In the event of excessive applications being received, this vacancy may close earlier than the stated closing date; you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM
All references from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of three years of employment. When completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number, and work email address of each of your current or previous line managers that cover three years of employment. Where possible this should be from two separate employers. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.
PLEASE NOTE it is a requirement of this Trust that all successful applicants pay for their DBS certificate if a check is required for the post. This will be done through deduction from your monthly pay over a maximum of three months. All successful applicants must also register or be registered with the DBS update service where a DBS is required.
All new entrants to the NHS will be appointed on the minimum pay scale in line with Terms & Conditions.
Job overview
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Clinical Midwifery Matron to join our senior maternity leadership team. This pivotal Band 8a role offers an exciting opportunity to lead and shape high‑quality, evidence‑based care across our inpatient maternity services.
Key Responsibilities:
* Provide visible, compassionate leadership to midwifery and obstetric teams within the maternity and neonatal services.
* Drive continuous quality improvement and ensure services meet national standards and local performance metrics.
* Collaborate with cross‑disciplinary teams to coordinate seamless care.
* Foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive working culture that promotes staff wellbeing and development.
What We’re Looking For:
* NMC registered midwife with significant post‑registration clinical experience in midwifery care.
* Demonstrable leadership experience in a senior midwifery or managerial role.
* Sound knowledge of national drivers impacting maternity and neonatal services.
* Proven ability to lead and inspire teams, influence change, and deliver high standards of care.
* Excellent interpersonal, communication, and strategic thinking skills.
Main duties of the job
We are extremely proud of our maternity service at Gateshead Health but recognise the ongoing challenges to further develop and maintain our excellent patient feedback and quality and safety metrics. We are seeking a compassionate, dedicated, and visible leader to continue our implementation of the national three‑year delivery plan, retain and improve our “Good” CQC ratings, continue compliance with the Maternity Incentive Scheme, and implement our new Gateshead Health Strategic priorities.
The Maternity service is part of the Division of Surgery, Women’s Health and Children, within the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The Matron will work closely with the Community Matron, Associate Director of Midwifery/SCBU, Service Line Manager, Lead Midwife for Quality Risk and Safety, and Matron colleagues within the wider Trust. The successful applicant will implement the maternity agenda at an operational level, ensuring that the team and our women and their families are engaged, listened to and supported at every step.
The post holder will be supported by the senior maternity and wider matron teams in their own personal development into the matron role. This is an operational leadership role which includes the day‑to‑day oversight of the acute maternity service, including ensuring safe staffing, line management of the ward managers, report writing, matron walk‑abouts, attendance at Trust and regional meetings, and deputising for the Associate Director of Midwifery/SCBU.
Working for our organisation
Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.
Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.
We now employ around 4,800 staff and provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.
Our values are the ‘golden thread’ that runs through everything we do – they are the core of who we are. Our five values can be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE: Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.
We have a number of staff networks including the Global Ethnic Majority (GEM) network, D‑Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women’s Network, to challenge us and help us constantly improve. Our Armed Forces network is one of our emerging networks.
The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our ‘Balance’ programme to cater for our diverse workforce, ensuring your individual needs are supported for a happy and healthy working experience with us.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
* Registered Midwife 1st level and current NMC Registration
* Evidence of Post Graduate study and continued professional development
* Demonstrate a high level of interpersonal and communication skills
* Significant senior midwifery experience
* Previous operational management experience
* Ability to cope with and diffuse difficult and stressful situations
* Excellent organisational skills
* Risk management knowledge
* Flexible approach to work
* Clinical Governance knowledge
Person specification
* Registered midwife
Experience
* Leadership role
Applicants who have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date are to assume that their application has been unsuccessful.
Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications where the post is eligible.
Candidates who require sponsorship are strongly advised to visit the UK Border Agency website and familiarise themselves with what is required.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
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