Job summary
This is an exciting time for Whittington Health. We have substantially improved our emergency department performance and are improving on RTT and 18-week targets. We are working more closely with our NHS and local authority partners, maximising our relationship with UCLH and building on the active role we play within the growing ICS and the Provider Alliance, and demonstrating daily the positive power of joined-up care and collaborative working. With the recent reconfiguration decisions around the Start Well programme, we are investing in both our maternity services specifically, and our wider infrastructure, to equip the Trust for future growth.This is a wonderful opportunity to play a leading role in an organisation that has been at the forefront of integrated care through its continued development. Whether a first-time Chief Medical Officer or experienced in the role, they will be a visible leader with strategic ambition and an understanding of the complexity of hospital and community service operations, ready to engage with and understand the pressures faced by colleagues and patients alike.Whittington Health particularly welcomes applications from historically under-represented groups, including disabled people and members of minority ethnic communities.
The MBS Group are acting as Whittington Health's advisors on this appointment. To apply please send a covering letter and CV to whittingtonapplication@thembsgroup.co.uk by midnight, Tuesday 9th December, 2025.
Main duties of the job
The Chief Medical Officer contributes to the Clinical and Organisational Strategy of the Trust and is an executive member of the Board of Directors, responsible for providing leadership to the medical workforce and for working jointly with the Chief of Nursing and Patient Experience in taking the lead on clinical performance and quality of patient care. The Chief Medical Officer will also work closely with the Chief Operating Officer to achieve the Trust's service objectives, including the delivery of productivity and quality objectives.
About us
Whittington Health is one of London's most developed integrated care organisations, bringing together a distinctive mix of joined-up acute and community pathways, established partnerships with local government, and well-performing adults' and children's services, to serve the communities of Islington and Haringey, as well as other London boroughs including Barnet, Enfield, Camden and Hackney. Serving diverse communities, Whittington Health's mission is "Helping local people live longer, healthier lives". Looking ahead, the Trust will continue to invest in its specialist expertise in women's, children's and frail adults' care, expanding its maternity services following the recent Start Well reconfiguration decisions. It will also deepen its partnerships with UCLH and the Royal Free to enable patients to access specialist care quickly, caring for a population of up to 500,000 people as close to their homes as possible.At the heart of Whittington Health's services are the dedicated staff: over 5,500 colleagues in total, including 580 medical and dental staff who are deeply committed to our communities, and to the long-term health and wellbeing of our patients. Whittington Health will be an organisation in which they all feel they can thrive. At the same time, reflecting both colleagues and the communities they serve, the Trust is committed to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion to reduce health inequalities and make Whittington Health truly an employer of choice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Specifically, the Chief Medical Officer will be responsible for:Corporate role Be a member of the Board of Directors and carry out all the statutory responsibilities as an executive Director of the Trust; Ensure the organisation complies with the Responsible Officer regulations, including ensuring appropriate quality assurance and reporting is in place; Be the Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs - contribute to the corporate development of the Trust through the leadership of key areas of work agreed with the Trust Board; Take responsibility with other Directors for the quality of service and care provided to patients; Take responsibility for the development and implementation of a strategy for medical workforce planning; Horizon-scan to identify new signicant clinical risks for the Trust and work to develop appropriate mitigations; Act to promote the high quality work and achievements at Whittington Health in the wider regional and national healthcare arena;Management of medical staff Work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer to support the work of the Divisions; Take responsibility for devising the clinical strategy for the Trust; Be responsible for service and clinical policy development, particularly relating to national or regional initiatives, directives from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE); Provide advice on medical staffing issues having regard to statutory requirements and national and local policy and guidance. This includes the implementation of the national policy and directives, and the development of clinical indicators to ensure safe and appropriate standards in medical practice;
Lead in managing the conduct, capability and competence of medical staff through locally agreed procedures, working closely with the responsible Deputy Director of Workforce or Chief People Officer; Monitor the quality of patient care against national and local indicators and take action to ensure improvements where necessary; Establish strategically supportive relationships with GPs, Clinical Commissioning Groups and other local clinical network leads, education commissioners and London Clinical Senate and UCL Partners; Be responsible for ensuring the on-going review of consultant job plans, in conjunction with Divisional Clinical Directors, to ensure clinicians duties are t for purpose and clinical care is optimised;
Whittington Health NHS Trust is a dynamic organisation, therefore changes in the core duties and responsibilities of this role may be required from time to time. These guidelines do not constitute a term or condition of employment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Specifically, the Chief Medical Officer will be responsible for:Corporate role Be a member of the Board of Directors and carry out all the statutory responsibilities as an executive Director of the Trust; Ensure the organisation complies with the Responsible Officer regulations, including ensuring appropriate quality assurance and reporting is in place; Be the Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs - contribute to the corporate development of the Trust through the leadership of key areas of work agreed with the Trust Board; Take responsibility with other Directors for the quality of service and care provided to patients; Take responsibility for the development and implementation of a strategy for medical workforce planning; Horizon-scan to identify new signicant clinical risks for the Trust and work to develop appropriate mitigations; Act to promote the high quality work and achievements at Whittington Health in the wider regional and national healthcare arena;Management of medical staff Work closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Nursing Officer to support the work of the Divisions; Take responsibility for devising the clinical strategy for the Trust; Be responsible for service and clinical policy development, particularly relating to national or regional initiatives, directives from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE); Provide advice on medical staffing issues having regard to statutory requirements and national and local policy and guidance. This includes the implementation of the national policy and directives, and the development of clinical indicators to ensure safe and appropriate standards in medical practice;
Lead in managing the conduct, capability and competence of medical staff through locally agreed procedures, working closely with the responsible Deputy Director of Workforce or Chief People Officer; Monitor the quality of patient care against national and local indicators and take action to ensure improvements where necessary; Establish strategically supportive relationships with GPs, Clinical Commissioning Groups and other local clinical network leads, education commissioners and London Clinical Senate and UCL Partners; Be responsible for ensuring the on-going review of consultant job plans, in conjunction with Divisional Clinical Directors, to ensure clinicians duties are t for purpose and clinical care is optimised;
Whittington Health NHS Trust is a dynamic organisation, therefore changes in the core duties and responsibilities of this role may be required from time to time. These guidelines do not constitute a term or condition of employment.
Person Specification
NHS Leadership Competencies
Essential
- Drive high-quality and sustainable outcomes
- Promote equality and inclusion, reducing health and workforce inequalities
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- A qualified and registered Medical Professional
- High level of personal integrity
Desirable
- Master's degree or similar postgraduate management/leadership development qualification, or equivalent experience
Person Specification
NHS Leadership Competencies
Essential
- Drive high-quality and sustainable outcomes
- Promote equality and inclusion, reducing health and workforce inequalities
Education/Qualifications
Essential
- A qualified and registered Medical Professional
- High level of personal integrity
Desirable
- Master's degree or similar postgraduate management/leadership development qualification, or equivalent experience
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.
