Deputy Head of Therapies & Dietetics

Go back Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 13 January 2026

Band: 8B, £64,455 to £74,896 Per annum, pro rata if part time

Hours:
Full time, 37.5 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

This is a new role within The Therapy & Dietetic Department at Milton Keynes University Hospital. We are seeking applications from leaders with experience of delivering multi-disciplinary services across inpatient, outpatient and community settings. This role will work closely with the Head of Therapies & Dietetics, as well as specific service leads to drive forward innovation and improved patient pathways.

Experience in setting strategic direction and operational capability is essential. Demonstrable skills in performance management, finance, quality improvement and using data to drive forward service changes are vitally important.

Applications are welcomed from applicants with relevant post‑graduate education and a detailed knowledge of local and systemwide NHS priorities. You will need to be an excellent communicator who can champion and inspire colleagues about the vision of the department.

This role will be required to be part of the Trust on‑call rota.

Interview: w/c 05 February 2026

This is a role which has both operational and strategic responsibility. It is a deputy role to the Head of Therapy & Dietetics. There is a requirement to look at service development, opportunities and Quality Improvement (QI) to help improve the profile of Therapy services as well as deliver safe and effective care to our patients. The post holder will champion Therapy & Dietetic services across the organisation (which include Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Nutrition & Dietetics, Speech & Language Therapy and Orthotics).

The role will support the Head of Therapies in achieving their strategic, financial and operational objectives and have responsibility for operationally managing therapists providing services to the divisions of planned and unplanned care. This role will also hold a clinical caseload within their own speciality.

NHS Staff Survey: 75.8% of Allied Health Professionals feel enthusiastic about their job roles.

Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting‑edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.

As a medium sized hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.

In January 2025 we opened our state‑of‑the‑art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.

Provide support to the Head of Therapies as required, in their absence or as a delegated function. To operationally manage Therapy services, including Dietetics, Speech and Language Therapy, Children's and Orthotics. This role will provide support to the Head of Therapy and Dietetics in transacting business. For this post, this includes:
Physiotherapy (adult and paediatric, acute and community services) Occupational Therapy (inpatient and outpatient services) Speech and Language Therapy Dietetics (acute and community) Orthotics

Please refer to attached Job description for further information.

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and…