Healthset Head of Communications & Engagement | University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Recruitment is now underway for a Head of Communications and Engagement role within Healthset, our joint programme to deliver a single shared electronic health record (EHR) across Dorset and Somerset, powered by Epic. This once in a generation programme will transform how care is delivered and information is recorded, shared and accessed, enabling colleagues to spend less time working around systems and more time caring.

The contract with Epic was signed in March, and we are expecting the new EHR to go live in April 2028. Successful delivery must be genuinely clinically and operationally led, supported by the expertise of our digital teams.

Our teams deliver safe, compassionate care every day, but we still rely on multiple systems, separate records and paper processes. This can mean patients repeating their story and colleagues spending valuable time duplicating work or managing gaps in information. For our digital teams, this means managing multiple systems and data sources to support users to deliver services. Healthset is our shared response. By introducing one EHR across our organisations, we will support more joined up working, safer decision-making and better use of information, freeing up more time for care.

We want you!

At its peak the Healthset team will include over three hundred people and Healthset is a ten-year programme. Roles required only during the initial two-year implementation phase will be filled through secondments, fixed term contracts or external contractors. All other roles will be permanent posts. We are committed to equitable access to these opportunities and will consider part‑time working and reasonable adjustments where required.

The HealthSet Head of Communications and Engagement will have an integral role in the success of the Healthset EHR Programme, developing and implementing a comprehensive Communications and Engagement strategy to support the Healthset Programme. The Head of Communications and Engagement will work closely with Communications Teams and the Healthset Programme Leadership Team providing expert advice and solutions for all Communications and Engagement activities required to support the delivery of this transformational programme.

Healthset is our shared response. By introducing one EHR across our organisations, we will support more joined‑up working, safer decision-making and better use of information, freeing up more time for care.

This ambitious programme will fundamentally change how health and care is delivered across Dorset and Somerset in a way that is clinically and financially sustainable. We will be guided by doing the right thing for our patients, carers, people and communities, while creating a working environment that better supports our colleagues.

For further information about the role, please refer to the attached job description and person specification.

You will be a good fit if you

• Have significant experience of developing and implementing Communications and Engagement strategies
• Have significantknowledge of the variety of Communications and Engagement techniques requiredto deliver transformational change.
• Be an exert Communications and Engagement professional with credibility in your area.
• Can write and develop inspiring Communications and Engagement materials to support multiple organisations through this significant period of change
• Enjoy working collaboratively across teams and organisations.
• Want to help shape how care is delivered in the future.

If interested in these roles then please submit your application via Trac as soon as possible.

A supported process

We are encouraging interested individuals to apply as soon as possible, with the closing date for applications 11.59pm on Tuesday 2nd June 2026.

Please note, the volume of applications received will be reviewed periodically throughout and we may decide to close the vacancy early should a sufficient number of applications be received. Therefore, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about the roles and/or the process, please email uhd.ehrrecruitment@nhs.net.

We look forward to receiving your application.

This advert closes on Tuesday 2 Jun 2026

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