About the programme

This autumn, the South West Academic Health Science Network (SW AHSN) will deliver Silver Quality Improvement (QI) & Culture training to healthcare teams with an early-stage idea or a project which is ready to spread. See the PDF here and apply here. Special consideration will be given to applications of teams involving Midwives, Neonatal Nurses, Obstetricians and Neonatologists working across Perinatal workstreams.

The Silver QI & Culture programme aims to:

• Increase skills, confidence and understanding of:
  • The theory and practical tools underpinning QI
  • Team culture, ways of working and how this contributes to successful QI work
• Support QI teams to:
  • Apply the skills, confidence and understanding of this learning to real world improvement projects
  • Understand how to successfully embed and sustain the learning from of QI projects longer term

What you will learn

The Silver QI & Culture programme is based on the Seven Steps to Quality Improvement, developed by NHS Improvement to complement Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) cycles and the Model for Improvement by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.

Over three modules, which follow the Seven Steps, you will be supported to progress your project using established QI methodology and a focus on establishing a continuous learning and improvement culture.

MODULE 1 – WHY?

Why do we want to do QI and culture work? What is going on in the current system? Why do we want to improve?

MODULE 2 – WHAT?

What do we need to do to get started with a QI project?

MODULE 3 – HOW?

How do we know we are making an improvement? How do we embed this?

How it will work

The programme will run online via Microsoft Teams from 3 November 2021.

Training will combine formal sessions alongside self-directed activities, to provide a range of delivery approaches to support different learning styles and preferences.

Formal sessions will comprise live online training with interactive group work, presentations and coaching, focusing on the local system and context. It is important that you are available to attend all sessions, as well as the technical on- boarding session to be held online on 20 October 9.30am – 11am. Support will be given to ensure all project teams can access course materials and use MS Teams effectively prior to the start of the programme.

During weeks 2, 4 and 6, teams are expected to build on formal sessions by working together on practical self-directed activities for 1.5 days per week.

This self-directed time will provide an opportunity for group discussion on what the project means to your team and how it can be applied to your system.

Week 1 – Module 1               3 November (9:30am – 1pm)

Week 2           Self-directed activities to complete

Week 3 – Module 2               16 November (9:30am – 1pm)

Week 4           Self-directed activities to complete

Week 5 – Module 3               24 November (9:30am – 1pm)

Week 6           Self-directed activities to complete

Week 7                                            Project review

*Please note dates and times are to be confirmed

What we will provide you with

• Each team will be allocated a Project Mentor, who has previously undertaken the Your Project Mentor will guide you along your journey and be on hand to support you with your self-directed learning and activities.
• A journal workbook featuring relevant
• Instructions on pre-work and post-work for each module, including reflective questions to
• Resources for each module, setting out the models and methods covered and providing references for further
• Case studies of real-life QI projects, including from the local system

What we are looking for

The Silver QI & Culture programme is open to teams of 2-5 people working in healthcare who currently have, or are about to start, a real-world QI project.

Special consideration will be given to teams involving Midwives, Neonatal Nurses, Obstetricians and Neonatologists working across Perinatal workstreams.

This silver level programme is a part of bronze, silver and gold award QI & Culture training delivered by the SW AHSN. Applicants do not need to have completed bronze training to undertake the silver programme.