What is the challenge your project is going to address and how does it connect to the theme of 'How can improvement be used to reduce delays accessing health and care services'?

Accessing in-patient care is dependent on bed space availability. With increased pressures on emergency departments, flow of patients through our services is vital to ensure patients get the care they need, when they need it. In order to reduce delays for acutely unwell patients receiving care we need to ensure that we do not delay discharges wherever possible. Increased length of stay in associated with increased mortality and morbidity.  Evidenced suggests that early in-patient mobilisation prevents deconditioning & reduces length of stay. This project aims to do just that, addressing timely mobilisation for our in-patients to help them get up and home to where they want to be, freeing up bed-spase for those that really need it.

What does your project aim to achieve?

We aim to develop and deliver an SME led programme for timely in-patient mobilisation,  designing and delivering a bespoke package of training, tools and resources for staff which wilt enable a sustainable and improved model of care for timely mobilisation for our in-patients.

How will the project be delivered?

We aim to embed this project within an existing “Flow & Length of Stay” programme, which has oversight from the programme management board. The working group consists of key stakeholders, including clinical leads, the nursing workforce and senior leaders within the organisation. The model for delivery is reflective of a “train the trainer” concept in which an interim post-holder will receive specialised training and act and an SME for the Trust to deliver on the objectives of this project, piloting the programme over 4 in-patient wards. Using QI methodology we will analyse outputs of the pilot to learn, improve &  scale-up over the remaining in-patient wards through the remainder of their interim post. Early adopters will champion the programme, supporting peer to peer learning and support. We will build mobilisation skills throughout our nursing workforce, developing a competent and confident workforce.

How is your project going to share learning?

through the Q community specialist interest groups