Matron for Mental Health - Cancer & Surgery

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

A major NHS healthcare provider is seeking a Matron for Mental Health to lead a team of nurses, ensuring the highest quality of care for patients with mental health difficulties. This role involves significant clinical leadership and collaboration with medical teams. The ideal candidate will possess strong experience in operational management and strategic planning, with a commitment to improving service performance. The position offers a salary ranging from £64,156 to £71,148 per annum, reflecting the seniority and expertise required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in leading change and performance.
• Experience of operational management at a senior level.
• Expertise in trauma informed care.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, lead and manage the team of mental health nurses.
• Develop and standardize enhanced care processes.
• Ensure the patient experience is of the highest quality.

Skills

Leadership skills

Interpersonal skills

Strategic planning

Performance management

Collaboration

Excel proficiency

Education

First level registered Nurse or Midwife

Relevant Masters/MBA qualification

Job description

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Matron for Mental Health – Cancer & Surgery

Closing date: 21 December 2025

Through strong clinical leadership the Matron will support and oversee the delivery of care to patients with mental health co-morbidities who are admitted to wards on the Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital sites, outpatient departments and ambulatory care settings. They will support Departmental Sisters/Charge Nurses to promote excellence in nursing care, to maintain and improve clinical standards in relation to mental health. The post holder will ensure that all patients are treated with compassion, dignity and respect placing value on the diversity of the local community and beyond. The Matron will serve as an expert role model for colleagues in the engagement and care of patients with complex mental health difficulties.

Interview date: 05/01/2026

Main duties of the job

The Matron will coordinate, lead and manage the team of mental health nurses and well being practitioners. The team will support the assessment, care and review of patients with mental health conditions and acute cognitive impairment. The Matron will work collaboratively with nursing and medical teams to offer professional advice, guidance and oversight. They will lead work developing and standardising enhanced care processes to ensure safe, consistent and compassionate care delivery.

The Matron will develop, coordinate and deliver targeted education and be a key participant within the Trust's mental health forums, supporting the improvement of enhanced care as part of the mental health strategy implementation plans. The Matron's key responsibility is to ensure that the patient experience is of the highest quality inspiring patient and public confidence. This will be achieved through high visibility, accessibility and surveillance. The post holder will be expected to work clinically for 75% of their role.

About us

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK's best known hospitals – Guy's, St Thomas', Evelina London Children's Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation. See www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk.

We are among the UK's busiest, most successful foundation trusts. We provide specialist care for patients including heart and lung, cancer and renal services as well as a full range of local hospital and community services for people in Lambeth and Southwark. See www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk

We have a long tradition of clinical and scientific achievement and – as part of King's Health Partners – we are one of England's eight academic health sciences centres, bringing together world‑class clinical services, teaching and research. We have one of the National Institute for Health Research's biomedical research centres, established with King's College London in 2007, as well as dedicated clinical research facilities. See www.kingshealthpartners.org

We have around 22,700 staff, making us one of the largest NHS Trusts in the country and one of the biggest employers locally. We aim to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and continue to develop new and existing partnerships with local people, patients, neighbouring NHS organisations, local authorities and charitable bodies and GPs.

Job responsibilities

Please see the job description and personal specification that is attached for the detailed information about this role.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

• First level registered Nurse or Midwife (or relevant registered mental health professional)
• Relevant Masters/MBA qualification or equivalent experience

Knowledge and Experience

• Demonstrable experience in leading and delivering change and performance, by engaging teams in strategic direction and delivery plans, establishing clear work priorities with them, delegating effectively, ensuring a capability to deliver, and monitoring performance and giving feedback
• Able to think and plan strategically, tactically, and creatively, and to prioritise work programmes in the face of competing demands
• Experience of operational management at a senior level in an acute setting
• Expertise in trauma informed care and restrictive practice
• Experience of leadership in a physical health setting

Skills and Ability

• Developed Leadership and influencing skills with the ability to enthuse, motivate and involve individuals and teams, and have them understand the Trust's performance expectations
• Ability to collaborate constructively with internal and external partners to create the conditions for successful partnership working.
• A commitment to improving patient services through an ability to sustain a clear performance focus on achieving demanding goals
• Ability to think and plan strategically, tactically and creatively, prioritising work programmes in the face of competing demands
• Strong and effective listening skills; high level of work organisation, self motivation, drive for performance and improvement, flexibility in approach and attitude
• Ability to populate and use Excel Spread Worksheets

Additional information

• Proven strong oral and written communication, in particular for building and managing interpersonal and team relationships
• Strong sense of commitment to openness, honesty and integrity in undertaking the role

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.

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

£64,156 to £71,148 a year (inc. HCA)