Band 8b - Head of Governance and Patient Safety, Governance

Job Advert Skip to main content Cookies on NHS Jobs We've put some small files called cookies on your device to help us make improvements to our site. To improve our site we'd also like to use cookies which will send information to Google Analytics. You can read more about our cookies before you choose. Accept analytics cookies Do not accept analytics cookies Jobs Menu Sign in Create an account English Cymraeg Menu Close menu Search Sign in Create an account Display in Welsh (Cymraeg) Search Sign in Create an account Display in Welsh (Cymraeg) BETA Your feedback will help us to improve this service. West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Band 8b - Head of Governance and Patient Safety, Governance The closing date is 22 October 2026 Apply for this job Job summary We are seeking an exceptional and motivated Head of Governance and Patient Safety to join our Governance Directorate. This is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for driving patient safety, quality governance and organisational learning across the Trust, with specific leadership responsibility for governance teams supporting the Medicine, Outpatients and Emergency Medicine Divisions. Reporting to the Associate Director of Quality and Patient Safety, you will play a key role in delivering the NHS Patient Safety Strategy, embedding the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF), and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, openness and learning. You will work closely with clinical and operational leaders to ensure governance systems are effective, proportionate and focused on improving patient outcomes and experiences. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced governance, quality or patient safety leader to influence strategic decision-making, support high-quality care and contribute to the Trust's vision of delivering excellent patient care, together. Main duties of the job As Head of Governance and Patient Safety, you will provide operational leadership for governance, patient safety and risk management across the Medicine, Outpatients and Emergency Medicine Divisions, while contributing to the delivery of the Trust-wide patient safety agenda. You will work on embedding the NHS Patient Safety Strategy and PSIRF, ensuring robust systems are in place for incident management, investigations, organisational learning and patient safety improvement. The role is also responsible for working in partnership with the divisional triumvirate to oversee divisional governance functions including risk management, complaints, claims, inquests, clinical audit, quality assurance and regulatory compliance Working collaboratively with senior clinical and operational leaders, you will provide expert advice on governance and patient safety matters, support quality improvement initiatives and ensure that learning from incidents, audits and patient feedback results in meaningful and sustainable improvements. You will also lead the development of high-quality assurance reports and provide governance support to senior committees and the Trust Board. About us With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us. We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare. Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience. Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others. We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking If y