Evaluating the University of Salford and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust Quality Improvement Programme (SalQual Programme): Networking for Education in Healthcare Conference, Cambridge

The need for nurses and other healthcare practitioners to apply quality improvement methodology (QI methodology) within their everyday practice is becoming more prevalent in the NHS and is a key requirement of staff employed by Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. Aim/focus of the innovation A joint programme facilitated by Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Salford School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work & Social Sciences has been developed to develop undergraduate student nurses QI and leadership knowledge and skills. Methodology: Apply QI tools and techniques for the benefit of patient care; Work as a team to enhance quality and to measure the difference that they have made Develop their confidence in presenting the outcomes from their quality improvement; Support their development as a registered nurse through developing their leadership skills Structure of the Programme This programme adopts a blended teaching and learning approach. The programme is running throughout the students undergraduate programme of study and is being piloted with September 15 Undergraduate Nursing MA Programme and with those students who are placed at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. The programme will take place when students are on placement. The programme also builds on reflections made by the programme team of a cohort of 3rd year student nurses who have also attended the programme. The QI programme is structured around the Salford Multi-dimensional model for leadership development (Leigh et al. 2015) which is an evidenced based model created by a team of academics from the University of Salford School of Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work and Social Sciences. Methods used to assess the Innovation Students are asked to participate in a range of activities that enhance their knowledge and skills of quality improvement and leadership and these include watching short video?s, participating in real world? work based QI and leadership learning opportunities and reflecting on their experiences. Students are also encouraged to seek the views of their mentor, practice education lead and multi-professional team on how to adopt QI methodology into their everyday role and seek ways to be exposed to how quality patient care is measured. Students have also been invited to provide formal feedback on the programme: Key Findings Students have been able to identify what Quality Improvement means from the viewpoint of multiple stakeholders and the implications of this on patient care. The programme team reflect on the impact of student nurses contributing to the trusts Better care, lower cost programme through identifying areas for improvement. The student?s ideas were shared with the Trust Executive Team with the students invited to attend future quality improvement initiatives. Findings demonstrate the positive impact of partnership working between HEI and practice and in the development of student?s leadership and quality improvement from the start of their programme of study.