Discharge Lead Nurse for Surgery | St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The post-holder will provide a high-quality service to all surgical patients within St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The Discharge Lead Nurse for Surgery will work as an integral part of the MDT and will be a key role at a senior level within the Surgical Directorate by maximizing patient flow through the surgical service.

Lead on the coordination of discharges within the division to ensure maximum utilization of Trust resources and to ensure a good patient experience

Identify barriers to optimal patient journeys and flow, acting in partnership with senior colleagues to resolve issues and make effective use of surgical bed stock, ensuring that national and local targets are achieved.

Be responsible for the leadership and line management of discharge support workers within the Surgical Directorate.

Develop strong working relationships with colleagues in bed management, site management, service and general management, matrons, ward managers and SNCT senior divisional team.

Ensure policies pertaining to the safe discharge and repatriation of patients are upheld.

Support the identification, monitoring and timely resolution of issues relating to repatriations and complex discharges, with a focus upon case management for patients with complex health and social needs.

Participate in the identification of service improvements and the initiation of future developments – including the identification and audit of productivity and efficiency targets and indicators

In addition, the Discharge Lead Nurse for Surgery will be expected to participate in the strategic development of the

Surgical divisions service by

· being recognised as an expert in their clinical field

· holding specialist knowledge and experience

· providing leadership in clinical practice for the professional team and peers

· ensuring an effective learning environment for students and peers

· working as a competent, autonomous practitioner / specialist

· actively disseminating best practice through teaching, and presentations and by participating in nursing / allied health professional research.

St George’s, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey. Our sites include St George’s Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).

After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.

At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.

Please see full job description and person specification attached and can contact matron for further information.

This advert closes on Tuesday 26 May 2026

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