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?​

In Newcastle we work closely with system partners to break down barriers and improve services for our patients but much of this work remains in clinical team silos.

The system rehab lead will join up the acute and community services and promote true integrated working, address barriers to change and aim to improve staff knowledge and patient access to existing services.

What does your project aim to achieve?

• improve staff knowledge of existing services and referral routes from acute to community to increase patient access and utilisation
• identify barriers to accessibility for patients and staff
• identify gaps across rehabilitation services in Newcastle

How will the project be delivered?

Stakeholder mapping to ensure the correct people are involved and informed of the project.

Initial scoping of current services and service utilisation.

Qualitative and quantitative data collection of staff knowledge of services in both acute and community settings.

Identify gaps in knowledge across staff groups.

Identify gaps in services.

Formulate communication plan and action plan as to how to improve staff knowledge of existing services and improve referrals (and therefore patient outcomes).

This project will align with our ‘movement for change’ strategy for better long term outcomes for patients across Newcastle.

How is your project going to share learning?

Bridging the gaps between acute and community rehab services should improve uptake in community services and therefore patient outcomes. We would like to promote this more integrated approach and bridging these gaps to positively impact our patients.