At Northampton General Hospital we believe we all have two jobs: to deliver care and to improve care.
This work ethic not only ensures we provide the best possible care to our patients and their families but also develops our organisational capability.
There is a growing understanding of the importance of quality improvement (QI) for all doctors in training. To practice medicine in the 21st century, a core understanding of QI is as important as an understanding of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry.
Our hospital has been recognised on an international platform for the improvement initiatives our clinicians and managers have delivered. Recognising and celebrating successes is very important to us, which is why we offer support for publication in healthcare journals, or presentation at national or international healthcare conferences.
To support and strengthen the delivery of QI initiatives, we have a multidisciplinary and multitalented quality improvement team as well as a designated resourced QI Hub.
QI Training and Personal Development
Our QI team support doctors-in-training in many ways, including:
- QI undergraduate training as an SSC Aspiring to Excellence
- Junior Doctor Safety Board – providing a leadership opportunity that supports shared learning
- The Registrar Leadership and Development Programme : Delivering Excellence.
- Specialist QI training to consultants on the Consultant Development Programme
In addition to our QI forum and development programmes, we have been awarded funding to deliver a tier 2 registrar and leadership programme across the STP for specialist trainees in both acute and general practice.
A large number of QI projects delivered throughout our programmes have been accepted for presentation at the International Forum on Quality and Safety in Healthcare where we had the UK’s largest QI contingent.
Partnerships and opportunities
- We formalised and strengthened our affiliation with Northampton University as part of our quality improvement agenda.
Both organisations have an interest in biological, medical and health related quality improvement initiatives and research projects, and we share a common goal delivering cutting-edge research for the benefit of the wider health economy population.
Having a strong academic partnership with active research opportunities ensures our clinicians continue to deliver high-quality care and remain at the forefront of research and quality improvement.
- The QI team is currently developing a Master’s degree programme in quality improvement and patient safety with the University of Northampton. The course will be classed as a premium level course.
- Our chief registrar currently dedicates two days per week supporting junior doctors with QI delivery and leads on several large-scale improvement initiatives.
To find out more about QI at NGH visit our QI page.