Head of Nursing and Allied Health Professionals

The Divisional Head of Nursing and Allied Healthcare Professionals (AHPs) provides senior professional and clinical leadership across the Clinical Support and Cancer Services Division. The role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of nursing and AHP practice, quality, safety, and patient experience, while supporting the strategic aims and operational delivery of the Division and the Trust. As a member of the Divisional Leadership Team, the post holder works in close partnership with the Divisional Director, Divisional Clinical Chair, and Head of Clinical Administration and Governance. Together, they provide collective leadership for clinical governance, workforce performance, service improvement, and delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective care. The post holder leads the professional development, performance, and wellbeing of nursing and AHP staff, ensuring services meet national, professional, and regulatory standards. This includes responsibility for safe staffing,
workforce planning, education and training, and the development of advanced and evolving clinical roles. The role plays a critical part in assuring quality and safety by embedding a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and learning. The post holder acts as a visible, credible clinical leader, championing patient-centred care and representing nursing and AHP perspectives at divisional, Trust-wide, and external forums.

Main duties of the job

Lead and inspire Nursing and Allied Health Care Professional (AHP) teams across the Division, ensuring high standards of care for patients and families.

Champion safe, compassionate, and person-centred care that meets national and professional standards.

Work closely with senior clinical and operational leaders to ensure services are well-led, safe, and continuously improving.

Be a visible and approachable leader, promoting Trust values and supporting a positive, inclusive workplace culture.

Support and improve patient experience by listening to feedback and turning learning into meaningful change.

Oversee nursing and AHP workforce planning, ensuring teams are safely staffed and well supported.Lead staff recruitment, development, appraisal, and wellbeing, helping colleagues to grow and succeed.

Support education, leadership development, and the growth of advanced and innovative clinical roles.

Contribute to divisional performance and sustainability, ensuring quality care is delivered efficiently.

Use data and insight to support improvement and informed decision-making.

Represent nursing and AHP services at Trust and system level, working in partnership with others to improve care.

Ensure clear communication between frontline teams and senior leadership.

Participate in the senior on-call rota and support operational and clinical decision-making when required.

The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is the main provider of acute and specialist care services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. It serves a population of around 470,000 people, a figure that can increase significantly with visitors during the busiest times of the year. We employ approximately 6,700 staff and have a budget of approximately £740 million.

RCHT is responsible for the provision of services at three main sites with approximately 780 inpatient beds:

Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro

St Michael's Hospital in Hayle

West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance

We are a teaching hospital in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School.

Keeping at the forefront of medical advances, we are continually developing our clinical services as well as our facilities, and are committed to maximising the range of specialist care that can be offered locally. Allied to this is a growing reputation for research and innovation.

The Knowledge Spa on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site is the base for medical and nursing as well as ongoing education for health professions in clinical and non-clinical roles. This plays a vital part in attracting and retaining highly skilled teams of doctors, nurses and other health professionals who support the care of well over half a million people each year.