What is the Quality Improvement Support Service?
The Quality Improvement Support Service (QISS) is a new service
within the Royal College of Psychiatrists’Centre for Quality
Improvement. The developmental work for QISS was carried out under
funding from the Health Foundation’s ‘Closing the Gap through
Clinical Communities’ programme (www.health.org.uk). Over a two-year
period, we tested and refined methods of supporting individuals and
teams to apply the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s ‘Model
for Improvement’ to defined areas of clinical practice in ways that
ensure sustainability. The methods are practical to use, highly
effective and can produce quick and substantial results.
More information on Closing the
Gap.
Please click the links below for more information:
What the Quality Improvement Support Service offers
Our two stage programme will teach individual clinicians
and managers to lead improvement work in targeted areas of
clinical practice.
Stage 1: the acquisition of basic improvement
knowledge and skills. Participants are guided through a simple
six-week improvement project which brings them together with fellow
trainees for two learning events at the beginning and end of stage
1. In between, they have weekly contact with the course leader. By
the end of stage 1, they will have developed basic skills in
applying the Model for Improvement.
Stage 2: supported management of an improvement
project. The second stage takes between 12-16 weeks and
participants are supported to apply the Model for Improvement to a
specific area of clinical practice within their service. They will
lead their local team through a bespoke improvement project on a
topic of their choice and will receive 1:1 support from the course
leader throughout this period, including her attendance at two
on-site learning events, plus regular on–going contact. By the end
of stage 2, participants will be able to confidently lead on-going
improvement work with their team.
Benefits of participation
Improvement methods: stage 1 provides trainees
with a robust grounding in improvement methods to prepare them to
lead their local improvement programme.
Direct application: stage 2
provides trainees with 1:1 support to develop skills and confidence
in
applying quality improvement methods to their
local area for improvement.
Sustainability: once trained,
participants will be equipped to lead on local clinical
improvement
programmes.
Cost effectiveness: the
programme offers a cost effective way of supporting professional
development in quality improvement.
Broad application: the
programme will support and enhance the work already being done
through quality improvement initiatives, peer-review and
accreditation programmes by developing the skills to carry forward
service.
Who is it aimed at?
Clinicians and managers who want to work with
QISS on this exciting new training programme should have:
- an identified area of clinical practice that
they would like to improve;
- the support of their local project team to
work with them during stage 2;
- the authority to test changes;
- the active support of their managers to
undertake the training.
Our work to date has helped us identify some
key attributes and skills of successful improvement leaders:
- strong project management skills;
- dedicated time to take the work forward;
- respected by colleagues;
- excellent communication skills.
What does it cost?
The six-month training programme typically
costs £6,000 (+VAT) and includes:
- a highly structured programme of support from
the course leader around a chosen area for improvement;
- attendance at two learning events;
- two one-day on-site workshops.
Who do I contact?
If you would like more information on the
project, please contact Maureen McGeorge on mmcgeorge@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk or
download our recent leaflet.
Alternatively, please complete this expression of interest and
e-mail it through to mmcgeorge@cru.rcpsych.ac.uk.
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