Role Summary
Head of Outpatients (Eastern)
We are looking for a motivated and dynamic person to take up this exciting opportunity to provide management of our Outpatient Services across our Eastern site and support the delivery of our Outpatient Improvement Plan.
About the Role
For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.
More detail about the role
The Trust’s Outpatient Improvement Plan provides us with huge opportunities to deliver exciting new ways to support patient care and deliver efficient services; from Patient Initiated appointments, virtual appointments and patient self-booking appointments. Do you have the skills to help us deliver this?
As well as Service Improvement opportunities the role requires operational experience, with over 30 areas providing outpatient services across the Trust’s acute and community services. The post holder will have key working relationships with all outpatient departments. Our Eastern Outpatient Departments include our main General Outpatient Department as well as specialty rooms across the Wonford site, Ottery St Mary and Budlake at Whipton Hospital.
You will provide operational leadership and support to our Central Support and Booking teams and specialist advice to Care Groups on the best practice in outpatient and booking procedures.
You will work as part of our Outpatient and Elective team to ensure outpatient resources are used appropriately, that patients are booked in according to a standard operating policy and you will work closely with your Northern and community site counterparts to ensure the patient experience is the same across our Trust.
Key Result Areas Include:
- Support the development and implementation of an Outpatient Service Strategy and Vision for the Trust.
- Standardisation of booking processes – and leadership for Central Support and Booking Teams
- Implementation of an electronic room booking solution – and ensuring all rooms are utilised appropriately
- Monitoring of Outpatient data – overseeing improvements in the number of patient initiated appointments and advice and guidance requests
- Working with colleagues to ensure patients receive a good experience in our outpatient departments
This is a great opportunity to be involved in an exciting programme of change as we support the Trust to move towards its objective of Excellence and Innovation in patient care.
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday 0830 - 1630
Interview Date: 26th August 2025
Pay: The salary advertised for this position reflects the Agenda for Change 2025/6 rates, inclusive of a 3.6% pay award which will be implemented later this year. If you join before the implementation date, the pay award will be backdated to your start date. Until then, remuneration will be based on the 2024/5 pay bandings (Pay scales for 2024/25 | NHS Employers)
For further information please contact: Rowenna Rutherford, General Manager; Outpatients and Access on rowenna.rutherford@nhs.net
As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.
Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
About Us
Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).
Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.
Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more
It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.
Benefits
Looking after you is important to us.
We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.
If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.
You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.
We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.
This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.
Salary is not the only financial benefit
You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:
- National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
- Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
- Car lease schemes.
- The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
- Cycle to work scheme
These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.
