Derwentside Hospice Care Foundation – or Willow Burn Hospice as we are known locally - is currently seeking a Head of Clinical Services to lead our dedicated clinical team. We are an independent charity delivering palliative and end of life care services to adults and their families across Derwentside and County Durham.
This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join the Willow Burn Hospice Senior Management Team and to take the Clinical Services here forward in 2026 and beyond.
Key Responsibilities
The Head of Clinical Services will be responsible for:
Being a member of the Senior Management Team and provide clinical leadership and clear lines of accountability for all teams caring for patients, carers and families at Willow Burn Hospice.
Ensuring a high standard of quality care is provided to patients, carers and families by providing advice, direction, management and responsibility for all clinical and support teams and ensuring effective governance.
Being the regulated CQC Registered Manager.
Being the Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer.
Being the designated Safeguarding Lead.
Actively ensuring that the voice and needs of patients, carers and families are at the heart of all our service delivery and improvement/development activity.
Having a number of direct reports – All clinical staff in collaboration with Designated Deputy. This currently covers Helen McArdle in patient wing, Sir Tom Cowie Day Services and Family support.
Download the Head of Clinical Services Recruitment Pack here: download
Mission, Vision, Values & Strategic Priorities
Our Mission.
To deliver hospice care of the highest standard to our patients and those important to them – now and in the future.
Our Vision
We are part of a community where we treasure lives and everyone is supported to live well and die well.
Our Values
Caring, Aspiring, Responsible, Empowering
Our values are at the heart of every thing we do; anyone who works for or represents the Hospice, in any capacity, is expected to uphold and demonstrate our core values, contribute positively towards achieving our goal and strive to fulfil our mission within our charitable objectives
Download: Mission, Vision, Values & Strategic Priorities
Next step…
Please download and complete this Application Form.
Shortlisting will be carried out by the recruitment panel which has members of the Board of Trustees and the Senior Management Team. We’ll ask for references from shortlisted candidates at a later stage.
Please let us know if you need any reasonable adjustments to apply for this role and if shortlisted, attend for interview.
There will be an opportunity to visit the hospice for an informal tour on 21 October 2025. There is also the option to have an informal discussion with our Chief Executive about the role. To arrange either of these please contact Julie Crisp on jcrisp@willowburnhospice.org.uk. Please submit your application at the earliest opportunity. Please return completed applications to jcrisp@willowburnhospice.org.uk
Closing Date: 4pm on 31 October 2025.
Interviews: Friday 7 November 2025
Please note, we reserve the right to close the application deadline early should we receive a high number of applications.
