Deputy Head of Healthcare

We have an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Head of Healthcare to join the team at HMP Lancaster Farms, a Category C male prison located on the outskirts of Lancaster, with a capacity of around 550. You will be joining a well‑staffed and fully integrated healthcare team managing around 45 staff across Primary Care, Mental Health and Substance Misuse.

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This role reports to the Head of Healthcare and oversees all healthcare services – primary care, mental health and substance misuse. The successful candidate will work alongside the Head of Healthcare, delivering high‑quality care to inmates and staff.

As our new Deputy Head of Healthcare, your responsibilities will include:

• Work closely with the Head of Healthcare and senior team to deliver the best service possible to patients
• Support all pathways that we offer – mental health, primary care and substance misuse
• Deputise for the Head of Healthcare when necessary
• Have responsibility for the operational management of the service
• Continuously review and assess the service being delivered
• Review and improve standards and processes
• Support the Head of Healthcare in delivering agreed contractual requirements and targets from NHS England and drive their strategic vision for the service
• Ensure effective day‑to‑day operational management of all clinical services across the site
• Ensure agreed standards are achieved by leading, developing and motivating your team, ensuring they receive appropriate managerial supervision and performance appraisal

• Bespoke induction, including our Introducing Health in Justice training course
• Competency framework and learning management system to address your learning needs
• Regional and national career development opportunities
• Support from the wider team
• 24/7 employee assistance helpline and financial assistance when you need it
• Discounts on shopping and leisure activities

Hours
:
Shifts Monday‑Friday, 09:00‑17:00. Working 37.5 hours per week.

Salary
: £48,526 – £53,754 per annum, depending on experience (full‑time).

Applicants should hold a valid professional registration (e.g., NMC) and preferably have experience in a prison or secure setting.

Key competencies include:

• Strong leadership and multi‑disciplinary team experience
• Ability to influence and deliver information to key partners and stakeholders
• Experience with budget management
• Proactive approach with an appetite for change

Legal right to work in the UK required. Offers of employment will be subject to additional vetting and security checks.

The Health in Justice team at Practice Plus Group provides NHS services to over 40,000 patients in secure environments across 53 prisons, young offenders and immigration removal centres. We stand by our core values: treat patients and each other with respect, act with integrity, embrace diversity and strive to do things better together.

Employer name: Practice Plus Group

Address:

HMP Lancaster Farms

Stone Row Head

Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 3QZ

Website:

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) is required to check for any previous convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.