East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust is looking for a Band 7 lead midwife to run its maternity triage service across Colchester and Ipswich hospitals, with applications closing on 16 November 2026.

The permanent, full-time post, advertised on NHS Jobs on 5 November 2026, pays £49,387 to £56,515 a year. The postholder will be based at Colchester Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester, and will work across both of the Trust's main hospital sites.

Leading the triage service

The lead midwife will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the maternity triage service at both Colchester and Ipswich hospitals, providing visible clinical leadership and professional support to the triage teams and making sure care is safe, effective and responsive.

The role covers clinical standards, patient flow, risk management and quality improvement, as well as developing the service and supporting colleagues to deliver outstanding care. The postholder will lead delivery of maternity triage in line with BSOTS, the Birmingham Symptom-specific Obstetric Triage System, so that assessment, prioritisation and escalation of care are consistent, timely and evidence-based across both sites.

The postholder will also take bleep-holding responsibility on a rotational basis with colleagues, to make sure staffing and safety standards are maintained, and will manage, teach and support junior and newly qualified midwives and healthcare assistants.

Who can apply

Applicants must be a registered midwife, with knowledge of the Nursing and Midwifery Council handbook, code of professional conduct and scope of professional practice, and must have completed a mentorship course and be a current sign-off mentor.

The Trust is looking for an inspirational leader with excellent clinical decision-making, communication and organisational skills, who can drive improvements, support staff development and promote a positive culture. Qualifications in N96, NLS and ALSO are listed as desirable, along with comprehensive knowledge of current practice in midwifery.

The post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

About the Trust

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust says it is one of the largest NHS organisations in the region, employing more than 12,000 staff. It delivers care from Colchester and Ipswich hospitals, six community hospitals, clinics and patients' homes.

The Trust says equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of what it does, and it offers a range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits.

Applications close on 16 November 2026. The vacancy reference is NDD-000196. Applications must be made through the NHS Jobs advert linked below.