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'?

The NHS had to adapt how we work and deliver some aspects of care in response to Covid.  This demonstrated that there are better and smarter ways of working.  If we can remove some of the daily frustrations around systems, technology and processes we can improve efficiency and quality of the work we deliver, as well as meet the shifting expectations our teams have surrounding the how, where and when they work.

So we’re embarking on a smarter working programme to change how we work at CHS.  Our vision is to support everyone here to work efficiently and to a high standard in a way that suits them, their team and our patients.

To achieve this, we need to change how we do things.  Long-winded processes, unproductive meetings, unnecessary travel, and technology issues can all be barriers to efficiency and causes of frustration.

What does your project aim to achieve?

This programme will work in co-production with the people of CHS to question and challenge processes that ‘have always been done like that’ or do not make sense. Improvements in practices, processes, policies, systems, and technology will play a critical part of the programme. Space is a premium so maximizing how we use what we have available to us in a better way will be essential.

The programme is in its infancy, we are setting out why change is needed and the direction of travel that we should take. To build a strong strategic case, we want to include evidence of some of the challenges that are being faced on a day to day basis by staff. This funding request would enable intelligence to be gathered and build the vision we are passionate about creating at Croydon.

How will the project be delivered?

Via a programme of change, running through the whole organisation with an Executive Director as SRO. The programme will be managed using an agreed project methodology with the appropriate governance and reporting in place. All programmes of change report to the Trust’s Change Management Group to support successful implementation.

How is your project going to share learning?

The programme already has an agreed benefits plan, setting out how success will be measured. These benefits have been scoped with the CQI team to ensure that they are continuous.  Achievement against benefits are monitored by the SRO and programme board during regular intervals. The programme will maintain a lessons log, documenting learning for future projects and taking corrective action when/ if needed. Learning documented in the lessons log, will be reflected in the programme communication plan which is shared widely with all stakeholders.