Group Head of Clinical Applications (Neighbourhoods)
Job summary
The Group Head of Clinical Applications (Neighbourhoods) holds a pivotal leadership role in overseeing the strategic delivery, operational effectiveness, and ongoing enhancement of the Group's clinical applications and Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems, ensuring robust support for neighbourhood and community-based services.
Main duties of the job
In partnership with the Group Deputy CDIO of Digital Transformation, the post-holder is responsible for assuring that clinical systems are safe, effective, and responsive to user needs, while remaining aligned with organisational strategy and national digital healthcare priorities. The role provides professional leadership to multidisciplinary application teams, manages complex portfolios of work including EMIS, TPP and RIO systems, and ensures the effective integration, optimisation, and governance of clinical applications across the organisation.
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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leadership
- Support the strategic and operational management of clinical applications across community services, ensuring delivery is safe, efficient, and user-centred.
- Lead the configuration, integration, testing, and deployment of clinical systems, ensuring alignment with national standards, local priorities, and clinical requirements.
- Provide specialist advice and guidance to Digital Services colleagues and wider clinical and operational teams on application development, optimisation, and enhancement, including systems outside direct Digital Services ownership.
- Work in close partnership with clinical leaders to ensure systems effectively support safe, high-quality patient care.
- Establish and maintain strong, effective relationships with key stakeholders, including Deputy Directors, General Managers, senior clinicians, and operational leaders.
- Act as a principal liaison between the Clinical Applications function and internal departments, ensuring clear communication and collaborative working.
- Engage with external partners, suppliers (e.g. Cerner), and regional organisations to support interoperability, shared objectives, and system alignment.
- Lead the delivery of application-related programmes and business-as-usual (BAU) services, ensuring compliance with agreed timelines, budgets, quality standards, and governance processes.
- Oversee the transition of systems from project delivery into live service, including development of sustainable support models and coordination of user training.
- Identify, assess, and manage risks and issues across programmes and BAU activity, escalating appropriately through governance frameworks.
- Ensure all live applications are supported by appropriate levels of capacity, capability, and resilience.
- Contribute to the planning and delivery of application services, including system upgrades, enhancements, and routine maintenance, minimising disruption to clinical services.
- Develop, implement, and regularly review policies, procedures, and standards to ensure the safe and effective use of clinical systems.
- Ensure services are appropriately resourced, with performance monitored and reported through established governance and steering groups.
- Define system support requirements and ensure that new and existing applications meet business, technical, and regulatory standards.
- Represent the Clinical Applications function and Digital Services directorate at Group-wide committees, working groups, and external forums as required.
- Deliver clear, accurate, and timely communication to a range of audiences, including the translation of complex technical concepts into accessible information.
- Prepare and deliver presentations, briefings, and business updates to internal stakeholders, external partners, and national programme representatives.
- Promote effective and responsive communication across teams, particularly in time-critical or high-risk situations.
- Provide line management to staff within the Clinical Applications team, ensuring effective allocation across programmes and operational priorities.
- Lead recruitment, appraisal, and performance management processes, supporting staff development and managing employee relations matters as required.
- Ensure all staff receive regular Personal Development Reviews (PDRs) and access to appropriate training and career development opportunities.
- Monitor and manage attendance, wellbeing, and performance in line with Group HR policies.
- Deputise for the Group Deputy CDIO of Digital Transformation as required, representing the function at senior leadership meetings and programme boards.
- Work collaboratively with the Group Deputy CDIO of Digital Transformation and Group Head of Clinical Applications (Acute) to deliver Group and ICS-wide objectives.
- Provide cross-cover for other senior roles where necessary, ensuring continuity of leadership and service delivery.
- Undertake additional duties commensurate with the seniority and scope of the role, as required by senior leadership.
- The post-holder may be required to work across any Group site in line with service requirements.
- This job description outlines the current scope of responsibilities and may be subject to review and amendment over time.
- The post-holder will undertake any additional duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the role.
- For roles at Band 8A and above, participation in the Digital Services on-call rota may be required, subject to assessment. The rota ensures 24/7 access to appropriate expertise to manage significant issues, maintain patient safety, and support staff working out of hours.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience
- oSignificant senior experience within an NHS or healthcare environment, with responsibility for clinical applications, EPR systems, or digital service delivery, including lifecycle management and BAU transition
- oStrong understanding of the NHS digital landscape, including ICS integration, interoperability, and national strategy, alongside proven experience working with senior clinical and operational stakeholders
- oIn-depth knowledge of information governance, data protection legislation, and clinical safety standards (e.g. DCB0129/DCB0160) relevant to the safe operation of clinical systems
Skills and Abilities
- Highly developed communication and influencing skills, with the ability to present complex, sensitive and contentious information and persuade senior leaders, clinicians, and boards on digital and clinical system decisions
- Proven ability to lead, develop and assure governance, processes, and systems to support the safe use, optimisation, and continuous improvement of clinical applications and services
- Ability to exercise sound judgement and autonomous decision-making in complex, high-risk or ambiguous situations, operating effectively within politically sensitive environments
Values
- Demonstrates strong commitment to NHS values, patient-centred care, quality, and safety
- Actively promotes and role models equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging, ensuring inclusive practices across teams and services
- Demonstrates compassionate and inclusive leadership, supporting staff wellbeing, engagement, and development
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
St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
St Georges
Blackshaw Rd
London
SW17 0QT
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/