SDEC Unit Manager | Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit Manager at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust leads the SDEC unit, delivering high-quality, safe, patient-centred care for urgent assessments, diagnoses, and same-day discharges.

You will provide visible clinical and managerial leadership to a multidisciplinary team, oversee workforce planning, performance monitoring, governance and continuous quality improvement.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Job description

SDEC Unit Manager | Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Company:

Company: Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

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 Trustis 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 beingcaring, fair and openunderpin 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.

The SDEC Unit Manager is responsible for providing professional, operational, and clinical leadership to the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) Unit. The post holder will ensure the delivery of high-quality, safe, effective and patient-centred care while maintaining efficient patient flow and supporting the Trust's Urgent and Emergency Care objectives.

The post holder will lead and manage the nursing and support workforce, ensuring that patient care is delivered in accordance with Trust policies, professional standards, national guidance and regulatory requirements. They will be accountable for service performance, workforce management, governance, patient safety, quality improvement and the effective use of resources.

The Unit Manager will work closely with the Matron, General Manager, Medical Teams, Allied Health Professionals and wider multidisciplinary teams to support the ongoing development and transformation of Same Day Emergency Care services.

This advert closes on Monday 23 Nov 2026