SDEC Unit Manager

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust invites applications for an SDEC Unit Manager to lead a dynamic multidisciplinary team, delivering rapid assessment, diagnosis and discharge within same-day pathways. The role focuses on clinical and managerial leadership, service planning and continuous quality improvement across urgent and emergency care.

The post holder will champion patient safety, drive improvements, manage resources effectively and work with trust-wide urgent care initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience managing teams in a fast-paced acute healthcare environment.
• Commitment to quality improvement and patient safety.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and management of the SDEC Unit to ensure efficient daily operations.
• Ensure patient flow supports same-day assessment, treatment and discharge where appropriate.
• Monitor capacity and escalation processes to maintain service delivery and patient safety.
• Coordinate staffing resources to ensure safe workforce deployment across the unit.
• Lead joint working with medical, nursing and allied health teams to deliver urgent care pathways.

Job description

The Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit Manager is responsible for the operational leadership, management, and service delivery of the SDEC Unit, ensuring the provision of high-quality, safe, patient-centred care for patients requiring urgent assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and discharge within the same day whenever clinically appropriate.

The post holder will provide visible clinical and managerial leadership to the multidisciplinary team, ensuring effective workforce management, service planning, performance monitoring, and continuous quality improvement. They will be accountable for maintaining high standards of patient care, achieving key performance targets, supporting staff development, and ensuring compliance with Trust policies, national standards, and professional regulations.

Working closely with medical, nursing, allied health professional, operational, and corporate teams, the Unit Manager will lead the delivery and development of the SDEC service, promoting efficient patient flow, reducing unnecessary hospital admissions, and supporting the organisation's urgent and emergency care objectives.

The post holder will foster a positive and inclusive working environment, champion patient safety, drive innovation and service improvement initiatives, manage resources effectively, and ensure that patients receive timely, evidence-based care within a dynamic and fast-paced clinical setting.

Operational Management

• Provide overall leadership and management of the SDEC Unit, ensuring efficient and effective daily operations.
• Ensure patient flow through the department is optimised to support same-day assessment, treatment, and discharge where clinically appropriate.
• Monitor and manage capacity, demand, and escalation processes to maintain service delivery and patient safety.
• Lead the coordination of staffing resources to ensure safe skill mix and workforce deployment across the unit.
• Participate in operational meetings and contribute to Trust-wide urgent and emergency care initiatives.
• Ensure achievement of key performance indicators, quality standards, and national access targets.

North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust is a busy and diverse NHS Trust serving the communities of Enfield, Haringey and the surrounding areas. Based in Edmonton, North London, the Trust provides a wide range of acute and community services to a population that is rich in culture, diversity and talent.

At North Middlesex University Hospital, we are committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate care and continually improving the experience of our patients, families and staff. Our values of being caring, fair and open underpin everything we do and help us create a positive and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

The Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) service plays a key role in delivering modern urgent and emergency care pathways, enabling patients to receive rapid assessment, diagnostics and treatment without the need for unnecessary hospital admission. As SDEC Unit Manager, you will have the opportunity to lead a dynamic multidisciplinary team and make a significant contribution to the development of innovative services that improve patient outcomes and flow across the organisation.

We are committed to supporting the wellbeing, professional development and career progression of our staff. You will benefit from access to a range of learning and development opportunities, leadership programmes, staff networks, health and wellbeing initiatives, and flexible working options where service needs allow.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Pinar Akar Gun Job title: Matron Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 02088873392

This is an exciting opportunity to lead and further develop a high-performing Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) service within North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust. The successful candidate will join a dedicated multidisciplinary team committed to delivering innovative, patient-centred care and supporting the Trust's urgent and emergency care transformation agenda.

The post holder will be expected to work flexibly in accordance with service needs and will be required to provide visible leadership across the service, including participation in operational escalation processes and management responsibilities as required.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate leader with excellent communication, organisational and decision‑making skills. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate experience of managing teams within a fast‑paced acute healthcare environment and have a strong commitment to quality improvement, patient safety and staff development.