Resources

Care and service improvement requires the ability to make successful local change, then to transfer this for implementation in other departments and services, or across a whole organisation or sector. However, research shows that highly institutionalised and complex healthcare systems find the spread of transformation difficult, being naturally slow to adapt, innovate, and improve. Change therefore usually happens incrementally and inconsistently, with successful innovation resembling a journey rather than a single event. This is characterised by processes of adoption, implementation, sustaining, spreading, and scaling up.

This document provides a useful explanation of clinical quality registries (CQRs). Although targeted at consumers, it will also be helpful for providers seeking clarity on the origin and use of CQRs in their clinical improvement program.

The East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) has dived deeply into partnering with consumers for service improvement. ELFT provides mental health and community services to a diverse population in over 100 community and inpatient sites.  

There are many documented benefits of accreditation. These include driving the establishment of organisational structures and processes, promotion of a quality and safety culture, and improvement in care.  Organisational benefits in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and integration of health services, innovation, support for evidence-based decision-making, and increased stakeholder engagement, have also been discussed in the literature. 

Do you need some ideas for the next time you're facilitating a workshop or team event?

Managing change remains the most important challenge that leaders grapple with today. By our nature, we resist change and lean towards sustaining the status quo.

Change is scary — and challenging. Maintaining an existing habit is easier than changing it and trying something new means there is a possibility of failure. Most people prefer to stay in their comfort zone than venture into unknown territory however change is where we grow and improve our organisations. So if change is inevitable, how do we deal with it when it happens?

Systems can be complex and change can be difficult. So how can you make it possible?

An introduction into systems thinking and complexity in health.

Systems thinking is a way to maximise program/organisational effectiveness.