LAUSR

Aim Our aim is to equip those working with young people across healthcare in the region with skills and habits of an improver, enhance local services, and become role models for Quality Improvement (QI). This is a priority as staff report frustration at the lack of sustainable improvement in their workplaces and poor knowledge of QI methodology. Methods Following a pilot in 2017 of regional evening seminars it was clear many attending lacked understanding of QI (35% stating they had never seen the QI Model for Improvement). Post-pilot feedback was positive (83% felt empowered that they can make changes within their workplace, 80% had already taught someone else something about QI). As a result of feedback, in 2018 we delivered a 16 week blended learning course to 23 participants (18 trainees, 1 pharmacist, 1 consultant and 3 patient and carer learners), taking them through the Model for Improvement, measurement, human factors and presentation. A bespoke online social learning platform was developed. Participants worked through content with the support of a mentor, while carrying out QI projects in their workplace. Interactive modules, resources, online forums and webinars were complemented by 2 full-day face-to-face workshops highlighting key learning and support networking. Results At the start, 50% of participants stated it was the first time they had seen the Model of Improvement and only 1 in 5 had used it and felt confident. At the second workshop everyone had seen the Model and 50% had used it and felt confident. All participants who started the programme were awarded certificates of completion, 8 were recognised as Change Champions (showing highly improved knowledge and completion of a project to presentation stage), one of the attendees has been identified as a mentor-in-training for the next cohort. Further data is expected by end of October 2018 on sustainable practice. Conclusions Already this programme has gone some way to support the professional development of emerging leaders within QI. We have been granted another year of funding aiming to develop a sustainable faculty. Staff engagement in an ever-stretched service is a challenge we hope to address in the next cohort.