Clinical Lead for Patient Flow


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£81,774 to £93,879 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Dartford, DA2 8DA
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	23 Oct 2026
Closing date:	5 Nov 2026

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Summary

Working as part of the Operations Directorate Management Team, alongside the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Assistant Chief Operating Officer (ACOO), the Clinical Lead for Patient Flow is a senior clinical and operational leader responsible for ensuring the safe, effective and timely movement of patients through the hospital pathway. The role provides strategic leadership for patient flow, capacity management, site operations and discharge processes, ensuring high-quality, patient-centred services that optimise performance, improve outcomes and enhance patient experience. The post holder will lead the Trust's Clinical Site Team and Discharge Lounge, overseeing the day-to-day management and future development of site services, capacity management arrangements and escalation processes. Working closely with divisional teams, community partners and system stakeholders, they will develop and implement initiatives that improve flow, reduce delays and support delivery of key operational standards. This role is a key support to the wider Directorate and Divisional leadership teams, including service leads and operational managers, in the planning, development, delivery and review of high-quality, patient-centred pathways and services. The post holder will directly manage a portfolio of services and projects as determined by the COO, with responsibilities adapting to meet the changing needs of the organisation. The Clinical Lead for Patient Flow will play a leading role in creating a culture that embodies the Trust's values and behaviours, providing visible leadership around standards, performance and staff engagement. They will ensure services remain clinically led and performance focused, placing patients and service users at the heart of all managerial and operational decisions. The post holder will also contribute to the Trust's emergency preparedness and response arrangements, participate in the Tactical On-Call rota, and work collaboratively with internal and external partners to maintain patient safety and operational resilience during periods of pressure.

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