Quality improvement (QI)
NCAP Quality Improvement Programme 2026: Driving Better Data QualityNCAP is excited to announce the launch of its third Quality Improvement (QI) programme, following two successful rounds. Over the coming weeks, we will showcase examples of the outstanding work achieved by previous teams in partnership with our QI coaches.
For 2026, the QI programme will focus on improving data quality to ensure services have accurate and complete information to deliver better care and treatment for people with psychosis. This emphasis supports NCAP’s transition from bespoke data collection to the use of national routine datasets, reducing burden on services and enabling more frequent reporting.
NCAP has identified gaps and inconsistencies in data that limit benchmarking against audit standards and hinder improvement efforts. By prioritising data quality, we aim to:
- enable teams to act on data and deliver targeted interventions where they will have the greatest impact
- reduce clinical risk and optimise resource allocation through better visibility of performance and needs
- improve care and treatment for people with psychosis by embedding evidence-based decision-making into practice.
Programme structure
NCAP will offer two free options for teams in 2026:
Enhanced QI programme
- Four teams selected via application
- 10-month duration
- Tailored support, including one-to-one coaching with QI experts
- QI Kickstart – An interactive in-person training session introducing core QI principles and practical tools, including how to use data and run charts to measure progress and drive sustainable change.
Core QI programme
- Open to all EIP and CYP teams
- Bite-sized online modules introducing essential QI principles and practical tools—such as tracking progress and using data to drive lasting change.
- Monthly drop-in coaching calls for tailored support and idea sharing.
- Online shared learning workshops where Enhanced teams showcase their projects and success stories.
- Access to online QI resources via a dedicated webpage.
Key dates
- January 2026 – Registration opens for Enhanced teams to apply (Core programme does not require registration).
- February 2026 – Enhanced teams selected.
- April 2026 – In-person QI Kickstart training day for Enhanced teams at the RCPsych London office.
- Shared learning sessions – Minimum of two sessions (dates TBC) open to all teams.
Registration for the Enhanced QI programme is now open!
Registration for the NCAP Enhance QI programme is now open. Please complete the registration form found below (in either Word of PDF format) and return it to NCAPQI@rcpsych.ac.uk by 5pm, Tuesday 10 February 2026.
Participation is free of charge, and selected teams will receive dedicated QI coaching and support throughout the 10-month programme.
Please contact NCAPQI@rcpsych.ac.uk should you have any queries.
NCAP Enhanced QI programme registration form - Word
The second round of QI collaborative was successfully completed in July 2025. It involved four virtual shared learning sessions which were open to all NCAP participating teams and aimed at sharing improvement ideas that can benefit all NCAP teams nationally. Please see the slides from all four shared learning sessions below:
- NCAP QI Second Round - First shared learning session slides
- NCAP QI Second Round - Second shared learning session slides
- NCAP QI Second Round - Third shared learning session slides
- NCAP QI Second Round: Fourth shared learning session slides
To conclude the second round of QI collaborative, a final shared learning session was held on 19th July 2025, where four QI teams summarised their projects over the past year. Below is the video recording of the online session:
The first round of QI collaborative was successfully completed in February 2024. It involved three shared virtual learning sessions which were open to all NCAP participating teams and aimed at sharing improvement ideas that can benefit all NCAP teams nationally.
To conclude the first round of QI collaborative, a final shared learning session was held on 22 February 2024, where twelve QI teams summarised their projects over the past year. Below are the slides used in teams' presentations, and a video recording of the online session:
The following is a recording of the first shared virtual learning session held on 11 July 2023.
Resources
The following is the presentation slides used in the QI Training Day (Round Two) held on 23rd May 2024.
The following is a workbook template for the enhanced programme of NCAP QI collaborative.
The Lester Positive Cardiometabolic Health Resource (Lester tool) provides practitioners with a simple assessment and intervention framework to protect the cardiovascular and metabolic health of patients with severe mental illness receiving antipsychotic medication.
Adapted for UK use from an original Australian resource, in a process led by the late Professor Helen Lester, this resource has been produced through collaboration between the Royal Colleges of General Practitioners and of Psychiatrists.
The Lester resource was recently updated with NHS England and Public Health England and is being used in the current NHS mental health Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN).
Download a PDF of the Positive Cardiometabolic Health Resource
For teams that have scheduled NCAP QI Core Programme drop-in calls, please fill in the pre-call proforma below and send to ncapqi@rcpsych.ac.uk at least one week before the scheduled call. Failure to submit a proforma may lead to your call being cancelled or rescheduled.
Webinars
These QI webinars are designed for EIP services, QI and governance personnel, EIP team clinicians and other interested staff.
Following the publication of the report for the 2020/21 EIP audit, two QI webinars were organised for England (29 July 2021) and Wales (16 September 2021) respectively. These webinars focused on service experiences in the recording and use of outcome measures, and the challenges of improving take up and reducing refusal rates of interventions.
The following is a recording of the webinar for English teams held on 29 July 2021.
The focus of these webinars was on 'outcome measurement' from the EIP audit, what we are measuring and why, and how data can be used to review and improve EIP team quality and individual care. Webinars were led by NCAP EIP Clinical Advisors Dr Paul French and Professor Jo Smith, EYE-2 Chief Investigator Professor Kathryn Greenwood, and QI expert Maureen McGeorge.
If you would like to know more about the presenters, please refer to their biographies.
This is a compilation from our five regional quality improvement webinars.
Webinar #1 is introduced by Dr Paul French and features presentations by Professor Kathryn Greenwood and Maureen McGeorge.
Webinar #2 features a presentation by Dr Paul French on the NCAP National report outcomes data, a Q&A and an interactive discussion session hosted by Dr Paul French, Maureen McGeorge and Professor Jo Smith.