Deputy Head of Information Governance (Primary Care)

A key aspect of this role will be leading and developing our growing Data Protection Officer as a Service (DPOaaS) offering to GP Practices and Primary Care Networks (PCNs). You will act as a trusted advisor to primary care organisations, providing expert guidance on data protection, confidentiality, information sharing, records management, and compliance with UK GDPR and NHS information governance requirements.

Working closely with senior leaders, clinicians, practice managers, digital teams, and external partners, you will help drive compliance, support digital innovation, and ensure information is used safely, securely, and effectively across health and care services.

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a varied and influential role, helping to shape the future of Information Governance within an organisation committed to digital excellence, continuous improvement, and high-quality patient care.

The Deputy Head of Information Governance will be a senior member of the Information Governance (IG) Team and will lead the operational, day-to-day management of the following areas of IG, so they operationally support the clinical and business objectives of the Trust and other partner organisations it provides services to (eg General Practices [GPs]).

Data Protection

Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Regulations

Information Risk Management

Information Sharing and Confidentiality (Caldicott Principles)

The post-holder will possess a high standard of interpersonal, influencing and communication skills, have excellent technical skills and a strong desire to improve the quality of IG within the Trust and partner organisations. They will be experienced in writing reports on complex IG issues and in dealing with external stakeholders such as the Information Commissioners Office (ICO).

Please see the job description for further details.

Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.

We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.

At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.

Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.

Qualifications

Essential: - Educated to degree level within a relevant discipline or equivalent experience; - Evidence of Continuous Professional Development

Desirable: - Recognised professional qualification (eg ISEB) or equivalent experience; - PRINCE2

Knowledge/Experience

Skills