G211 Impact of a Leadership Programme on Front Line Quality Improvement

Background Doctors in postgraduate training rarely have the opportunity to develop skills to implement changes where they work 1 . By empowering them to make improvements to the systems that they see, there is the potential to make significant improvement in the quality of patient care that they deliver 2 . We describe a leadership programme designed to provide experiential learning on safety and quality projects to develop not only knowledge of quality improvement but improve leadership and management skills through engagement of frontline staff. Aim To engage and empower a trainee doctor in Quality improvement projects and provide supervised opportunity to develop skills as a Healthcare leader in Quality improvement to improve quality of patient care. Method The programme consists of a structured introduction to quality improvement theory and practice supported by an experienced quality Director. Phased exposure to quality improvement projects commencing form data collection to analysis to presentation is provided. Oppurtunties to participate in trust wide steering groups, shape strategy, influence front line care delivery and attend board level meetings to work with senior healthcare leaders is provided. Results Major involvment in a major trust wide quality improvement programme to improve response to deterioating patients which has resulted in early but significant statistical improvement in performance of nursing staff. Key project to overhaul the tissue viablity pathway has been undertaken with plans to roll out changes trust wide. Project to address key mortality indicators around chest infection launched. Undertaking structured case note review to understand key mortality reasons for the trust. Conclusion The programme has provided continuous learning on patient safety and quality improvement projects. It has provided also an understanding of the importance of engaging key stakeholders, overcoming resistance and undertaking successful change management. Such programmes are key to developing future healthcare leaders and should be supported going forward. References Developing future clinical leaders for quality improvement: experience from a London children’s hospital. Jane Runnacles,Beki Moult,Peter Lachman ‘Wading through treacle’: quality improvement lessons from the frontline Alice Roueche1, 2, Jocelyn Hewitt 3