Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Head of Healthcare
The closing date is 20 November 2026

Job summary
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) is seeking an exceptional leader to join our Specialist & Secure Services Division as Head of Healthcare at HMP Nottingham.

This is a unique opportunity to lead and shape healthcare services for a complex population, delivering high-quality care that reduces health inequalities, improves outcomes, and supports rehabilitation.

We are looking for an experienced, innovative, and forward-thinking senior leader with a passion for service improvement, workforce development, and delivering outstanding patient care. Reporting directly to the Assistant Director of Specialist & Secure Services, you will be a key member of the senior leadership team, influencing healthcare delivery across one of NHFT's prison healthcare services.

Please note this post is subject to security vetting. To be considered for this post you will need to have continuously resided in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to this application and be able to evidence your years of residency.

Main duties of the job
As Head of Healthcare, you will provide strategic, operational, and clinical leadership across integrated healthcare services at HMP Nottingham, ensuring safe, effective, and patient-centred care that meets national standards and performance expectations.

You will lead service improvement and transformation initiatives, oversee clinical governance arrangements, and ensure compliance with safeguarding, infection prevention, and regulatory requirements. The role includes responsibility for mental health, primary care, substance misuse, and wider healthcare services, supporting innovative approaches to improving patient outcomes.

You will lead and develop a multidisciplinary workforce, ensuring staff feel supported, engaged, and empowered to deliver excellent care. Working closely with prison leaders, commissioners, and external partners, you will build strong relationships that support continuity of care and contribute to wider health and justice priorities.

The role also carries responsibility for budget management, performance delivery, emergency response arrangements, and participation in the senior on-call rota.

About us
Why Join NHFT?
Joining Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT) means becoming part of an organisation with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. As an Outstanding-rated Trust, we are committed to excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement, creating an environment where our people can thrive and develop.

You'll be part of our Specialist & Secure Services Division, working alongside passionate and experienced colleagues who are dedicated to reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for some of the most vulnerable populations. We offer a supportive leadership culture, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to influence services that make a real difference every day.

NHFT is an award winning Trust recognised as an outstanding provider of health care with consistently exceptional levels of staff satisfaction. We believe in making a difference for you with you, by striving for continual innovation and a collective vision of outstanding, compassionate care. If you hold our PRIDE values of People first, respect and compassion, improving lives, dedication and equality, then The NHFT family would welcome your interest.

Details
Date posted: 06 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year pa, pro rata
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 270-TH526-HMPNOT
Job locations: HMP Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 3AG, United Kingdom

Job description
For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the job description located under the Supporting Documents heading. The full person specification can be accessed under the About You Section of the document.

Person Specification
Qualification / Experience
Essential

• Registered nurse (or hold an equivalent healthcare qualification) or be an experienced manager with robust operational experience.

Desirable

• Leadership qualification / experience
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary environment
• Experience of working within a prison environment
• Experience of change management/improvement

Security Vetting
Essential

• The application includes evidence of the required years of UK residency to meet prison vetting standards

Competencies
Essential

• Be able to communicate with a wide range of people, using a variety of skills, including the ability to utilise effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Be person centered and trauma focused, working collaboratively with key partner organisations, clinicians, and other practitioners within the multi-disciplinary team
• Attend relevant meetings and give formal presentations when required.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details
Employer name: Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address: HMP Nottingham, Nottingham, NG5 3AG, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Assistant Director, Bethan Evans, Bethan.Evans@nhft.nhs.uk

Supporting documents
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