Neonatal Governance Lead Nurse

NHS; Scunthorpe; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health trust is seeking an experienced Neonatal Governance Lead Nurse in Scunthorpe. You will lead clinical governance initiatives, manage significant incidents, and ensure staff adherence to safety standards. The ideal candidate has a background in neonatal care and governance, with excellent leadership and communication skills. Competitive salary range is offered.

Qualifications

• Experience of Governance, Risk Management, or Health and Safety.
• Training in PSIRF, Root Cause Analysis or experience in investigations.
• Knowledge of CNST and Saving Babies Lives legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations of significant events and serious incidents.
• Support staff in learning from incidents and promote a culture of improvement.
• Monitor the implementation of actions to reduce recurrence risk.

Skills

Governance systems knowledge

Risk Management

Excellent communication

Leadership

Education

Registered RN Adult/Child with neonatal specialty

First Level degree in nursing or health-related subject

Job description

Overview

Go back Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

Neonatal Governance Lead Nurse

A closing date is provided: 13 October 2025.

North Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust has two neonatal units, one at Scunthorpe General Hospital and the other at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby. Both are Local Level 2 Neonatal Units with Intensive Care, High Dependency, Special Care and Transitional Care cots. The units care for babies over 26+6 weeks gestation and stabilise any baby under that gestation to be transferred to a tertiary hospital/NICU.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced neonatal nurse to join our team and develop the role of neonatal governance lead, managing and co-ordinating all aspects of clinical risk, governance and improving Badgernet data quality. The role involves working with the Neonatal Governance Lead at Hull Teaching Hospitals.

The Neonatal Governance Lead will contribute to providing a first-class service by ensuring the Directorate meets NHS clinical governance objectives and targets. This is a vital role with a major impact on developing a clinical governance culture and ensuring patient safety.

Our teams aspire to deliver high quality, evidence-based clinical, developmental and family integrated care to ensure the best outcomes for babies and their families.

Main duties of the job

As the Neonatal Governance Lead, you will lead investigations of significant events and serious incidents within the neonatal service, including root cause analyses, incorporating human factors principles, and developing action plans to address identified issues. You will ensure investigations are completed in a timely and rigorous manner, providing clear, evidence-based reports and recommendations.

You will support clinical and non-clinical staff in understanding and learning from incidents, promoting a culture of openness, reflection and continuous improvement. A key part of your role will be to monitor and evaluate the implementation of actions, ensuring lessons learned are embedded in clinical practice and systems to reduce recurrence risk.

Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, you will contribute to the wider governance framework, attend and present at governance meetings, and maintain accurate documentation and assurance records. You will provide advice and training on governance processes, supporting the development of safe, high-quality neonatal care in line with national and local standards.

About us

The Humber Health Partnership is one of the largest acute and community partnership arrangements in the NHS, serving well over one million patients each year with a budget of over £1.3 billion.

Made up of two Trusts — Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG) and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (HUTH) — our Partnership has significant ambitions and is committed to delivering world-class hospital and community services for the 1.65 million people we serve.

Together we employ nearly 20,000 staff. Our five main hospital sites are Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Scunthorpe General Hospital and Goole and District Hospital for NLAG and Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital for HUTH.

As Teaching Hospitals working with the Hull York Medical School, we lead and contribute to research in biomedical research, primary care, palliative medicine, cardiovascular and respiratory medicine, vascular surgery, cancer surgery and oncology.

We believe that by developing a diverse, inclusive, innovative, skilled and caring workforce, we can deliver excellent care to our patients and a great future for our employees, our Partnership and our community.

Job responsibilities

Within this role you will lead on all governance issues, working collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team. The post holder will lead on any issues that arise within the department, including Serious Incident Reviews and Root Cause Analysis. They will promote a non-blame environment where clinical governance and patient safety are paramount. The role includes risk management and investigation of all incidents and complaints, with feedback shared in weekly and monthly meetings. This will be done in a non-judgmental learning environment that allows staff to reflect on their practice. Essential skills include being a visible, accessible leader with excellent communication, always maintaining confidentiality and empathy. The role includes the development and implementation of policies and procedures in collaboration with the team.

For more detailed information, please read the job description linked below.

As a Trust we are keen to offer and encourage flexible working opportunities to address health and wellbeing and work-life balance for our employees, which positively impacts care. We support open conversations around flexible working to suit your work-life balance or a multi-role career if it works for both you and the role.

Local flexible working arrangements are developed in partnership between the line manager and employee to ensure equality of access to flexible working, as far as practicable, based on patient/service user and staff experience, service delivery and work-life balance.

We are committed to creating and maintaining a fair and supportive working environment and culture where contributions are recognised and valued. We support safeguarding the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all staff, consistent with NHS values. We welcome applications irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances.

To learn more about Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and its benefits, please visit our recruitment website at https://join.humberhealthpartnership.nhs.uk/

In line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Recruitment & Workforce team will use and hold your personal data for the intended purpose and in line with the Recruitment & Workforce Privacy Statement.

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect the same commitment from all staff and volunteers.

Please note that all new employees starting work with us will be charged for the cost of their DBS check, if required for their role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered RN Adult/Child with neonatal specialty
• Experience of Governance, Risk Management and/or Health and Safety, including ability to evaluate current local position against national and local NHS standards
• Knowledge of CNST and Saving Babies Lives legislation
• First Level degree or equivalent in nursing or health-related subject
• Training in PSIRF, Root Cause Analysis or experience in investigations

Knowledge

• Knowledge of governance and risk management systems
• Knowledge of legislation and standards relating to health and safety, security, complaints, claims and incidents
• Knowledge of quality governance
• Experience with serious incident management, safeguarding, quality improvement, infection control, pressure ulcer review

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975 and requires a disclosure check via the DBS.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust

£47,810 to £54,710 per annum