Margaretha Hayton
Kuwait
Summary
Strategic Healthcare Executive | Nursing Leader | Patient-Centered Care Advocate
Seasoned healthcare professional with 26 years of leadership experience across private and public sectors. Holds a Master's degree in Nursing and a proven record of driving clinical excellence, enhancing patient outcomes, and optimizing workforce performance. Expertise spans nursing strategy development, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and professional development. Recognized for fostering high-performing interdisciplinary teams and delivering innovative, patient-focused care solutions.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Director of Nursing
Kuwait Hospital
Kuwait
11.2025 - Current
- Collaborated with medical leadership, pharmacy, HR, and operations to optimise clinical workflows.
- Played a pivotal role in key hospital committees, including Quality and Infection Control.
- Managed nursing department budgets and payroll allocations while optimising costs.
- Conducted regular performance assessments to drive continuous improvement in health services.
- Implemented process improvements and cost-saving measures to achieve organisational objectives.
- Developed an efficient roster system that enhanced team management.
- Monitored service delivery to maintain quality standards and ensure compliance with regulations.
Assistant Director of Nursing
Kuwait Hospital
Kuwait
12.2023 - 10.2025
- Oversaw inpatient nursing operations to deliver high-quality patient care.
- Managed staffing, recruitment, and retention strategies for nursing personnel.
- Implemented nursing protocols and standards to ensure compliance and enhance outcomes.
- Led JCIA preparation and authored policies to meet regulatory requirements.
- Facilitated training and professional development initiatives for nursing staff.
- Monitored clinical performance indicators through quality improvement initiatives.
- Participated in budget planning and resource allocation for inpatient services.
- Addressed patient and family concerns to cultivate a positive care environment.
Consultant To Nursing Director
Emirates Health Services
Dubai
10.2019 - 11.2023
- Developed and executed strategic nursing plan for 239-bed acute care hospital.
- Spearheaded patient flow initiatives, enhancing rapid response teams and admission processes.
- Established tissue viability and wound care service, improving patient outcomes.
- Formulated professional development model to enhance staff competencies.
- Contributed to operational planning during COVID crisis, optimizing resource allocation.
- Coordinated multi-disciplinary teams to streamline patient care.
- Instituted shared governance structure and commenced Magnet journey for excellence.
- Held frontline staff accountable for unit-specific clinical KPIs, ensuring quality standards.
- Implemented LEAN-based consumables management system to reduce waste and enhance efficiency.
- Conducted quality audits to ensure compliance with healthcare standards.
Clinical Resource Nurse/Acting Education Manager
SEHA - Tawam Hospital
Al Ain
01.2013 - 11.2019
- Led a team of educators in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care in a 400-bed acute care and oncology hospital.
- Successfully coordinated hospital-wide orientation programmes for new staff members.
- Developed a transition programme for newly graduated nurses entering clinical practice.
- Established evaluation systems for clinical practices among approximately 1,200 nursing staff across all departments.
- Introduced simulation as an educational strategy to enhance nursing staff learning experiences.
- Maintained a comprehensive organisation-wide training and professional development programme.
- Implemented a pain management programme and Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) initiative to improve patient recovery outcomes.
- Chaired Nursing Research Committee and presented research findings at international conferences on pain management and care models.
Charge Nurse
SEHA - Tawam Hospital
Al Ain
10.2006 - 01.2013
- Managed daily operations of surgical inpatient unit with 45 beds, ensuring high safety standards.
- Maintained compliance with regulatory and accreditation requirements through infection control measures.
- Fostered collaborative work environment, promoting teamwork and accountability among staff.
- Cultivated strong relationships with community partners to enhance transitions of care.
- Improved patient care by implementing effective nursing practices.
- Led a team of nurses for better patient management.
Nurse Manager
Life Healthcare Group - Flora Clinic
Johannesburg
01.2004 - 07.2005
- Oversaw management of 35-bedded Surgical unit, demonstrating strong leadership skills.
- Supervised staff and resources to ensure efficient operations.
- Successfully recruited skilled personnel to enhance patient care.
- Monitored staff performance and conducted annual appraisals to maintain high standards.
- Established performance goals and provided feedback to motivate employees.
- Enhanced patient care quality by implementing evidence-based nursing practices.
- Evaluated performance metrics and implemented strategies for improvement.
Nurse Manager
Medicross Health Ltd.
Johannesburg
01.1998 - 12.2001
- Oversaw operations of 7-10 consultation rooms to deliver high-quality patient care.
- Developed strong relationships with stakeholders to enhance collaboration and patient outcomes.
- Managed nursing staff recruitment, training, and performance evaluations for optimal team performance.
- Optimised patient flow and clinic workflows to increase operational efficiency.
- Addressed patient concerns to cultivate a supportive environment.
- Managed inventory to ensure sufficient supplies for uninterrupted operations.
- Assisted doctors during procedures, ensuring optimal patient care.
- Improved patient outcomes, prioritising care according to urgency of patient needs and available resources.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing
University of Stellenbosch
South Africa 01.2018 - 03.2020
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Johannesburg
South Africa 01.1994 - 12.1997
Six Sigma - Black Belt - Healthcare
Lean Results
Ntherlands 05.2015 - 04.2016
Skills
- Leadership and team management
- Effective communication
- Workforce planning and development
- Problem-solving
- Clinical expertise and nursing standards
- Crisis and change management
- Quality improvement strategies
- Data analysis and metrics tracking
- Regulatory compliance
- Stakeholder engagement and strategic planning
- Decision-making skills
- Adept in budgeting
- Ability to delegate
- Clinical supervision
Languages
Afrikaans
Native
English
Fluent
Timeline
Director of Nursing
Kuwait Hospital
11.2025 - Current
Assistant Director of Nursing
Kuwait Hospital
12.2023 - 10.2025
Consultant To Nursing Director
Emirates Health Services
10.2019 - 11.2023
Master of Science - Nursing
University of Stellenbosch
01.2018 - 03.2020
Six Sigma - Black Belt - Healthcare
Lean Results
05.2015 - 04.2016
Clinical Resource Nurse/Acting Education Manager
SEHA - Tawam Hospital
01.2013 - 11.2019
Charge Nurse
SEHA - Tawam Hospital
10.2006 - 01.2013
Nurse Manager
Life Healthcare Group - Flora Clinic
01.2004 - 07.2005
Nurse Manager
Medicross Health Ltd.
01.1998 - 12.2001
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
University of Johannesburg
01.1994 - 12.1997