Head of Midwifery

About the Role

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking for a dedicated and forward-thinking Head of Midwifery to lead the advancement of maternity and neonatal services across its York and Scarborough sites. This leadership position focuses on fostering continuous, meaningful improvements in care quality, ensuring safety, compassion, and high standards for women, birthing people, babies, and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide accessible and visible leadership, mentorship, and coaching to the senior midwifery leadership team, Matrons, ward managers, obstetricians, support personnel, and other team members.
• Collaborate with the Deputy Director of Midwifery to offer expert professional guidance in the development of both community-based and hospital maternity services.
• Oversee day-to-day operations of maternity services across York and Scarborough hospitals, including community and outpatient settings.
• Manage safe staffing levels, patient flow, and escalation procedures while working with the Deputy Director to develop workforce plans, recruitment, and retention strategies.
• Support clinical governance, financial planning, and ensure compliance with regional and national standards and evidence-based practices aimed at improving safety and quality.
• Engage with stakeholders such as the Maternity and Neonatal Voice Partnerships (MNVPs) and Patient Public Voice (PPV) leads to promote patient-centered care and co-production activities.
• Advocate for a workplace culture embracing equality, diversity, inclusion, professional development, and continuous learning.
• Create effective communication channels to share Trust-wide issues with midwives, nurses, and support staff.

Professional Growth and Support

This role provides a valuable opportunity to expand operational leadership skills, supported by the Director and Deputy Director of Midwifery through coaching, mentoring, and involvement in senior leadership activities.

Benefits

• Participation in the NHS Pension Scheme, offering substantial pension benefits plus a lump sum and support for dependants upon retirement.
• Annual leave starting at 27 days and increasing to 33 days based on NHS Trust service length.
• Access to diverse paid and unpaid leave options, including for emergencies and planned absences.
• 24/7 confidential counseling and support for personal, work, family, and relationship matters through the Employee Assistance Programme.
• Eligibility for NHS Car Lease and Cycle to Work schemes.
• Wide-ranging learning and development opportunities.
• Special discounts on entertainment, travel, shopping, motoring, and finance from various providers.

Additional Information

The selection process involves a panel interview and a focus group/task-based component scheduled for 30th and 31st July 2026, held at York and Scarborough.

For more details or informal inquiries, candidates may contact Jo Hadley, Deputy Director of Midwifery, via email at jo.hadley@nhs.net or phone at 07443 749218, or Sascha Wells-Munro, Director of Midwifery, at s.wells-munro@nhs.net.