1 September 2020
Staff from across HSCQI came together virtually and in person for a workshop on 19 August to continue with the work that will continue to inform the Service Delivery Innovation Implementation during Covid Workstream. Some of the presenters are pictured here.
At the workshop the significant progress made by the HSCQI network on harvesting the learning from Covid19 using the IHI 90 day learning cycle was reviewed. The three themes of virtual consultations, virtual visiting and health and well-being of staff (with a psychological safety focus) were covered in depth with a series of informative and insightful presentations from across the sector. These included:
Virtual Consultations
Soo Hun – Digital Health and Care Northern Ireland, set the scene and the current regional context for the work around virtual consultations. Soo discussed the benefits of a standardised regional approach and the opportunities for innovation. Gill Smith from the Northern Trust shared their story,, outlining how the Trust undertook service user and staff surveys through questionnaires publicised on their website and via social media. Dr Athinyaa Thiraviara – Western Trust highlighted the work that commenced pre-Covid on establishing virtual clinics within the antenatal diabetes team. Ruth Gray – South Eastern Trust shared the work underway within the South Eastern Trust to analyse the learning from Covid 19, this is now in the thematic analysis stage using a weighted framework with outcomes anticipated within the next few weeks.
Virtual Visiting
Gill Smith – Northern Trust shared the experiences from the Northern Trust on establishing a virtual visiting system. Their aim was to adopt a suitable technical solution and processes to maintain family presence using the model for improvement as their change tool to implement this in Covid wards and ICU. Dr Neal Morgan – Southern Trust presented the work which started in March 2020 when he and his team observed the need for an alternative visiting option which would help futureproof visiting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ronagh McCaul – Macklin Care Home Group shared her experience of setting up virtual visiting as a care home manager within the independent sector. Ronagh discussed the challenges faced during this time with pressures on staff and anxieties and concerns regarding residents and team members.
Health and well-being of staff (with a psychological safety focus)
Dr Jackie McCall – HSCQI Hub set out the context for this work and highlighted the regional workforce wellbeing work stream referencing the HSC Leadership Framework on Workforce Wellbeing[1] launched by the Minister in April 2020.
Linda Craig – 10,000 more voices lead shared the results to date from the 746 staff stories collected since the launch of the survey at the end of June 2020, it is anticipated that this will be completed by end September 2020.Jocelyn Harpur – South Eastern Trust shared the approach they are taking to evaluate staff feedback on health and well-being. Louise O Dalaigh – Western Trust shared the work undertaken in the Western Trust to set up a Doctors Hub on the Altnagelvin Hospital site. Dr Lorraine McGurk – Southern Trust shared the “Compassionate Connection” response taken by the Southern Trust to address Staff Wellbeing during the COV-19 pandemic.
Closing the workshop Dr Aideen Keeney, Director of HSCQI Network and Improvement Hub commented that
“We have heard examples of improvement / innovation today, seen data and supporting evidence for this improvement / innovation and felt a real sense of momentum for this work. The HSCQI network has the potential to make a significant and real difference to our population, those at home in their own homes, those in care homes and those in hospitals and to those both young and old.”
It was agreed that the groups should meet in advance of the next workshop which is scheduled for 16th September to develop their plans further and consider potential models/examples which could be shared regionally to enhance learning in these areas. It was also agreed that links should be fostered with other regional groups/teams to avoid duplication and maximise opportunities for shared learning.