Job summary
St Lukes Hospice Caring for Harrow and Brent St Lukes Hospice cares for people approaching the end of their life in Harrow and Brent. We aim to give the people we care for the best possible quality of life, every day. Supporting local people and their families is at the heart of what we do focusing on what matters the most to them is at the center of our care.
The care we give is free of charge, available to all, and respects the cultures, religions, and beliefs in our richly diverse community. Our care is given with compassion and dignity and involves not just looking after the patient, but also includes supporting the people closest to them.
Funding is raised from the amazing generosity of the organisations and people who make our care possible. Our local community is a vital partner in our care, kindly supporting us through their donations and fundraising alongside the dedication of over 800 incredible volunteers who freely give us their time to support the best possible end-of-life care for local people.
Main duties of the job
Role Overview
This role ensures our service is safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led by overseeing day-to-day activities and fostering a high standard of palliative and end-of-life care for patients and their families.
As Matron, you will:
* Provide hands-on clinical leadership and direct management support to a multidisciplinary team, including nurses, healthcare assistants, ward clerks and volunteers.
* Deliver patient-centered care that meets individual needs through a holistic, evidence-based approach, ensuring high-quality service and a culture of safety and transparency.
* Collaborate closely with the Director of Clinical Services, medical staff, lead nurses, and other senior team members to enhance care, drive strategic initiatives, and continuously improve patient outcomes.
* Shape our long-term vision for the hospice, engaging with patients, families, and local health and social care stakeholders to strengthen the hospices role in the community.
* Act as a key contributor to the hospices wider strategic goals.
This position involves working collaboratively across departments to promote a seamless patient experience and participating in the clinical on-call rota. The post holder will also deputize for the Director of Clinical Services in specific clinical areas and during their absence.
If youre a compassionate, strategic leader with a passion for palliative care, we invite you to apply and make a meaningful difference in our team and community.
About us
St Lukes Hospice cares for people approaching the end of their life in Harrow and Brent. We aim to give the people we care for the best possible quality of life, every day. Supporting local people and their families is at the heart of what we do focusing on what matters the most to them is at the centre of our care.
Founded by local communities in 1987, we have been providing free expert end of life care and support to local people both in the community and from our beautiful Kenton Grange building, surrounded by tranquil gardens.
Two thirds of our care is provided in the comfort of peoples homes, as we respect that this is where most people would like to be looked after. Our specialist community team of nurses helps people to manage more complex needs whilst our Hospice at Home team supports people to remain in their own homes by providing practical care and support.
Our inpatient unit (IPU) at Kenton Grange cares for people in their final days, providing intensive care to help get symptoms under control or give respite care. Many of the people who are cared for in our IPU go home again.
Details
Date posted
23 February 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£52,480.56 to £59,069.47 a year pa plus London allowance (depending on experience)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
B
Job locations
Kenton Grange
Kenton Road
Harrow
Middlesex
HA3 0YG
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder has overall responsibility for delivering high-quality, safe, compassionate inpatient services through effective, inspirational leadership and a strong commitment to excellent patient and family care. The role provides expert clinical advice for patients referred to inpatient services and their families, and supports the Director of Clinical Services (DoCS) and Medical Director in shaping and delivering the long-term inpatient strategy.
The post holder has direct line management of IPU staff, the Ward Clerk, aligned volunteers, and student nurses, and works closely with medical staff, wellbeing services, infection control, education teams, housekeeping, community palliative care teams, and acute hospital services.
JOB SUMMARY
The Matron is responsible for coordinating and managing a safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led 24/7 Inpatient Unit (IPU). This includes day-to-day operational management, clinical leadership of nursing, administrative, housekeeping, and volunteer staff, and accountability for holistic, patient-centred palliative and end-of-life care.
The role ensures services are evidence-based, compliant with health and safety, infection prevention, risk management, and regulatory requirements, and delivered within a culture of openness and continuous improvement. The post holder works collaboratively with senior clinical leaders to develop integrated services, shape future vision, and contribute to wider hospice strategy. The role includes deputising for the DoCS, cross-covering senior colleagues, and participation in the clinical on-call rota.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIESClinical Leadership (50%)
* Lead and sustain a safe, effective, responsive, caring, and well-led IPU.
* Act as a clinical role model, providing expert advice and hands-on leadership.
* Ensure dignity, safety, confidentiality, and holistic care for all patients and families.
* Embed compliance with regulatory standards, hospice policies, and evidence-based practice, including high-quality documentation and risk assessment.
* Ensure continuity of care through effective coordination of ward rounds, handovers, and MDT meetings.
