OHI scholars – from left to right – Sandra Parker, Romaine Dekker, Angus McLellan, Linda Scott, Soo Yeo, Steve Marcus, Marie Crofts, Chris Swindale, Priti Naik, Jessica Deguara, Beatrice Anastasiou, Sib Nyathi, Preeteema Gungah
A significant reduction in self harm incidents was just one of the ‘brilliant’ results revealed at celebrations to mark the first year of Oxford Health Improvement’s scholars. Board member, Sir Jonathan Asbridge, commended improvements to the trust workforce management system, accurately recording agency shifts and invoices to significantly improve efficiency and productivity. Other achievements by the 14 scholars include improving the patient experience of those with autism spectrum disorder, and the documentation and management of pain in community hospitals.
Oxford Healthcare Improvement (OHI) focuses on quality improvement to promote safety and quality of care for patients and their families. The programme celebrated its first anniversary with 14 scholars presenting their quality improvement projects, showcasing their ideas and the results so far. The scholars carry out their normal duties in the workplace whilst attending the 1-year OHI programme. Following completion of the year scholars are considered leaders of quality improvement, giving them tools to develop projects, coach others and support the trust’s overarching mission to provide safe, better quality care to its patients and improve the working lives of its staff.
The first cohort have shown heaps of enthusiasm and passion for their projects, demonstrating that the importance of improvement is fundamental in the cultural change of the trust. The scholars have achieved great results in their projects and will continue to implement change to strive for further improvements. A project supported by OHI at Marlborough House in Swindon has already seen self-harm incidents reduce by 37% by introducing twilight shifts and a wider activity programme.
Chief executive Stuart Bell CBE praised the group of scholars: “I am delighted to see the impact which this first cohort of scholars has achieved on this exciting programme. The results so far from the projects are brilliant. These scholars are pioneers, with a chance to influence not only their own departments, but the wider trust. I look forward to welcoming the next cohort and wish them every success with their projects.”
The scholars’ work was celebrated at a special anniversary get together at the POWIC building. Chief nurse Marie Crofts presented certificates to the scholars and applauded the group for their achievements.
Congratulations to the first cohort of scholars:
- Beatrice Anastasiou, speech and language therapist
- Katie Cleaver, emergency planning lead
- Jessica Deguara, clinical lead community therapy
- Romaine Dekker, psychiatrist
- Preeteema Gungah, modern matron
- Steve Marcus, preceptorship lead
- Clare McGivern, psychiatrist
- Angus McLellan, psychiatrist
- Priti Naik, lead for CQC standards and quality
- Sib Nyathi, modern matron
- Sandra Parker, quality and clinical standard facilitator
- Linda Scott, a customer relationship manager at Staffing Solutions
- Chris Swindale, respiratory physiotherapist
- Soo Yeo, operational manager Emergency Medical Unit and Hospitals at Home
Whilst last year’s scholars continue to implement their improvement ideas and consolidate their relationship with OHI, the programme continues to grow and welcomes the new cohort of future leading improvers in September.
Published: 18 September 2019