Director of Midwifery

As one of only four teaching Boards in Scotland, NHS Tayside has a strong track record of continually seeking ways to transform and improve the way we deliver health and care to the people of Tayside.  We achieve this through our dedicated team of health and care professionals, who are passionate about the work they do and are committed to the people they serve.

Here in Tayside, we are focusing on clinician-led, whole-system redesign, working towards delivery of modern, world class services, directly addressing the needs of our communities.  Our approach is rooted in providing high quality, safe, affordable and sustainable health and care, while exploring ways to improve outcomes, using realistic medicine principles, and by working closely with partners in a whole system approach to tackle the underlying determinants of health.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and innovative Director of Midwifery for NHS Tayside. As a member of the Nursing and Midwifery Directorate reporting directly to the Executive Nurse Director you will be a key contributor in the delivery of safe, effective and person centred, compassionate care to the people of Tayside. 

You will be accountable for the provision of midwifery and nursing leadership, providing direction, leadership, support, and guidance within the midwifery, womens health and early years agenda, including but not limited to maternity, neonates, gynaecology and early years childrens nursing services. You will also provide leadership and guidance working closely with Public Health to shape the agenda related to maternity, womens health, and childrens health agenda.

Within this context the post holder will lead on Midwifery and Nursing Care Governance, Standards of Practice and Professional Governance for all Registered and Unregistered Midwifes and Nurses within their portfolio. The Director of Midwifery will ensure that midwifery and nursing care recognises the uniqueness of the individual and their care needs, and ensures that it is safe, contemporary, person centred and maximises the involvement of patients and carers of the individual.

You will provide strategic Midwifery direction to NHS Tayside and your teams across the Womens Childrens and Family Division and you will lead the Boards continued implementation of the Best Start: A Five-Year Forward Plan for Maternity and Neonatal Care in Scotland, with a strong focus on continuing midwifery continuity of care.

You will contribute to developing the strategic direction of nursing and midwifery for NHS Tayside and ensure that the national and local nursing and midwifery agenda, policy and initiatives are influenced and delivered.  Integral to this will be providing professional leadership and advice to nurses, midwives and other colleagues at a variety of levels across the organisation. 

Key to your success will be your ability to develop and maintain constructive relationships with a wide range of clinical and non-clinical staff across NHS Tayside.  This will involve working with organisations across NHS Scotland; Scottish Government Health Department; NHS Education for Scotland; Health Improvement Scotland; media and senior officers of other organisations including local authorities, higher education and independent sector agencies.

You will have a proven track record accompanied with extensive experience in a senior professional midwife leadership role.  You will have successful experience of managing patient safety, service improvement and quality, integrating professional nursing and midwifery perspectives with service strategy.  High level clinical and leadership credibility is a pre-requisite as are excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to think strategically and analytically, good influencing and negotiation skills alongside the ability to deliver change.

We are looking for an individual who will work in a challenging environment, champions new initiatives and stimulates others to develop innovative ideas and improvements.

The post holder must be a Registered Midwife with post registration experience gained in a variety of environments to a level of seniority commensurate with this post.

Additionally, professional knowledge acquired through degree level education and supplemented by specialist training or experience and education to Masters Level with a formal qualification (or evidence of experiential learning commensurate with Masters level study) is required.

To arrange an informal discussion with Simon Dunn, Executive Nurse Director, please contact Rachael McAulay on Ext 32618 or telephone to arrange a suitable time.

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