Head of Nursing Women and Children's division | East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust


Company:	ESHT
Salary:	£66,582 - £77,368 per annum, pro rata
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Hastings, TN37 7RD
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	10 Sept 2026
Closing date:	16 Oct 2026

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Summary

We are seeking an experienced, forward-thinking, and values-driven Head of Nursing for Paediatrics and Gynaecology to provide visible, compassionate and strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of women’s and children’s services. You will be a Registered Nurse/ AHP with substantial senior leadership experience across services which include paediatrics and women’s health, with a demonstrable commitment to improving outcomes and experiences for children, young people and their families. You will lead on the delivery of professional, clinical and quality standards across acute and community services, ensuring safe, effective and compassionate care is consistently delivered.

This senior role holds professional accountability for nursing practice across paediatric, neonatal and gynaecology services, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, responsive and well-led care in line with CQC Fundamental Standards, the NHS Patient Safety Strategy, and national clinical guidance.

Working as part of the senior leadership team and the relevant care groups, you will ensure strong clinical leadership, professional standards and governance are embedded across all services, supporting the delivery of high-quality, equitable care for children, young people, women and their families.

You will play a pivotal role in translating national priorities into local delivery, including:

Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) recommendations for paediatrics, neonates and gynaecology.

National Patient Safety Alerts and Learning from Patient Safety Events (LFPSE).

NICE guidance and best practice standards.

Royal College standards (RCPCH, RCN, RCOG) and relevant safeguarding frameworks.

The postholder will:

Provide leadership for nursing workforce and professional practice, ensuring safe staffing, skill mix and workforce sustainability across paediatrics, neonates and gynaecology.

Lead on quality assurance, patient safety and experience, driving a culture of continuous learning, transparency, and improvement.

Ensure robust systems are in place to meet statutory safeguarding responsibilities for children and vulnerable groups.

Work in partnership with midwifery, medical, AHP and corporate teams to ensure integrated pathways across maternity, neonatal and paediatric care.

Support delivery of key performance indicators including waiting times, flow, harm reduction, and patient outcomes.

The role requires a highly visible leader who can operate with credibility across complex systems, balancing strategic priorities with operational delivery, and driving improvement across interfaces between children’s, neonatal, and women’s health services.

A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI

We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

This advert closes on Thursday 24 Sep 2026

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