National Head of Infection and Prevention Control

National Head of Infection Control

HCA Healthcare UK

Base: London + national travel (Birmingham and Manchester)

Reporting to: Chief Nurse Executive

We have an exciting and unique opportunity for a National Head of Infection Prevention and Control to shape the strategic direction of IPC across our national network of world‑class healthcare facilities.

This role plays a vital role in safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our patients and colleagues, while championing excellence in infection prevention across HCA Healthcare’s network of hospitals across London, Birmingham and Manchester. Your expertise will help us continually raise standards, embrace cutting‑edge approaches, and deliver care environments where safety, quality, and compassion are unwavering priorities.

About HCA Healthcare UK:

HCA Healthcare UK is one of the UK’s leading private healthcare providers, delivering exceptional specialist care across a world‑class network of hospitals, outpatient centres, and urgent care facilities in London, Birmingham and Manchester.

We provides comprehensive support ranging from primary care and diagnostics to complex surgery, life‑saving treatments, and cutting‑edge clinical research. Our network includes over 3,000 leading consultants working at the forefront of global clinical excellence.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Drive a culture of excellence—leading, inspiring and developing IPC teams across the UK.

• Set and deliver HCA's national IPC strategy in alignment with regulatory, global and local priorities.

• Oversee the continuous development of IPC policy and practice, ensuring evidence-led decision making.

• Lead organisation wide education and training to embed a culture of continuous learning.

• Advance surveillance, reporting and data-driven performance to improve clinical and operational outcomes.

• Be the expert voice and escalation point for clinical, environmental and infection-related risks.

• Strengthen HCA UK’s reputation as a leading provider of safe, high quality care—internally and across the wider healthcare landscape.

• Collaborate with key external partners, including PHIN, IHPN and UKHSA, while acting as the key link between UK and US IPC teams.

• Chair and shape quarterly Corporate IPC Committee outputs.

• Provide assurance on decontamination, water, ventilation and wider clinical governance elements.

• Influence cross-functional senior teams across governance, IT, estates, pharmacy, catering and facilities management.

Skills and experience

• Registered Nurse (NMC) with specialist infection control qualification.

• Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in infection control.

• Significant experience across acute clinical environments such as ICU, oncology or neurorehabilitation.

•   Deep understanding of clinical governance, risk, audit and national IPC standards.

• Expertise in national mandatory surveillance systems and analysis.

• Proven leadership experience with the ability to influence at all levels.