Overview
The Head of Patient Safety and Mortality is a senior clinical leadership role responsible for the strategic development, delivery and continuous improvement of the Trust’s patient safety, mortality and organisational learning systems. The post holder is accountable for ensuring that patient safety intelligence translates into measurable improvements in clinical outcomes, reduction in avoidable harm and sustained organisational learning.
Main Duties of the Job
- Lead the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF).
- Oversee Learning from Deaths and mortality surveillance.
- Manage incident management and safety learning systems.
- Promote safety culture, human factors and just culture development.
The role operates within a matrix leadership model across the organisation, working closely with the Senior Medical Directorate, Corporate Nursing Team, Quality Governance, and Legal Services teams to align, share learning and coordinate improvement.
Key responsibilities include:
- Developing a modern, intelligence‑led safety system to translate insights from safety events into sustainable improvement.
- Collaborating with the Quality Improvement (QI) function to embed learning into improvement programmes across clinical services.
- Adapting to changes in governance and operating models while maintaining focus on patient safety, mortality and learning.
- Providing expert advice on patient safety, challenging where necessary to effect change.
- Handling complex and sensitive matters with professionalise and discretion.
Working for Our Organisation
At NCIC, we are committed to delivering outstanding healthcare services in North Cumbria and creating a centre of excellence in rural and remote care. Our five key principles are:
- Being a clinically led organisation.
- Quality and safety at the heart of our Trust.
- Delivering a positive patient experience every time.
- Providing a great place to work.
- Managing our money well.
We support a diverse workforce reflecting our local community and are dedicated to sustainability across the region.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Registered healthcare professional.
- First degree or equivalent experience.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development.
- Patient Safety Specialist (PSS) accreditation or willingness to undertake training on appointment.
- Postgraduate qualification in patient safety, quality improvement, human factors or a related field.
Experience
- Significant senior clinical leadership experience in a complex healthcare organisation.
- Experience leading patient safety or clinical governance systems.
- Experience of PSIRF implementation or equivalent safety frameworks.
- Experience of mortality review processes and Learning from Deaths.
- Experience of working at or influencing Board or senior executive level.
- Demonstrable experience of leading change and service improvement.
- Experience of multidisciplinary and matrix working.
- Experience of delivering measurable improvement outcomes.
- Experience of Board assurance and regulatory interaction (CQC, NHSR).
Knowledge
- In‑depth knowledge of national patient safety policy and priorities.
- Understanding of systems thinking, human factors and safety science.
- Knowledge of mortality surveillance and review methodologies.
- Strong understanding of quality improvement approaches.
- Understanding of governance and regulatory frameworks.
Skills
- Highly developed leadership and influencing skills.
- Strong clinical credibility.
- Ability to analyse complex information and translate into actionable insight.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to lead in complex and sensitive situations.
- Strategic thinking with strong delivery focus.
- Ability to work effectively across organisational boundaries.
Personal Qualities
- Integrity and professionalism.
- Resilience and sound judgement.
- Collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
- Commitment to patient‑centred care and continuous improvement.
Benefits
- 27‑day holiday scheme rising to 33 days after 10 years.
- NHS discounts.
- Salary sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work.
- Vivup – a free, confidential counselling and information service.
- Relocation assistance may be available for successful applicants moving to the region for certain posts.
Disclosure and Barring Service
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service is required to check for any previous criminal convictions. The cost of the DBS must be met by the successful candidate(s) through salary deduction.
- Standard Check: £21.50 + Administration cost of £6.50 = £28.00. Deducted from salary over following 4 months or one‑off payment.
- Enhanced Check: £49.50 + Administration cost of £6.50 = £56.00. Deducted from salary over following 4 months or one‑off payment.
Employer Certification / Accreditation Badges
Applicants must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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