Newsletter - Issue 1
DEAR COLLEAGUE
Welcome to the first issue of your newsletter dedicated to bringing you all the latest information about our new Emergency Care Transformation Programme.
The overarching aim of the threeyear improvement programme, which is part of our Getting to Good journey, is to make our
Emergency Departments a safe, great place to work for everyone.
The aim of the newsletter is to keep you updated on what we are trying to achieve, with your help, and the progress we are making.
It is really important that we are all on this shared journey together.
I would really welcome your feedback on the programme –what is working well and what we can improve – and also what you would like to see in this newsletter.
Thank you for all your support.
Sara Biffen, Executive Sponsor
CLINICAL QUALITY, OUTCOMES & CO-ORDINATION OF CARE
Our aims
• To improve and protect patient safety in ED
• To ensure our patients receive the best quality care
Our progress
• Review of initial assessment process with plan to improve
• Full time CYPU Lead nurse to support improvements to paediatric ED
• Highlighting of time critical medications on whiteboard
Next steps
• Pilot of Fit to Sit Job Request sheet to support Initial Assessment
• Work to boost numbers of colleagues trained in End of Life Care
Our aims
• To ensure that our colleagues feel listened to and supported
• To develop and empower our team to fulfil their full potential
• To ensure that our team feel respected and valued
Our progress
• Rosters now reviewed pre-approval to ensure fair allocation of shifts
• Culture-related training given increased priority
• Staff away days being planned
Next steps
• Delivery of debrief training to enable support following an adverse event on shift
• Standards of behaviour to be republished
GOVERNANCE AND RISK
Our aims
• To underpin care delivered in ED by robust clinical governance
• To ensure risk management processes are effective
Our progress
• Weekly safety huddles in place
• Report completed detailing SI themes which informs the ECTP overall work
• Datix backlog reduced
Next steps
• Identifying where training is required on risk register maintenance
• Maintenance plan for Datix closures
STAFF CULTURE, RESILIENCE AND HEALTH &WELLBEING OUR WORKSTREAMS
Improving the experience of our patients when they first attend our Emergency Departments is a key priority on our improvement journey.
It is vital that a robust initial assessment takes place during those crucial first steps in the patient journey for both adults and children. This means they can be
directed to the services that best fits their needs, and that the most poorly patients are identified and treatment is started as soon as possible, for example pain relief.
We have recently rolled out a new process for initial assessment (triage within 15 minutes) which involves carrying out any additional
diagnostics for our patients separately, enabling the next patient to be assessed quicker.
This is already starting to make a difference and we are seeing a reduction in the time patients are waiting for initial assessment. Thank you to colleagues who are supporting this new process.
The Emergency Care Transformation Programme is a huge opportunity for us to work together to create a fantastic place to work and to be cared for – for everyone.
COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGING WITH COMMUNITIES
ENVIRONMENT, PATHWAYS AND FLOW
Our aims
• To ensure that our team is kept well informed on departmental news and events
• To provide opportunities for colleagues to feed back on the service we provide and the workplace
Our progress
• Launch of Improvewell app
• Departmental newsletter launch
• Brand developed for ECTP and ED
Next steps
• Further promotion of Improvewell
• Continued roll out of ED news
Our aims
• To support appropriate pathways for patients who do not require emergency care
• To ensure the ED environment is safe and effective for patient care
Our progress
• Patient feedback on waiting areas reviewed
• NHS111 online booking tool reinstated
• Review into high service users conducted
Next steps
• Actions from patient feedback to be completed
• Review of comfort rounds out of hours
• Review of IPC compliance
Over the next three years, and through five working groups, we will be delivering a series of improvements, some small and some that are more complex. We hope that each one will make our workplace somewhere where we are proud to belong, as well as help us to provide high quality compassionate care for all our patients and their families.
Each of the workstreams (opposite) are dedicated to different areas for improvement. The aim is to ensure we are supporting all colleagues to deliver the high quality care they strive to provide with the skills they need to deliver that care. We also want to ensure that our place of work is an enjoyable and safe environment where we all value and respect each other and that we are all continuously learning, not just when things go wrong and when they go right too.
This improvement work is not a tick box exercise. We are truly committed to making and embedding change for the better – and supporting you. Let’s go on this journey together, support and listen to each other so we can get to where we all want to be.
Dr Saskia Jones-Perrott, Divisional Medical Director for Medicine and Emergency Care
Laura Graham, Divisional Director of Operations
Donna Hadley, Divisional Director of Nursing
