements.

10. Support the drafting of witness statements and briefing of legal counsel throughout the Coronial process.

11. Attend Preliminary Inquest Hearings and Inquests where required.

12. Responsible for ensuring Trust witnesses receive timely legal witness summons to attend court.

13. Ensure the attendance of Trust witnesses at HM Coroner’s Court as required.

14. As lead contact, work closely with Trust legal representatives to ensure all relevant information has been provided/received, that any developments, instructed for Preliminary Inquest Hearings, has been communicated and to seek advice with regards the instruction of Counsel.

15. Responsible for the prompt communication to Head of Service, Assistant Director, Medical Director and relevant senior managers on the progress of cases, including updates from Preliminary Inquest Hearings and consultations with legal representatives.

16. Responsible for prompt escalation of any cases which are likely to attract media attention.

17. Responsible for ensuring Early Alerts for all Inquest Hearings are drafted and shared with the relevant Directorates to facilitate notification to the Department of Health.

18. As the key contact, arrange de-brief sessions with involved staff and Trust legal representatives. Ensure staff are advised of arrangements, participate in the debrief and follow through on any specific actions required.

19. Ensure that learning identified from Coroner’s Inquests is identified, recorded and shared within the organisation.

20. Support the development of action plans in relation to coronial findings and monitor the implementation of same.

21. Monitor the themes and trends arising from deaths and inquests within the Trust, promptly escalating areas of concern.

22. Contribute to Patient Safety reports and committees within the organisation such as; weekly governance meeting, Safety and Quality Steering Group, Divisional Medical Directors updates etc.

23. Develop and foster excellent working relationships with staff across the Trust, particularly Medical Director, Directors, Deputy and Divisional Medical Directors, Clinical Directors, Consultants, Assistant Directors and other senior managerial and clinical/social care staff. This relationship should extend to Trust legal representatives and the Coroner’s Office to ensure careful and effective handling of investigations, conducting all contacts in a professional efficient, timely and responsive manner.

24. Ensure the Trust is compliant with the Coroner policy and direction, regularly reviewing and updating Trust policies and procedures as required.

25. Responsible for the development and review of Trust documentation to support the Coronial affairs, and associated, process.

26. Responsible for ensuring the maintenance and accurate input of data to the inquest module of the Datix risk management system. Ensure that systems are audited on a regular basis in order to provide assurance that reports generated are accurate / updated.

27. Responsible for providing, or organising, training for staff in relation to the operation of the Trust’s processes for Coroner’s proceedings. Responding to training gaps as identified.

28. Responsibility for ensuring that Coroner's Post Mortem reports are promptly shared with the Patient Safety Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) Team.

29. Responsibility for ensuring accurate record keeping and supply of information in regards to clinicians involved in the Coronal matters to facilitate the Professional Governance Revalidation process.

30. Responsibility for ensuring that Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA) are notified when trainees doctors are involved in Coronial matters at both provision of statement stage and as witness at a hearing.

31. As Coronial Lead, participate as required in meetings across the Trust.

32. Provide cover for the Litigation Manager in regards to staff and claims management and activity relating to medico-legal subject access requests, as required.

33. Responsible for authorised signatory for the release of copy health and social care records to solicitors/PSNI/Compensation Agency and other third party organisations.

34. Line management responsibility for a team of staff who will assist in coronial affairs activity, providing support to them in respect of Coroner’s processes as required.

35. Deputise for line manager as required.

Corporate Management / Quality Improvement

36. Participate in quality improvement initiatives across the Trust in relation to the learning from Coroners Inquires

37. Liaise with colleagues regionally with HSCT’s proactively and on an ongoing basis to seek out and implement models of good practice from which the Trust might learn and develop recommendations for improvement of its working practices and ensure regional consistency.

38. To support the process of identifying learning from Coroner’s cases and disseminate throughout the Trust as relevant, linking with other departments as necessary. Ensure that all recommendations made by the Coroner are communicated to relevant managers to ensure implementation within the Trust.

