Quality Governance Lead Diagnostics and Specialties, Band 8b
The closing date is 25 May 2026
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Divisional Quality Governance Lead to provide senior leadership across the Diagnostic and Specialties (D&S) Division. This is an opportunity to shape and influence meaningful improvements in patient care and support the delivery of high‑quality, safe and effective care across our varied group of services.
Main duties of the job
Reporting to the Divisional Director for Quality and Nursing – D&S, you will lead the delivery of quality governance, patient safety, clinical effectiveness and patient experience across our services.
This will include:
* Promoting a quality‑focused culture throughout the Division
* Leading and overseeing divisional quality governance systems and risk management
* Supporting the ongoing embedding of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF)
* Chairing governance meetings and producing high‑quality assurance reports
* Leading Incident Learning, audit and quality improvement activity
* Supporting preparation for regulatory inspections – UKAS, MHRA, IRMER, CQC and national safety requirements
* Actively supporting the aggregation of Speciality Governance Dashboards / matrix and other quality measures
* Leading on the clinical effectiveness requirements for the division, identifying issues requiring escalation that will impact service delivery alongside the specialty quality leads
* Providing divisional ownership and oversight of the Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring a single, coherent and consistent approach to quality governance across all Diagnostics & Specialties services
* Working closely with the Director of Quality Governance, the corporate Patient Safety and Quality Manager, patient experience, clinical effectiveness and quality improvement teams to provide a consistent approach to quality governance
Job responsibilities
Main Duties and Responsibilities
* Oversee the delivery of the quality agenda with the necessary capabilities, knowledge and leadership skills
* Promote a quality‑focused culture and manage the Division’s clinical risk register
* Serve as the point of contact for issues related to quality, safety and clinical effectiveness standards
* Chair governance meetings and lead the Division’s improvement plans and readiness for regulatory inspections
* Develop and implement processes and structures to clarify roles and accountabilities in quality governance
* Analyse and challenge quality information, collaborating with Business Information to strengthen measurement programmes
* Support the Division in reviewing, escalating risks and operating risk‑management processes
* Lead the Division’s Quality Meetings and prepare post‑meeting reports and actions
* Prepare quality reports for Board, Committee and Unit as required
* Actively support the aggregation of Speciality Governance Dashboards / matrix and other quality measures
* Promote a culture of quality improvement to ensure best practice in patient care delivery
* Lead the implementation of the Patient Safety Incident Framework (PSIRF) and oversee incident learning responses and investigations
* Promote and implement the Trust’s PSIRF Policy and Plan within the D&S Division
* Maintain safety incident management in the database, supporting trend and thematic analysis reporting
* Deputise for or represent the Divisional Director of Quality and Nursing within D&S at appropriate meetings and committees
* Lead the audit programme within the D&S Division and disseminate national safety alerts, providing feedback on actions taken
* Lead on the clinical effectiveness requirements for the Division, supporting quality improvement projects with the Gloucestershire Safety and Quality Improvement Academy (GSQIA)
* Coordinate with corporate teams to ensure regulatory requirements are disseminated with clear measurable action plans
* Provide divisional ownership and oversight of the QMS, ensuring robust document control and continuous maturity improvement
* Maintain oversight of a live Divisional Accreditation and Regulatory Register, managing renewal cycles and associated risks
* Coordinate the Divisional complaints processes and develop improvement plans in response to feedback (surveys, FFT, concerns and complaints)
* Review the PALS report and feedback on current trends, supporting teams that may need improvement assistance
* Maintain clinical credibility and be up to date on evidence‑based changes to safety practice, preserving professional registration
* Lead on the reporting of key performance metrics of quality and safety within the division, supporting audit and assurance of these metrics
* Support the implementation of a systematic Clinical Governance approach within the Division
* Develop and review clinical policies and guidelines as appropriate
* Encourage and foster a just and restorative culture, utilising the PSIRF framework for learning and improvement
* Maintain personal and professional development, ensuring a safe working environment
* Lead on the management of policies within the Division
* Maintain the quality framework and risk‑management strategy, chairing and leading meetings and contributing to divisional committees that address the quality agenda
* Work closely with the Patient Quality and Safety Manager for the D&S Division
* Demonstrate integrity and effective communication with patients, families and staff involved in incidents
* Exhibit proven leadership skills to engage senior personnel on care issues and devise learning plans
* Escalate anomalies to the DDQN team and cascade actions for Safety Alerts
* Ensure patients who suffer harm are managed in line with Being Open or Duty of Candour, as appropriate
* Maximise learning from all quality and patient safety work, sharing insights for improvement
* Investigate formal complaints under the NHS Complaints Procedure
* Follow Caldicott and data protection requirements for confidential information use, holding, recording and sharing
* Review information systems supporting the clinical quality agenda to collate timely information
* Maintain confidential reports/records and work with the Divisional Leadership Team to continuously improve service quality and safeguard high standards of care
* Take responsibility for the continuous improvement of professional knowledge and skills
About us
The Diagnostics and Specialties Division is one of four clinical divisions at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Trust and supports a varied group of services, including general outpatients, inpatient, day‑case and outpatient oncology and haematology services, specialist palliative care, pharmacy, radiology, pathology, medical physics, dietetics, psychology and therapy services.
Our Trust places people at the centre of everything we do, working together as one team to support our diverse communities and each other. With over 9,000 employees, we are the largest employer in Gloucestershire and one of the top 10 NHS Trusts in the South West.
Benefits
* Generous annual leave and NHS pension
* Flexible working opportunities
* Discounts, on‑site nurseries and well‑being initiatives
* Opportunities to gain experience across two innovative hospital sites
Person Specification – Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
* Knowledge of NHS risk management within an acute care setting
* Master’s degree (level 7) or willingness to work towards or equivalent experience
* Registered healthcare professional with current registration with a professional body
* Recognised leadership/management qualification
* Experience with the Risk/Incident management System and PSIRF learning responses
* Previous experience of working within a quality and safety role
* Experience of working with clinical teams to support improvement in patient safety
* Ability to prepare clear concise reports, using a range of software in clinical settings, patient care and experience
* Advanced courses related to patient safety (PSIRF)
* Knowledge of quality improvement methodologies
* Experience of coordination of learning responses under PSIRF
* Experience of working with all grades of staff, including executives, to manage risk events
* Knowledge and experience in the function and value of a Quality Management System (QMS)
* Knowledge of and ability to role‑model behaviours of a just and restorative culture
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) will be required to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Contact and application details
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£66,582 to £77,368 a year (PA, pro rata if part‑time)
Permanent
Full‑time
Reference number
318‑26‑T0332
Job location
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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