North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
Head of Patient Safety and Mortality
The closing date is 21 July 2026
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.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF)
- Oversee Learning from Deaths and mortality surveillance
- Manage incident management and safety learning systems
- Promote a safety culture, human factors and just culture development
- Develop a modern, intelligence-led safety system and translate insights into sustainable improvement
- Embed learning into improvement programmes across clinical services in partnership with the Quality Improvement (QI) function
- Adapt to changes in governance and operating models while maintaining a clear focus on patient safety and learning
- Provide expert advice on patient safety, challenge where necessary and lead change, evidence and learning initiatives
- Deal with complex, sensitive, and sometimes emotional matters with professionalism and integrity
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
- *Subject to eligibility
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 related field
Experience
- Significant senior clinical leadership experience in a complex healthcare organisation
- Experience of 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
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check to confirm no previous criminal convictions. DBS costs will be met by the successful candidate through salary deduction.
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