* Manage IPU bed usage, length of stay, admissions, advance care planning, and timely discharge planning.
* Promote safeguarding, mental capacity, and best-interest decision-making.
* Maintain awareness of professional developments and support service innovation.
* Foster multidisciplinary collaboration, reflective practice, learning from incidents, and open discussion of clinical standards.
* Liaise with external agencies to improve patient outcomes.
Managerial Responsibilities (35%)
* Provide effective day-to-day leadership and performance management of IPU staff, volunteers, and administrative teams in line with HR policies.
* Conduct regular 1:1s, appraisals, supervision, and support staff wellbeing, leave, and development.
* Support recruitment, selection, induction, and probation of IPU staff.
* Ensure effective staffing rotas, safe staffing levels, and appropriate use of bank and agency staff.
* Oversee operational support services including pharmacy, equipment, transport, admissions, transfers, and discharges.
* Maintain safe management of medicines and clinical equipment.
* Ensure ongoing compliance with Care Quality Commission and other regulatory standards.
* Contribute to service planning, operational development, budget management, and strategic negotiations.
* Participate in and help manage the 24/7 clinical manager on-call rota.
Governance and Quality Assurance (10%)
* Contribute to development and review of clinical policies, guidelines, and protocols.
* Lead and support audit, quality improvement, and service evaluation within IPU.
* Promote user feedback, patient engagement, outcome measurement, and dashboard reporting.
* Maintain an open reporting culture for incidents, risks, and complaints, ensuring investigation, learning, and improvement.
* Support and mentor staff to lead quality improvement initiatives.
Learning and Development (5%)
* Ensure high-quality student placements and learning environments within IPU.
* Support induction, mentorship, training, and competency development for staff and volunteers.
* Contribute to hospice-wide education strategy, teaching programs, and workforce development.
* Maintain own professional development through appraisal and supervision.
* Foster a culture that supports continuous learning and development.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder has overall responsibility for delivering high-quality, safe, compassionate inpatient services through effective, inspirational leadership and a strong commitment to excellent patient and family care. The role provides expert clinical advice for patients referred to inpatient services and their families, and supports the Director of Clinical Services (DoCS) and Medical Director in shaping and delivering the long-term inpatient strategy.
The post holder has direct line management of IPU staff, the Ward Clerk, aligned volunteers, and student nurses, and works closely with medical staff, wellbeing services, infection control, education teams, housekeeping, community palliative care teams, and acute hospital services.
JOB SUMMARY
The Matron is responsible for coordinating and managing a safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led 24/7 Inpatient Unit (IPU). This includes day-to-day operational management, clinical leadership of nursing, administrative, housekeeping, and volunteer staff, and accountability for holistic, patient-centred palliative and end-of-life care.
The role ensures services are evidence-based, compliant with health and safety, infection prevention, risk management, and regulatory requirements, and delivered within a culture of openness and continuous improvement. The post holder works collaboratively with senior clinical leaders to develop integrated services, shape future vision, and contribute to wider hospice strategy. The role includes deputising for the DoCS, cross-covering senior colleagues, and participation in the clinical on-call rota.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIESClinical Leadership (50%)
* Lead and sustain a safe, effective, responsive, caring, and well-led IPU.
* Act as a clinical role model, providing expert advice and hands-on leadership.
* Ensure dignity, safety, confidentiality, and holistic care for all patients and families.
* Embed compliance with regulatory standards, hospice policies, and evidence-based practice, including high-quality documentation and risk assessment.
* Ensure continuity of care through effective coordination of ward rounds, handovers, and MDT meetings.
* Manage IPU bed usage, length of stay, admissions, advance care planning, and timely discharge planning.
* Promote safeguarding, mental capacity, and best-interest decision-making.
* Maintain awareness of professional developments and support service innovation.
* Foster multidisciplinary collaboration, reflective practice, learning from incidents, and open discussion of clinical standards.
* Liaise with external agencies to improve patient outcomes.
Managerial Responsibilities (35%)
* Provide effective day-to-day leadership and performance management of IPU staff, volunteers, and administrative teams in line with HR policies.
* Conduct regular 1:1s, appraisals, supervision, and support staff wellbeing, leave, and development.
* Support recruitment, selection, induction, and probation of IPU staff.
* Ensure effective staffing rotas, safe staffing levels, and appropriate use of bank and agency staff.
* Oversee operational support services including pharmacy, equipment, transport, admissions, transfers, and discharges.
* Maintain safe management of medicines and clinical equipment.
