Clinical Governance Partnership Lead
At Healthcare Business Solutions, we offer and provide numerous healthcare-based solutions to a variety of clientele. Whether it be patients, clinicians, or corporate businesses, we are always innovative. We consistently provide tomorrow’s solutions, today.
The Clinical Governance Partnership Lead is a senior clinical leadership role responsible for developing operational delivery, and continuous improvement of the business’s clinical governance framework across our NHS partnerships. You will help us meet the expectations of our NHS partners by acting as the "clinical face" of the organisation, assuring our partners that the services we provide are safe, effective, and fully compliant with both CQC regulations and specific NHS Trust governance frameworks. You will be the primary point of contact for clinical escalations, complex investigations, and partnership assurance. You will work closely with the Operations Managers through mobilisation and ongoing delivery.
This role is critical to maintaining a culture of safety, openness, and learning (Just Culture), bridging the gap between independent provider agility and statutory NHS governance requirements. The successful candidate will provide expert clinical advice to the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Medical Officer and the Risk Director.
You will be reporting to the Head of Clinical Governance.
To be considered for the the role you will require the following:
Essential Criteria;
EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
- Current professional registration (NMC, HCPC, or GMC)
- Undergraduate degree in a related healthcare discipline
- Formal training in Investigation (e.g., RCA or PSIRF)
EXPERIENCE
- 5+ years in a clinical governance or quality role within the UK healthcare sector.
- Substantial experience in service mobilisation and leading multi-disciplinary teams.
- Track record of leading complex patient safety investigations.
- Experience of managing budgets and developing business cases for quality / safety improvements.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Deep understanding of CQC Fundamental Standards and NHS Governance
- Knowledge of Data Protection (GDPR) in a clinical context
- Exceptional report writing and ability to present data to senior stakeholders
- Understanding of statutory requirements including Duty of Candour, GDPR and Safeguarding
- Proficiency in Microsoft office suite
PERSONAL QUALITIES
- Compassionate, inclusive leader with a commitment to “Just Culture” and psychological safety
- Resilience and the ability to work effectively in a high pressure, complex environment
- Self- motivated, detail orientated and able to work autonomously
OTHER JOB-RELATED REQUIREMENTS
Desirable;
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
- Masters’ level qualification in related subject
- Formal training in quality improvement
- Risk management qualification
EXPERIENCE
- Experience working within a private provider delivering NHS-commissioned services.
- Experience of working with commissioners of services.
- Familiarity with operating theatres and multiple clinical environments.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- Understanding of PSIRF and its implementation.
- Understanding of clinical informatics and digital clinical safety standards.
- Facilitation and coaching skills.
Within this position, you will mainly be;
Partnership & Clinical Representation
- Client Liaison: Serve as the lead clinical representative on regular contract review meetings with NHS Trusts and other clients.
- Relationship Management: Build high-trust relationships with Trust Lead Nurses, Medical Directors, and Governance Leads to ensure alignment on clinical pathways and protocols.
- Assurance Reporting: Lead the development and implementation of a partnership-specific Clinical Governance Strategy by designing clinical dashboards that demonstrate our performance against Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Quality Accounts.
Patient Safety and Incident Response
- Reporting: ensure that partner and business incident and complaint reporting is effective.
- Complex Investigations: Lead and coordinate investigations into serious incidents (SIs) and complex clinical complaints using recognised methodologies (e.g., PSIRF).
- Root Cause Analysis: Produce high-quality, evidence-based reports that identify systemic failures and provide actionable recommendations.
- Ensure full compliance with the statutory Duty of Candour, managing sensitive communications with patients and families and providing compassionate support to staff involved in safety events.
Clinical Effectiveness and Audit
- Design and lead a robust programme of clinical audit that reviews procedural adherence, clinical outcomes, and documentation standards against NICE and Royal College guidelines.
- Develop and review Clinical Policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure they reflect national best practices and are seamlessly integrated with host Trust environments.
- Utilise advanced analytical skills to triangulate data from incidents, audits, complaints, and mortality reviews to identify systemic risks and prevent repeat harm.
- Ensure that insights from learning responses are translated into sustained changes in practice and verified through follow-up audits.
Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance
- Maintain and oversee the partnership-specific Clinical Risk Register, ensuring that all risks are identified, mitigated, and escalated to the SLT as required.
- Ensure "inspection readiness" for the CQC’s Single Assessment Framework, coordinating the collection of evidence across all 34 Quality Statements where they are relevant to insourcing.
- Act as the organisation's onsite Associate Caldicott Guardian, ensuring that all clinical information is managed ethically, legally, and in compliance with GDPR.
- Monitor compliance with National Patient Safety Alerts and Central Alerting System (CAS) notifications, providing assurance to host Trusts and commissioners.
Onsite Presence and Mobilisation
- Able to provide a clinical presence at insourcing sites to troubleshoot operational-clinical interfaces and provide real-time mentorship to staff.
- Lead the clinical mobilisation of new contracts, ensuring that staff inductions, equipment safety checks, and local pathway validations are completed prior to service commencement.
- Conduct "Ward to Board" safety rounds and "Swarm Huddles" to maintain visibility of frontline clinical risks and support staff wellbeing.
- Ensure that the physical environment and equipment provided by the host Trust are "fit for purpose" and comply with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) standards.
Leadership and People Management
- Provide senior clinical leadership and professional advice to the multidisciplinary team (MDT), including Consultants, Nurses, and AHPs.
- Foster a "Just Culture" where staff feel psychologically safe to speak up about concerns or mistakes.
- Work with our People team to ensure all staff are compliant with mandatory training, clinical appraisals, and the National Patient Safety Syllabus.
Our Commitment to you
We are dedicated to promoting equality of opportunity for all employees and job applicants. In line with the Equality Act 2010, we strive to create and maintain a working environment in which everyone is able to make the best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all choices are based on merit. No person is subjected to any less favourable treatment on any discriminatory grounds on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy and maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
If this opportunity is something which appeals to you, get in touch today, so we can ensure you have the best experience throughout your search.