Head of Clinical Services (Primary Care)

Nuffield Health Brentwood; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare charity is seeking a Head of Clinical Services (Primary Care) to lead quality governance, develop frameworks for safe care, and drive improvement across services. The ideal candidate will have national healthcare leadership experience, a deep understanding of clinical governance, and strong communication skills. The role involves working closely with leaders and regulators to ensure high-quality service delivery and enhance patient experience. This position includes hybrid working and requires national travel.

Benefits

Free gym membership

Health assessments

Retail discounts

Pension options

Qualifications

• Proven track record in quality and service improvement.
• Experience working with CQC, HIS, HIW, or similar regulations.
• Strong communication and report-writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead quality governance and assurance across Primary Care services.
• Develop national frameworks for safe, evidence-based care.
• Champion the Primary Care Quality Improvement Plan.

Skills

National healthcare leadership

Clinical governance

Strategic insight

Excellent influencing skills

Leadership skills

Education

Master’s degree or management qualification

Tools

ISO 9001 or other quality management systems

Job description

Head of Clinical Services (Primary Care)

Barbican, London | Hybrid Working with National Travel required | Clinical & Quality | Full‑time | Permanent

Competitive salary available, depending on experience

37.5 hours per week

Nuffield Health is the charity that’s building a healthier nation, one day at a time. From award‑winning hospitals and leisure facilities to flagship community programmes – we’ll do whatever it takes to look after the UK’s wellbeing. It starts with passion and commitment to quality. It starts with you.

At Nuffield Health, we’re on a mission to build a healthier nation. Our integrated, not‑for‑profit model unites hospitals, gyms, wellbeing services and diagnostics – all aimed at transforming healthcare for the better. We're now seeking a visionary Head of Clinical Services (Primary Care) to play a pivotal role in driving excellence, safety and transformation across our diverse primary care services.

This is a key national leadership position that will shape and govern the delivery of high‑quality, safe and effective services across Physiotherapy, Clinical Fitness, GP services and Health Assessments. You'll develop the frameworks and assurance structures that ensure we exceed both regulatory requirements and patient expectations. Your work will be central to our transformation agenda, with a strong focus on quality improvement, operational sustainability and connected health pathways.

As the Head of Clinical Services (Primary Care) you will:

• Lead quality governance and assurance across all Primary Care services.
• Develop and implement national frameworks for safe, evidence‑based care.
• Drive the Primary Care Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) to achieve key outcomes.
• Analyse data from incidents, audits, feedback and outcomes to inform improvements.
• Build strong relationships with internal leaders and external regulators (CQC, HIS, HIW).
• Oversee assurance reviews and produce high‑quality reports for clinical leadership.
• Champion the use and development of RADAR, QMS and other quality systems.
• Support clinical leaders with compliance, inspections and continuous improvement.
• Facilitate quarterly governance meetings with clinical and operational managers.
• Guide resolution of serious incidents and complaints, embedding learning.
• Coach and develop Clinic Managers and future clinical leaders.
• Support recruitment, induction and development of clinical staff.
• Collaborate with Procurement on clinical product and service standards.

We’re seeking an experienced healthcare leader who combines clinical expertise, strategic insight and a passion for quality care, to succeed as the Head of Clinical Services (Primary Care) we’re looking for:

• National healthcare leadership.
• In‑depth understanding of clinical governance, regulatory compliance and audit.
• Skilled communicator with excellent influencing and report‑writing skills.
• Proven track record in quality and service improvement.
• Strong leadership, coaching and development skills.

Desirable qualities are:

• Master’s degree or management qualification.
• Experience working with ISO 9001 / other quality management systems.
• Background in regulation (CQC/HIS/HIW), complaints management and RCA.
• National‑level clinical leadership or project management experience.

Helping you feel good.

We want you to love coming to work, feeling healthy, happy and valued. That’s why we’ve developed a benefits package with you in mind. Here you can choose from a range of fitness, lifestyle, health and wellbeing rewards, such as free gym membership, health assessments, retail discounts and pension options.

At Nuffield Health, we take care of what’s important to you.

If you like what you see, why not start your application now? We consider applications as we receive them and reserve the right to close adverts early (for example, where we have received an unprecedented high volume of applications). So, it’s a good idea to apply right away to ensure you’re considered for this role.

Apply today… It starts with you.

…