Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, dynamic and highly motivated nurse leader to join George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group as Head of Nursing for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust and our community partners, Surrey Downs Health and Care and Sutton Health and Care.

This senior leadership role has responsibility for the strategic and operational delivery of infection prevention and control services across Epsom and St Helier and community services, providing expert leadership, assurance and advice to support the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality patient care. The post holder will lead a well-established Infection Prevention and Control Team and Vascular Access Service, driving innovation, quality improvement and excellence in infection prevention practice

Main duties of the job
Contribute to the strategic direction, development and delivery of infection prevention and control services across the Trust and wider health economy.

Facilitate the effective management of infection risks throughout the organisation through:

• Co-ordination of an effective system of communication relating to infection prevention, surveillance and performance data.
• Provision of specialist infection prevention and control advice to divisions, departments, teams and individuals, both proactively and in response to identified risks or incidents
• Provide assurance reports to Site Leadership team regarding infection prevention and control performance, risks and compliance with statutory requirements
• Lead and co-ordinate the investigation and management of outbreaks, incidents and healthcare-associated infection risks, working collaboratively with the Lead IPC Doctor and other stakeholders to implement control measures and organisational learning.
• Contribute to the identification, assessment and management of clinical and organisational risks by providing expert analysis, assurance and specialist advice to the organisation.
• Ensure effective systems are in place to provide ongoing assurance of compliance with CQC requirements, the Health and Social Care Act (Hygiene Code), national guidance and other relevant regulatory standards.

About us
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.

Details
Date posted: 22 September 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8b
Salary: £72,719 to £83,505 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 200-8294986-GO-ND
Job locations: Trustwide, Wrythe Lane, Sutton, SM5 1AA, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Candidates are strongly advised to refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for this post to to review the details and main responsibilities for this role before application.

Person Specification
application and interview
Essential

• achieved grade and experience

Desirable

• acheived grade/experience

application and interview
Essential

• Significant senior leadership experience in Infection Prevention and Control within an acute healthcare setting, including responsibility for strategic oversight, governance, assurance and outbreak management.
• Demonstrable experience of providing expert advice and assurance to senior leaders, governance committees and multidisciplinary teams on infection prevention, patient safety and quality issues.
• Experience of leading service improvement, change management and quality initiatives that have delivered measurable improvements in patient safety or organisational performance.
• Knowledge of current Infection Prevention and Control legislation, national guidance, regulatory requirements and healthcare-associated infection prevention strategies.
• Ability to lead and influence across organisational boundaries and develop effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable

• achieved/experience
• Experience of working across acute and community healthcare settings.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Trustwide, Wrythe Lane, Sutton, SM5 1AA, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Group Clinical Director, IPC
Prodine Kubalalika
prodine.kubalalika@nhs.net
07867343008

Privacy notice
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).