Head of Patient Safety

Job overview

Are you passionate about patient safety and quality improvement? We are seeking a compassionate, collaborative, and visible leader to join our Trust as the Head of Patient Safety (Patient Safety Specialist). This is a senior role, providing expert support and leadership to drive a culture of safety and continuous improvement across all our services.

You will play a pivotal role in developing and embedding patient safety systems, supporting the executive team, and ensuring that the patient is at the centre of all safety activity. Working closely with the Deputy Director of Nursing, you will help align patient safety responsibilities across the Trust and support the implementation of the NHS Patient Safety Strategy.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Provide expert leadership and oversight for patient safety, including systems-based investigations and improvement programmes.
• Develop and deliver the Trust’s patient safety strategy, ensuring alignment with national policy and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and support the Patient Safety Team, fostering a culture of openness, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Advise the Board and executive team on patient safety issues, risks, and improvement approaches.
• Oversee the response to National Patient Safety Alerts and ensure robust systems for compliance.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including regional and national patient safety networks.
• Design and deliver multi-professional patient safety training and support the implementation of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF).
• Ensure effective communication and engagement with staff, patients, carers, and partners.
• Deputise for the Deputy Director of Nursing as required.

The role will involve a blend of agile working and on-site presence. While some flexibility in working arrangements will be supported, the post holder will be required to attend in person on a regular basis. This will include working from a range of bases as required by the role.

Closing Date: 6th November 2026

Shortlisting Date: 10th November 2026

Interviews: Mid-End November 2026

Working for our organisation

• Everything we do is underpinned by our core values: -
• We Care - We act with respect and empathy, and always value difference
• We Listen - We understand people’s views and respond to their individual needs
• We Deliver - We develop and provide excellent services and support our partners

We will consider a variety of flexible working arrangements to enable staff to balance their work and home lives and support staff by offering a fantastic range of benefits including :

• Increase mileage rates for > 4500
• A wide range of health and wellbeing support packages
• A range of internal and external development and learning opportunities
• Plus many more.
• We are also proud to pledge our support to the Armed Forces and hold a Bronze Award in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

BDCFT is dedicated to environmental and social sustainability by delivering on the commitments within our Green Plan. All staff are actively encouraged and supported to participate in training and to identify and implement sustainable quality improvement across all service areas and activities.

Please note that the Trust reserves the right to close the vacancy before the closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. It is in the candidate’s best interest to apply as soon as possible