Inpatient Matron

NHS; Bedford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Bedford is seeking a skilled Inpatient Matron to lead midwifery services and operational management. The role involves ensuring high-quality care and professional leadership for midwifery staff. Candidates should possess a Registered Midwife qualification, experience in operational management at a Band 7 level, and a commitment to quality healthcare. This position offers a dynamic environment focused on patient care and staff development.

Benefits

Access to training and development programs

Commitment to diversity and inclusion

Qualifications

• Registered Midwife with a strong leadership background.
• Experience in operational management at a Band 7 level.
• Ability to develop and implement policies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of high-quality midwifery services.
• Ensure staff development and management.
• Accountable for quality management of maternity services.

Skills

Leadership

Operational management

Clinical governance

Quality management

Resource management

Education

Registered Midwife

Educated to Masters' level/working towards

Recognised teaching and assessing qualification

Job description

Inpatient Matron

Closing date: 13 October 2025

The Matron has a responsibility for operational line management of the clinical area(s) in their area of responsibility. The post holder will be responsible for providing midwifery leadership to the clinical areas and contributing to the operational management within Maternity, ensuring the efficient and effective use of resources and the development & maintenance of the highest standards of care and efficient service delivery.

The clinical area within their sphere of responsibility may include In-patient areas e.g. Delivery Suite/MLBU/Inpatient wards or Outpatient areas, for the purpose of this role it is Delivery Suite and Triage. The Matron will be required to work closely with the Deputy Head of Midwifery & Gynaecology /Community Matron to have overall ownership of the day to day operational management of the service. The area of responsibility of the Matron will be reviewed from time to time and may be subject to change depending on the needs of the service. The matron is expected to adhere to the framework set out within the Matrons Handbook (2021).

Main duties of the job

Provide a visible and clinical presence within the clinical areas and be responsible for leading the delivery of high quality care. Ensure that the needs of women and their families are placed at the centre of care delivery, thus achieving trust and national standards for clinical quality, safety and patient experience.

Provide professional, clinical and managerial leadership to midwifery, nursing and associated staff, and ensure the provision of a high quality, responsive midwifery service.

Be accountable for all aspects of quality management related to the maternity services.

Lead the workforce and financial planning for midwifery and support services within own areas of responsibility and where appropriate, work collaboratively across the Trust to support these initiatives.

Support the development and implementation of clinical governance initiatives in conjunction with the Clinical Service Line Management Team.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Closing note: vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities

• Support band 7 midwives and specialist midwives to ensure they are developed to undertake management and leadership responsibilities to enable the effective running of the clinical areas.
• Be responsible for overseeing and ensuring the development of all staff across areas of responsibility.
• Using the Trust HR Policies and Procedures, manage clinical and non-clinical standards of poor performance, and the management of sickness and absence.
• Demonstrate experience in the use of appropriate strategies and opportunities to share knowledge on prevention and control of infection.
• Contribute to business, professional and strategic planning within the Clinical Service Line and the organisation as a whole.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Midwife
• Educated to Masters' level/working towards
• Recognised teaching and assessing qualification
• Professional Midwifery Advocate
• Evidence of Leadership development/programme

Experience

• Significant experience of midwifery care as a Band 7
• Experience of operational management
• Proven track record of leadership
• Proven midwifery skill and knowledge
• Proven experience of managing resources including budgetary control
• Current experience of line management of staff
• Experience of managing and sustaining change
• Experience of developing and implementing new policies and guidance
• Evidence of clinical standard setting and audit within maternity services
• Management of Change Process

Skills

• Thorough understanding and knowledge of key indicators of excellent quality care
• Roster Management
• Evidence of involvement with user groups to develop quality centred care

Personal Skills

• Evidence of recent personal development activity
• Demonstrates an ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Highly professional role model

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.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust