Group Head of Clinical Applications (Neighbourhoods)NHS

Job summary

The Group Head of Clinical Applications (Neighbourhoods) holds a pivotal leadership role in overseeing the strategic delivery, operational effectiveness, and ongoing enhancement of the Group's clinical applications and Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems, ensuring robust support for neighbourhood and community-based services.

Main duties of the job

In partnership with the Group Deputy CDIO of Digital Transformation, the post-holder is responsible for assuring that clinical systems are safe, effective, and responsive to user needs, while remaining aligned with organisational strategy and national digital healthcare priorities. The role provides professional leadership to multidisciplinary application teams, manages complex portfolios of work including EMIS, TPP and RIO systems, and ensures the effective integration, optimisation, and governance of clinical applications across the organisation.

Job description

Leadership

• Support the strategic and operational management of clinical applications across community services, ensuring delivery is safe, efficient, and user-centred.
• Lead the configuration, integration, testing, and deployment of clinical systems, ensuring alignment with national standards, local priorities, and clinical requirements.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance to Digital Services colleagues and wider clinical and operational teams on application development, optimisation, and enhancement, including systems outside direct Digital Services ownership.
• Work in close partnership with clinical leaders to ensure systems effectively support safe, high-quality patient care.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

• Establish and maintain strong, effective relationships with key stakeholders, including Deputy Directors, General Managers, senior clinicians, and operational leaders.
• Act as a principal liaison between the Clinical Applications function and internal departments, ensuring clear communication and collaborative working.
• Engage with external partners, suppliers (e.g. Cerner), and regional organisations to support interoperability, shared objectives, and system alignment.

Programme Delivery and BAU Oversight

• Lead the delivery of application-related programmes and business-as-usual (BAU) services, ensuring compliance with agreed timelines, budgets, quality standards, and governance processes.
• Oversee the transition of systems from project delivery into live service, including development of sustainable support models and coordination of user training.
• Identify, assess, and manage risks and issues across programmes and BAU activity, escalating appropriately through governance frameworks.
• Ensure all live applications are supported by appropriate levels of capacity, capability, and resilience.

Operational Planning and Service Management

• Contribute to the planning and delivery of application services, including system upgrades, enhancements, and routine maintenance, minimising disruption to clinical services.
• Develop, implement, and regularly review policies, procedures, and standards to ensure the safe and effective use of clinical systems.
• Ensure services are appropriately resourced, with performance monitored and reported through established governance and steering groups.
• Define system support requirements and ensure that new and existing applications meet business, technical, and regulatory standards.

Communication and Representation

• Represent the Clinical Applications function and Digital Services directorate at Group-wide committees, working groups, and external forums as required.
• Deliver clear, accurate, and timely communication to a range of audiences, including the translation of complex technical concepts into accessible information.
• Prepare and deliver presentations, briefings, and business updates to internal stakeholders, external partners, and national programme representatives.
• Promote effective and responsive communication across teams, particularly in time-critical or high-risk situations.

People Management and Workforce Development

• Provide line management to staff within the Clinical Applications team, ensuring effective allocation across programmes and operational priorities.
• Lead recruitment, appraisal, and performance management processes, supporting staff development and managing employee relations matters as required.
• Ensure all staff receive regular Personal Development Reviews (PDRs) and access to appropriate training and career development opportunities.
• Monitor and manage attendance, wellbeing, and performance in line with Group HR policies.

Deputising and Cross-Cover

• Deputise for the Group Deputy CDIO of Digital Transformation as required, representing the function at senior leadership meetings and programme boards.
• Work collaboratively with the Group Deputy CDIO of Digital Transformation and Group Head of Clinical Applications (Acute) to deliver Group and ICS-wide objectives.
• Provide cross-cover for other senior roles where necessary, ensuring continuity of leadership and service delivery.
• Undertake additional duties commensurate with the seniority and scope of the role, as required by senior leadership.

General

• The post-holder may be required to work across any Group site in line with service requirements.
• This job description outlines the current scope of responsibilities and may be subject to review and amendment over time.
• The post-holder will undertake any additional duties appropriate to the grade and nature of the role.
• For roles at Band 8A and above, participation in the Digital Services on-call rota may be required, subject to assessment. The rota ensures 24/7 access to appropriate expertise to manage significant issues, maintain patient safety, and support staff working out of hours.

About us

St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.