Head of Service (Child and Women\'s Health)

NHS; Barnstaple; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS healthcare provider in Barnstaple is seeking a Head of Service for Paediatrics. The role involves ensuring high standards of care, leading operational improvements, and managing a dedicated team to enhance patient services. The position requires a relevant medical degree and extensive healthcare leadership experience. Competitive salary and numerous benefits offered, including generous leave and support for professional development.

Benefits

27 days paid annual leave

Access to occupational health services

NHS Pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Staff discounts

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in a healthcare setting.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clinical and operational teams.
• Strong decision-making skills and clinical expertise.

Responsibilities

• Ensure high standards of leadership and optimal performance across services.
• Lead change and improvement efforts within the paediatric services.
• Monitor patient access targets and key performance indicators.

Skills

Leadership in healthcare

Operational management

Clinical oversight

Education

Relevant medical degree

Job description

Job summary

This exciting opportunity is available on a substantive basis as Head of Service for Paediatrics for Royal Devon, also providing senior care group leadership presence for the Care Group for Barnstaple. You will be based in Barnstaple over 37.5 hours each week, working closely with the Care Group Leadership team, North Devon clinicians, nursing teams and managers.

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within peoples own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Its never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as youll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Details Date posted

28 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

185-789-11145

Job locations

North Devon District Hospital

Raleigh Park

Barnstaple

Devon

EX314JB

Job description Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

The Women and Children's Care Group Head of Service is a leadership role ensuring high standards of leadership and consistent, optimal performance across a defined range of specialties and services within the wider Care Group.

The post holder will be expected to act independently supporting Paediatrics for the Royal Devon, taking timely decisions to ensure the operational delivery of the services & specialities within their domain, leading change and improvement by supporting and influencing clinical, operational and, where necessary, corporate teams.

The post holder will provide strong operational leadership within their area of responsibility to ensure transformative, effective, and efficient delivery of services. They will support, at a senior and strategic level, the Operational Leadership team in leading their specialty. The Care Group Head of Service will support the development and implementation of the Care Group plan which will maintain patient care to the highest levels of safety and quality; ensure efficient use of resources; promote a culture that is progressive and inclusive; meet the objectives contained within the Trust priorities and operational plan.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the delivery, & reporting, of patient access targets; a range of key performance indicators relating but not limited to - urgent and emergency care, elective care including referral to treatment times, cancer & diagnostic waiting times; financial performance and Delivering Best Value programme within the services managed.

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week.Monday to Friday, normal working hours

Interview Date: Tuesday 19th August in Barnstaple - To be confirmed

For further information please contact: Natalie Wickins, Care Group Director at [e-mail]

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Job description Job responsibilities

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role

The Women and Children's Care Group Head of Service is a leadership role ensuring high standards of leadership and consistent, optimal performance across a defined range of specialties and services within the wider Care Group.

The post holder will be expected to act independently supporting Paediatrics for the Royal Devon, taking timely decisions to ensure the operational delivery of the services & specialities within their domain, leading change and improvement by supporting and influencing clinical, operational and, where necessary, corporate teams.

The post holder will provide strong operational leadership within their area of responsibility to ensure transformative, effective, and efficient delivery of services. They will support, at a senior and strategic level, the Operational Leadership team in leading their specialty. The Care Group Head of Service will support the development and implementation of the Care Group plan which will maintain patient care to the highest levels of safety and quality; ensure efficient use of resources; promote a culture that is progressive and inclusive; meet the objectives contained within the Trust priorities and operational plan.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring the delivery, & reporting, of patient access targets; a range of key performance indicators relating but not limited to - urgent and emergency care, elective care including referral to treatment times, cancer & diagnostic waiting times; financial performance and Delivering Best Value programme within the services managed.

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week.Monday to Friday, normal working hours

Interview Date: Tuesday 19th August in Barnstaple - To be confirmed

For further information please contact: Natalie Wickins, Care Group Director at [e-mail]

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with Priority and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we'll help you get there.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you're starting out in the NHS, you'll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You'll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You'll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

You will also have access to other benefits including:

National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.

Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter

Car lease schemes.

The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).

Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available if the role is something you are interested in, we'd love to hear from you.

Person Specification General Requirements Essential

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Person Specification General Requirements Essential

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

Desirable

• See job description text above, and (where applicable) you can download a copy of the full job description

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

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

North Devon District Hospital

Raleigh Park

Barnstaple

Devon

EX314JB

Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Address

North Devon District Hospital

Raleigh Park

Barnstaple

Devon

EX314JB

Employer's website

https://royaldevon.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)