Job summary
The role of a Patient Safety Partner (PSP) is to support the design of safer healthcare at all levels in the organisation and will be involved in key projects related to patient safety. At Medway NHS Foundation Trust, our Patient Safety Partners will reflect the voice and needs of the people that use our hospital and community-based health services to help us develop safer services in partnership with patients, families and carers.
PSPs will sit on committees to support safety improvement by exploring how safety issues should be addressed and providing appropriate challenge to ensure learning and improvement. PSPs will also be involved in the development and implementation of relevant strategy and policy.
The successful candidate will need to comply with relevant policies and maintain strict confidentiality in respect to discussions and information when required.
Main duties of the job
Attendance at relevant Quality and Safety committees to contribute to and support compliance with monitoring and improvement.
Acting as an adviser/critical friend to the Clinical Governance team in the development and delivery of the Patient Safety Strategy.
Putting forward views on behalf of the wider Community/Groups of Patients/Service Users (not own opinion only) through the Patient Experience team.
Evaluating a range of information and evidence and communicating with senior leaders about strategic issues, as an advocate for patient safety.
Championing Quality and Safety improvements to support the Trust in implementation of the relevant strategy and policy.
About us
Medway NHS Foundation Trust serves a population of more than 424,000 across Medway and Swale (Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey). In 2022, we provided care for more than 125,000 patients in our Emergency Department and more than 88,000 inpatients on our wards. More than 278,000 outpatient appointments took place, and in our maternity care services, more than 5,000 babies were born in the hospital and community.
At Medway NHS Foundation Trust, we are dedicated to putting our patients first, at the heart of everything we do. Every time we interact with our patients, their families and carers, we should ensure our interactions are prompt and positive. This requires both listening to the patient and working together with colleagues as a team to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
Our vision and values are a really important statement of the healthcare provider we want to be and of the way we work together. They have been shaped by feedback following engagement with more than 600 members of staff, through surveys, workshops and focus groups. Our staff live these values every day.
Our mission is to provide the “best of care by the best of people”, providing excellent care every time. By 2028, our vision is to deliver the best care outcomes through brilliant people, and be a leading partner within an integrated system of health and social care, providing a patient experience without boundaries.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Skills and experience
Understanding of and broad interest in patient safety.
Ability to communicate your view and feedback about patient safety reports, polices and guidelines.
Ability to understand and evaluate a range of information and evidence.
Confidence to communicate well verbally with senior leaders about strategic issues, as an advocate for patient safety.
Ability to provide a patient, carer, or lay perspective and to put forward views on behalf of the wider community/groups of patients (not own opinion only).
Experience of championing health improvements; able to be a critical friend.
Interaction with multiple stakeholders including NHS staff, voluntary sector and community groups e.g. Health watch and patient user groups
Experience of working in partnership with healthcare organisations or programmes.
Sound judgement and an ability to be objective.
Personal integrity and commitment to openness, inclusiveness and high standards.
Training
There is a requirement for Patient Safety Partners to be trained in patient safety knowledge when needs are identified and training is available. Where possible and appropriate this training will be with staff. Mandatory training may also be required, including in one or more of the following:
Patient Safety Syllabus
Information governance
Equality and diversity
Safeguarding level 1
Infection prevention including hand hygiene.
Further training will be available to PSPs to support them to be effective in their role.
What support will you receive?
You will have a named person who will meet you regularly to discuss your experience and tackle any concerns.
We will reimburse expenses for reasonable out of pocket expenses in accordance with the relevant Trust policies.
Personal
Adhere to the principles of the PSP agreement.
Inform relevant person if unable to attend meetings or undertake any other identified activities.
Communication
Report any safety incidents to staff.
Ensure that patient confidentiality is always maintained.
Equality and diversity
Have an understanding of individual patients needs; consideration for cultural and religious requirements.
Act in accordance with trusts policy and procedures.
General
This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager.
All duties must be carried out under supervision or within Trust policy and procedure. You must never undertake any duties that are outside your area of skill or knowledge level. If you are unsure you must seek clarification from a more senior member of staff.
Additional Information
This post will be subject to an enhanced disclosure check with the Disclosure and Barring Service. For more information regarding the DBS please access the following web site,
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
- Putting patients first
- Responsive to, and supportive of, patients and staff
- Open, welcoming and honest
- Unfailingly kind, treating everyone with respect, compassion and dignity
- Determined to develop our skills and continuously improve the quality of care
Requirements
Essential
- Live, work, study or have connections with Medway or the area of Medway and Swale
- Commit to the role for a minimum of 1 year
Experience
Essential
- Experience of championing health improvements; able to be a critical friend
Desirable
- Experience of working in partnership with healthcare organisations or programmes
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to communicate well in writing and read comprehensive reports
- Ability to understand and evaluate a range of information and evidence
- Confidence to communicate well verbally with senior leaders about strategic issues, as an advocate for patient safety
- Ability to provide a patient, carer, or lay perspective and to put forward views on behalf of the wider community/groups of patients (not own opinion only)
Desirable
- Competent in using Microsoft Office and Excel and the internet
- Interaction with multiple stakeholders at senior management level
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Sound judgement and an ability to be objective
- Personal integrity and commitment to openness, inclusiveness and high standards
Desirable
- Interest in patient safety
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the .
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
Additional information
Employer details
Employer name
Medway NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Medway Maritime Hospital
Windmill Road
Kent
ME7 5NY
Employer’s website
