Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Location: Gateshead, Tyne and Wear
Remuneration: £13,715 per annum
Time Commitment: Approximately 4–5 days per month
Term: 3 years, commencing 1st February 2027

The opportunity

Castle Peak Group is supporting Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust with the appointment of a Clinical Non-Executive Director to join its Board at an important stage in the organisation’s development.

This is an opportunity for an experienced clinical leader with established Non-Executive Director experience to contribute to the strategic direction, governance and continued improvement of a major NHS Foundation Trust serving communities across Gateshead and the wider North East.

The Trust is seeking an individual who combines significant senior clinical leadership experience with sound independent judgement, strong governance expertise and a commitment to delivering safe, compassionate and high quality healthcare.

The successful candidate will bring an informed clinical perspective to Board discussions, providing constructive challenge, strategic insight and assurance as the Trust continues to develop its services and respond to the changing needs of patients, communities and the wider healthcare system.

About Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust provides a broad range of acute, community and older people’s mental health services, alongside screening, diagnostic and regional laboratory services.

Its principal facilities include the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Bensham Hospital, Metrocentre Community Diagnostic Centre and Blaydon Primary Care Centre, supported by community services across Gateshead.

The Trust is an ambitious, values led organisation with a clear five year strategy and a commitment to improving patient outcomes, strengthening services and reducing health inequalities.

With nationally recognised maternity care, award winning clinical services and significant investment in women’s and children’s facilities, the Trust has strong foundations upon which to build.

Its strategic priorities include:

• Developing its ambition to become a centre of excellence for women’s health.
• Advancing diagnostics, clinical innovation and research led improvement.
• Supporting the transition towards neighbourhood care and services closer to home.
• Strengthening quality, patient safety and clinical governance.
• Delivering sustainable services while maintaining financial and operational resilience.
• Promoting a compassionate, inclusive and positive organisational culture.
• Working collaboratively with healthcare partners to improve outcomes across the region.

The Trust is also a key member of the Great North Healthcare Alliance, alongside Newcastle Hospitals, Northumbria Healthcare and North Cumbria Integrated Care, creating opportunities for greater collaboration and system wide improvement.

The role

As a Clinical Non-Executive Director, you will join the Chair, fellow Non-Executive Directors and Executive Directors as a full member of the Trust’s unitary Board.

You will share collective responsibility for the organisation’s strategic direction, performance, governance and long term sustainability.

Drawing upon your clinical background and senior leadership experience, you will provide independent oversight and constructive challenge, ensuring that clinical quality, patient safety and patient experience remain central to Board decision making.

Key responsibilities

• Contributing to the development and delivery of the Trust’s strategic priorities and long term ambitions.
• Providing independent clinical insight and constructive challenge on quality, safety, patient outcomes and service improvement.
• Seeking assurance that the Trust maintains high standards of clinical governance, operational performance and financial stewardship.
• Supporting the Board in identifying, understanding and managing significant organisational and clinical risks.
• Holding the Executive leadership team to account for delivery against agreed objectives and performance standards.
• Championing compassionate leadership, workforce wellbeing, equality and inclusion.
• Ensuring that the experiences and needs of patients, staff and communities inform strategic decisions.
• Supporting collaboration across the wider health and care system.
• Contributing to Board committees and, potentially, taking on a committee chairing responsibility, such as the Quality Governance Committee.

The appointment requires an individual capable of balancing strategic ambition with appropriate scrutiny, ensuring that the Trust continues to deliver high quality services within a complex and evolving NHS environment.

About you

We are seeking an accomplished clinical leader who can bring credibility, independence and a broad strategic perspective to the Board.

Essential experience and attributes

• A recognised clinical qualification and significant senior clinical leadership experience gained within a complex organisation.
• Previous experience serving as a Non-Executive Director.
• A strong understanding of corporate governance, Board accountability and the responsibilities of Non-Executive Directors.
• The ability to interpret complex information, exercise independent judgement and provide constructive challenge at Board level.
• A demonstrable commitment to high quality, safe, compassionate and continuously improving healthcare.
• Strong strategic thinking and the ability to contribute to the direction of a large and complex organisation.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to engage effectively with senior leaders and stakeholders.
• A clear commitment to NHS values, public service and the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable experience

The Trust would particularly welcome applications from individuals with clinical qualifications and leadership experience in:

• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Allied Health Professions

However, applications from individuals with other recognised clinical qualifications are equally welcomed.

An understanding of the relationship between clinical quality, operational performance and financial sustainability within an NHS provider would be advantageous.

Previous experience chairing Board committees would also be beneficial, although this is not essential.

Why consider this appointment?

This appointment offers an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to healthcare delivery and improvement across Gateshead and the wider North East.

You will join a Board committed to clinical excellence, compassionate leadership and sustainable improvement, working with colleagues who share a strong commitment to patients, staff and the communities they serve.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence significant strategic developments, including investment in women’s and children’s services, the expansion of diagnostic capabilities, the development of neighbourhood care and greater collaboration across the regional healthcare system.

For an experienced clinical leader with a strong track record of Board level contribution, this represents an opportunity to apply their expertise where it can have a lasting impact.

Eligibility and inclusion

Candidates must reside within the North East or North Cumbria, within the geographical boundaries of the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System.

Applicants must also meet the Trust’s public constituency membership requirements.

Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to building a diverse and inclusive Board that reflects the communities it serves.

Applications are welcomed from people of all backgrounds, with particular encouragement for individuals from groups currently under-represented on NHS Boards, including people from the Global Ethnic Majority, disabled people and those with lived experience of health inequalities.

How to apply

Castle Peak Group has been appointed as the executive search partner for this recruitment.

To apply, please submit:

1. An up-to-date CV outlining your career history, relevant leadership experience and Non-Executive Director appointments.
2. A covering letter explaining your suitability for the role, key leadership achievements and motivation for joining Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Closing Date: Wednesday 18th November 2026
Expected Interviews: Wednesday 2nd December 2026

Please apply by CV and covering letter to James Carss, CEO, Castle Peak Group at james.carss@castlepeak-group.com

For an informal and confidential discussion about the appointment, please contact James Carss at Castle Peak Group.

Download the Candidate Pack here >