39. Participate in quality improvement initiatives in relation to learning from Inquests/Inquiries.

40. Liaise with Corporate Governance colleagues to ensure that risks identified during proceedings are identified and integrated into the Trust’s risk management processes.

41. Assist in developing and maintaining working relationships with senior colleagues to ensure achievement of directorate and corporate objectives.

42. Contribute to the Trust’s overall corporate governance processes to assure safe and effective care for patients and clients and compliance with public sector values and code of conduct.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trust supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

1. Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.

2. Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.

3. Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.

4. Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.

5. Adhere to and promote Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust values.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

1. The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

2. The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

PERSONAL AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES (PPI)

Promote and support the implementation of the Trust’s PPI Strategy and ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities as appropriate to their job role.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

1. Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

2. Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

3. Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

4. Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

5. Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

6. All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

7. Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

8. Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

May 2026

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Coronial Affairs Lead

Band 7

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Litigation Dept, Medical Directorate

SALARY

HOURS 37.5 hours per week

Ref No: <to be inserted by HR> May 2026

Notes to applicants

1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

2. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

3. Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Qualifications/Experience

1. Degree in an administrative / business / law field or recognised professional qualification AND 2 years’ experience in an administrative role (Band 6 or above) OR HNC / HND or equivalent / higher qualification in an administrative / business / law field AND 3 years’ experience in an administrative role (Band 6 or above) OR A minimum of 5 years’ experience in an administrative role (Band 6 or above)

Shortlisting by Application Form

2. Experience of working with coronial processes or legal proceedings for at minimum of 2 years.

3. Experience in the management of staff for a minimum of 2 years

4. Experience in the use Microsoft office products including Word, Excel and Power-point

Other

5. Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

6. Excellent and confident communication skills to meet the needs of the post in full, including the ability to communicate highly complex and sensitive information effectively and sensitively.

7. Ability to work independently as well as within a team.

8. Strong organisational and management skills.

9. Excellent written skills (statement drafting, legal documents etc.)

10. Ability to achieve objectives and meet agreed deadlines.

11. Ability to identify solutions to problems and implement them effectively.

12. Effective planning and organisational skills with an ability to prioritise own workload.

13. Ability to manage sensitive and complex situations

Interview

Knowledge

14. Knowledge of the Health & Social Care system and Clinical and Social Care Governance arrangement.

15. Knowledge of the Coronial investigation process

16. Knowledge of Data Protection legislation

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Experience / Qualifications

1. Experience of the coronial process

2. Experience of the Trust’s Risk Management Database

3. Legal or governance qualification

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times

HSC Value

Working Together

What does this mean?

We work together for the best outcome for people we care for and support. We work across Health and Social Care and with other external organisations and agencies, recognising that leadership is the responsibility of all.

What does this look like in practice? - Behaviours

I work with others and value everyone’s contribution

I treat people with respect and dignity

I work as part of a team looking for opportunities to support and help people in both my own and other teams

I actively engage people on issues that affect them

I look for feedback and examples of good practice, aiming to improve where possible

Compassion

We are sensitive, caring, respectful and understanding towards those we care for and support and our colleagues. We listen carefully to others to better understand and take action to help them and ourselves.

I am sensitive to the different needs and feelings of others and treat people with kindness

I learn from others by listening carefully to them

I look after my own health and well-being so that I can care for and support others

Excellence

We commit to being the best we can be in our work, aiming to improve and develop services to achieve positive changes. We deliver safe, high-quality, compassionate care and support.

I put the people I care for and support at the centre of all I do to make a difference

I take responsibility for my decisions and actions

I commit to best practice and sharing learning, while continually learning and developing

I try to improve by asking ‘could we do this better?’

Openness & Honesty

We are open and honest with each other and act with integrity and candour.

I am open and honest in order to develop trusting relationships

I ask someone for help when needed

I speak up if I have concerns

I challenge inappropriate or unacceptable behaviour and practice