We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced senior doctor to take on the important role of Guardian of Safe Working Hours. This is a key leadership position within the Trust, responsible for ensuring that doctors’ working hours are safe, compliant and support both high-quality patient care and staff wellbeing.
This opportunity is open to Consultants, SAS Doctors and General Practitioners, recognising the wide range of senior clinical experience that can bring valuable insight and credibility to the role. We particularly welcome applications from individuals who are interested in developing their leadership and managerial skills, alongside their clinical careers.
The Guardian acts as an independent champion for safe working, operating outside of traditional line management structures, and providing assurance directly to the Trust Board. The postholder will lead on monitoring, reviewing and addressing issues related to safe working hours, including oversight of exception reporting, rota gaps and working patterns, ensuring compliance with national Terms and Conditions of Service.
Importantly, structured support will be provided to the successful candidate, including mentorship, access to senior leadership, and opportunities to build experience in areas such as governance, workforce management, and organisational leadership. This makes the role particularly well-suited to senior clinicians looking to broaden their portfolio and gain exposure to Trust-wide systems and decision-making.
Working closely with other senior stakeholders, the Guardian will ensure that concerns raised by doctors are appropriately addressed, escalated where necessary and translated into meaningful improvements in working conditions and training environments.
This is a high-profile role requiring good communication skills, professionalism and the ability to influence at all levels. The successful candidate will play a key part in promoting a culture of safety, transparency and continuous improvement, with a clear focus on both patient safety and doctor wellbeing.
