Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Lead Upper GI Cancer Nurse Specialist (CNS) to provide expert clinical leadership across the Upper GI cancer pathway. This role is pivotal in delivering high-quality, patient-centred care and in driving service development in line with national cancer priorities.

The post holder will lead and coordinate the Upper GI CNS service, ensuring consistent, evidence-based practice and an excellent experience for patients and families from diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and end-of-life care. Working as a senior autonomous practitioner, the Lead CNS will act as a key clinical resource within the multidisciplinary team (MDT), influencing decision-making and pathway design.

The role combines advanced clinical practice, professional leadership, and service improvement, including responsibility for mentoring and developing CNS colleagues, supporting audit and research activity, and contributing to cancer performance and quality standards.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior cancer nurse to shape and strengthen Upper GI cancer services, improve outcomes and experiences for patients, and play a strategic role within the wider cancer team and organisation.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the UGI team, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement
• Ensure safe, effective, and timely delivery of UGI services, including diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up
• Monitor performance, manage resources, and contribute to service redesign and transformation
• Act as a clinical expert and role model, supporting staff development and patient advocacy
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to enhance service integration and patient outcomes

Working for our organisation

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.