What is the challenge your project is going to address and how does it connect to the theme of 'How can we improve across system boundaries?​

B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) ICS Improvement Community of Practise have co-designed a capacity building response to improvement called the Q Concept.  Having undertaken a QI capability diagnostic at system level, we will develop the learning into an ambitious output that aligns with NHS Impact.

The challenge is to create a culture of continuous improvement through collaboration across BSW ICS.  This will support sharing best practice, learning and resources and include local authority, third sector and NHS colleagues. Phase one of the Q Concept will develop primary foundation elements to a system wide improvement approach through the lens of patient safety and experience (resources library, coaching & mentoring pool, shared training opportunities, and ‘go and see’s).

Recognising that engagement is fundamental, we want to develop a shared website with an interactive engagement plan, for all partner organisations. This will help build a system vision of improvement and align our improvement efforts.

What does your project aim to achieve?

A proposed ‘BSW Q’ concept incorporates insights and feedback that were acquired through feedback from our system partners, demonstrating tangible and realistic outputs for BSW ICS and individual organisations for 2024, to spearhead and lay the foundations of a collaborative culture of continuous improvement within the system.

Phase one of the Q Concept aims to develop the foundation of sharing resources, learning and experience of improvement.  It will reduce duplication of effort, promote easy adoption, and spread of initiative and give a platform for all organisations, including local authorities and the third sector, to share their work easily and with commonly used improvement tools and language.  This website will be separate from existing NHS-centric offers and build on the cross-system work that has already been done and tailored to our system.

How will the project be delivered?

The existing Community of Practise member organisations and members will engage with a web design organisation to design a fully interactive website for Q Concept where all members are able to upload case studies, download resources and find QI mentors and coaches to help them with their projects.

Governance and rigour will comprise from our Community of Best Practice (CoP) where partners meet on a regular basis to monitor and provide appropriate levels of challenge. A memorandum of understanding is currently being designed collaboratively with partners to ensure accountability, and appropriate representation is in-place to drive this forward.

Furthermore, three task & finish groups comprising of members have been set-up and are underway, to reflect this concept into a reality.

How is your project going to share learning?

The website will be designed to be open to anyone working in QI, but it’s primary purpose will be to highlight the work that is being done within the system to support patient care, and with a view to adopting and spreading initiatives where possible. A comprehensive communication and engagement plan will be required to embed within B&NES, Swindon, and Wiltshire ICS, and this is scheduled to be worked-up in the spring.