A training programme developed by Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, called the Microsystem Coaching Academy (MCA), has seen positive results this year at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS FT, the Trust has said.
The training tool helps to provide staff with the skills to make local level improvements within the organisation. Its coaches teach staff ‘improvement science’; how to conduct more effective meetings and how to develop behaviours and habits that are consistent with the Trust’s culture of Continuous Improvement.
The Microsystem Coaching Academy has so far taken place on six units across the Trust, reaching more than 70 staff members, including the Trusts’ Medical Assessment Units, Critical Care Unit, Paediatrics and Theatres. The Trust now plans to roll out the tool more widely.
Ailsa Brotherton, Director of Continuous Improvement at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The MCA aims to help frontline staff improve care for patients by supporting them with coaches and helping them to embed Continuous Improvement as part of their professional cultures and mindsets.”
“We are delighted by the MCA’s success in its first year, and we are really proud of our teams who have made strides in improving patient care and staff wellbeing as a result. While the pandemic has meant we haven’t been able to roll out the MCA more widely, we look forward to a time in the near future when more staff can use this training to create exciting and innovative improvements for their patients.”
The training programme was funded by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity.
Paula Wilson, Head of Charities and Fundraising at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted that the MCA programme has been so successful and we are really privileged to be able to fund such innovative and worthwhile initiatives.”
“Patient safety is our highest priority, and we are extremely proud of all of our staff members who have undertaken this exciting training to make long-term improvements for all of the people who come through our doors needing care. We look forward to seeing the further improvements this training can make for staff and patients at our Trust, and as a result of the programme’s success, we are proud to say we will be launching our very own academy in November!”