Band 8a - Paediatric Matron, WACS | West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust


Company:	West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Salary:	£59,798 - £67,020 pa inc. HCA
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Watford, WD18 0HB
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	19 Oct 2026
Closing date:	18 Nov 2026

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Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated Children's nurse to join our Children's Services team as a Paediatric Matron. We are seeking an experienced and compassionate leader who will support teams to improve patient experience, clinical standards and service delivery. You will champion safe, high-quality, family-centred care for babies, children, young people and their families.

The role offers the opportunity to work across a varied paediatric portfolio and contribute to quality improvement and service development. We welcome applications from experienced matrons and senior nurses ready to progress, with support from a dedicated and experienced senior leadership team.

The role requires flexible working across a seven-day service, including some weekend and night shifts to meet service needs and provide visible leadership across different shifts. The postholder will also participate in the on-site senior nurse and allied health professional rota.

The successful candidate will provide visible clinical and operational leadership across the paediatric services, including Starfish Children's Ward, Safari elective and ambulatory Day Unit, Children’s Emergency Department, Paediatric Assessment Unit and Children's Outpatient Departments across Watford and Hemel Hempstead. Working closely with the Deputy Director of Nursing for Paediatrics, Clinical Directors, Operational and multidisciplinary colleagues, you will support the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality care across Children's Services.

You will lead and support quality improvement initiatives, workforce development, clinical governance, patient experience and service development, helping to shape future models of care for babies, children and young people. The postholder will also work closely with our Children's Clinical Nurse Specialist teams, including our Transition Service, and collaborate with Urgent and Emergency Care colleagues to improve pathways and outcomes for babies, children and young people.

We are looking for a credible, compassionate and approachable leader with excellent communication skills, a passion for continuous improvement and a commitment to supporting and developing teams.

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 you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please contact westherts.recruitment@nhs.net

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

The Paediatric Matron will provide leadership and oversight of safe staffing, clinical standards, patient safety, governance, quality improvement, complaints, risk and service performance across their portfolio. The postholder will provide visible oversight and support within clinical areas.

Working closely with Senior Nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, medical and operational colleagues and the wider Women and Children's leadership team, the postholder will use patient feedback, incident learning and audit findings to guide improvement, support workforce planning and contribute to service development.

The role requires flexible working across a seven-day service, including some weekend and night shifts, to meet service needs and provide visible leadership across different shifts. The postholder will also participate in the on-site senior nurse and allied health professional rota. Flexible working requests will be considered in line with service requirements

This advert closes on Sunday 1 Nov 2026

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