* Ensure ongoing compliance with Care Quality Commission and other regulatory standards.
* Contribute to service planning, operational development, budget management, and strategic negotiations.
* Participate in and help manage the 24/7 clinical manager on-call rota.
Governance and Quality Assurance (10%)
* Contribute to development and review of clinical policies, guidelines, and protocols.
* Lead and support audit, quality improvement, and service evaluation within IPU.
* Promote user feedback, patient engagement, outcome measurement, and dashboard reporting.
* Maintain an open reporting culture for incidents, risks, and complaints, ensuring investigation, learning, and improvement.
* Support and mentor staff to lead quality improvement initiatives.
Learning and Development (5%)
* Ensure high-quality student placements and learning environments within IPU.
* Support induction, mentorship, training, and competency development for staff and volunteers.
* Contribute to hospice-wide education strategy, teaching programs, and workforce development.
* Maintain own professional development through appraisal and supervision.
* Foster a culture that supports continuous learning and development.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Registered Adult nurse
* Post registration qualification in palliative care, oncology or other relevant area of practice
* Educated to first degree level in relevant area of practice
* Advanced communication skills qualification or willingness to undertake
* Current NMC registration
Desirable
* Qualification or evidence of additional training in leadership
* Study at Masters level or willingness to work towards
Experience
Essential
* Experience in specialist palliative care, oncology or relevant field of clinical practice, commensurate with the seniority of the role
* Have a range of post registration clinical experience at senior clinical level
* Experience of leading and managing a team or service
* Experience of leading a team through change
* Experience of managing and developing people
* Understanding and completing of data recording and reporting
* Experience of auditing and monitoring the quality of care
* Evidence of recruitment and workforce development
Desirable
* Experience of auditing and monitoring the quality of care
* Experience of working with and supporting volunteers
* Experience of delegated budget management
Skills / Personal Attributes
Essential
* Experience and skills in Quality Improvement methodology
* Knowledge and understanding of hospice systems and processes
* Knowledge of clinical governance frameworks
* Knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance frameworks
* Expert knowledge of the end of life pathway and the patient-centred approach
* Drive and enthusiasm
* Ability to work autonomously and as an effective member of a team, using initiative
* Ability to prioritise effectively and produce work to high standards under pressure
* Self-awareness of own coping strategies and ability to work in a changing environment
* Excellent communication/ interpersonal skills including ability to network, build and sustain relationships
* A commitment to the vision, values, and objectives of St Lukes Hospice
* Team Player
* Understanding and commitment to the Hospices Equal Opportunities policy
* Ability to maintain confidentiality
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Registered Adult nurse
* Post registration qualification in palliative care, oncology or other relevant area of practice
* Educated to first degree level in relevant area of practice
* Advanced communication skills qualification or willingness to undertake
* Current NMC registration
Desirable
* Qualification or evidence of additional training in leadership
* Study at Masters level or willingness to work towards
Experience
Essential
* Experience in specialist palliative care, oncology or relevant field of clinical practice, commensurate with the seniority of the role
* Have a range of post registration clinical experience at senior clinical level
* Experience of leading and managing a team or service
* Experience of leading a team through change
* Experience of managing and developing people
* Understanding and completing of data recording and reporting
* Experience of auditing and monitoring the quality of care
* Evidence of recruitment and workforce development
Desirable
* Experience of auditing and monitoring the quality of care
* Experience of working with and supporting volunteers
* Experience of delegated budget management
Skills / Personal Attributes
Essential
* Experience and skills in Quality Improvement methodology
* Knowledge and understanding of hospice systems and processes
* Knowledge of clinical governance frameworks
* Knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance frameworks
* Expert knowledge of the end of life pathway and the patient-centred approach
* Drive and enthusiasm
* Ability to work autonomously and as an effective member of a team, using initiative
* Ability to prioritise effectively and produce work to high standards under pressure
* Self-awareness of own coping strategies and ability to work in a changing environment
* Excellent communication/ interpersonal skills including ability to network, build and sustain relationships
* A commitment to the vision, values, and objectives of St Lukes Hospice
* Team Player
* Understanding and commitment to the Hospices Equal Opportunities policy
* Ability to maintain confidentiality
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
St Luke's Hospice
Address
Kenton Grange
Kenton Road
Harrow
Middlesex
HA3 0YG
Employer's website
https://www.stlukes- (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
St Luke's Hospice
Address
Kenton Grange
Kenton Road
Harrow
Middlesex
HA3 0YG
Employer's website
https://www.stlukes- (Opens in a new tab)