Systematic Quality Improvement

The challenge

Improved quality means healthcare which is more effective, timely, efficient and safer than ever before. At present, evidence shows that healthcare is not always safe, with some patients and service users having poor experiences and outcomes.

Health and social care providers face the dual challenge of responding to this whilst simultaneously reducing costs and improving efficiency.

Although some organisations have adopted approaches such as Lean, many have failed to gain traction and make improvements that stick. Yet the benefits are clear - around 80% of NHS trusts rated 'outstanding' by the QCC have a systematic approach to quality improvement (QI).

Embedding QI requires a fundamental shift in how an organisation approaches work, re-positioning senior leaders into 'problem framers'. By creating an environment in which problem solvers from all parts of the organisation can thrive, continued improvements in quality, cost and performance can be achieved.

Delivering the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan will rely on local health systems having the QI capability to develop new ways of working that deliver improved outcomes, efficiency and reduce unwanted variation in performance.

Our solution

We work with you to develop a tailored programme that embeds QI based on Lean and other tried and tested improvement methodologies.

This includes:

Assessment - Using an assessment framework, we will gauge the maturity of your QI approach and identity areas for further development.

Strategy - Guiding leaders to develop a systematic QI approach.

Leadership development - Providing everything from an introduction to QI for managers to bespoke executive leadership coaching.

Structured training programme - Development and roll out of a bespoke staff training programme, supported by a certification process.

Coaching and mentoring - Setup and development of your own in-house improvement capability supported by one-to-one coaching and mentoring over a sustained period with our improvement leads.

Deployment - Designing and implementing a structured roll out programme to deliver improved patient care.

Benefits

By working with us, organisations can deliver improved results for patients, staff and the organisation, including:

  Culture
A QI methodology built into the DNA of the organisation.

  Quality leaders
At all levels that support and enable front line teams to improve.

  Return on investment
Through improved results in quality, cost and performance.

  Valued workforce
Equipped with QI skills which they are able to embed within business as usual activities.

 Capacity and capability
Sharing knowledge to create a high performing internal team of advanced practitioners.

Why we're different

We are proud to be part of the NHS family
We are unique in providing services that represent value for money, with profits reinvested into the NHS as part of our joint venture with the Department of Health and Social Care.

Our Capability
Our team has a unique blend of extensive healthcare and commercial expertise, which is complemented with support and assurance from our wider business, including specialist VAT advisory, BI analytics, and leading edge digital tech solutions from our parent company Sopra Steria to create a "one stop shop" to support your needs.

Flexibility
Our services combine to create true flexibility, supporting whole-system transformation in the format you need to enable manageable patient outcome improvement and value for money.

Organisational Knowledge
When you work with NHS SBS you don't just get the benefit of the knowledge and experience of the team assigned to your project. You get the benefit of our collective knowledge and learning from our work with a wide variety of health and care commissioners and providers.

Consistency, resilience and governance
Working with our team ensures that there will be a consistent approach, boosting resilience and improving governance and control.

Track Record
We have delivered audited savings of over £400 million to our NHS clients and our Healthcare Improvement Solutions team has an outstanding record of customer satisfaction.

What our customers think

"Andrew (SBS) worked with me to lead a QI approach "The Big Room" that empowered front line staff to embed continuous improvement. The patient outcomes were amazing and I hope we can embrace this as a model for the entire NHS."

Dr Jaweeda Idoo, Clinical Transformation Director, Stockport Neighbourhood Care

Interested to know more?