Day 65: Predicting The Need For Support

Today I spent time working on a project;

Improving how we provide support is the object.

We aim to use information, intelligence, and data,

To predict when a service will need help sooner or later.

 

It’s important we provide help when it is needed;

If we’re too late, people’s health and wellbeing may be impeded.

To foresee services before they struggle is not an easy ask,

Our teams will develop tools up to the task.

 

This will be a new approach we will do with the help of AI;

Success will depend on human intelligence of the team and I.

 

(Today’s post is written in recognition of World Poetry Day!)

Day 44: Learning from Berwick

I attended a round table discussion today about how we can best apply learning from Don Berwick’s review of patient safety.  We talked about the need to develop ‘shared purpose’ between commissioners, providers and other stakeholders to achieve the quality of outcomes we all should be aspiring to for patients.

We talked about leadership behaviours and how we, as commissioners, need to role model the behaviours we expect to see from all partners in the health system.

I left the session enthused to look to identify incentives and approaches to commissioning for quality across organisational boundaries, as this is where there is great potential benefit to be gained.  This isn't going to be easy, but when did I ever choose to do something because it was easy?!

Day 1: It all starts here...

Today is the 2 September 2013 and my first day in a new job. This is the first of my 100 words a day for 100 days. It isn't intended to be Pulitzer Prize-winning material; but I aim to write around 100 words each day describing my experience of my new role and working in commissioning in the NHS. My first day as Director of Quality for a Clinical Commissioning Group was spent mainly meeting some fantastic people and getting acquainted with the building that will be my second home (it's a bit of a maze over 5 floors!). We talked about the challenges and opportunities ahead for improving health & outcomes for the local people and the need to increase a focus on quality whilst also moving to greater integration and efficiency.  Tomorrow I'm meeting with the Nursing Director of our major provider, so will write about this in tomorrow's blog (with her permission, of course). 

Day 3: Hospital Chief Nurse, Office Move, PA Interviews

Today started with the Chief Nurse & whistle-stop tour of the urgent/emergency care parts of the local hospital.  Great staff, all committed to great care, including identifying areas where 'the system' doesn't best serve patients, e.g. effective discharge.  Future visit(s) needed to get to grips with their more significant quality challenges.  Back at office had further time with colleagues in Medicines Optimisation & Human Resources to get to know them and their areas of the business.  Moved office to be nearer my team, supported by incredibly efficient IT & admin colleagues.  Final significant task of day was interviewing for a temp PA.  Spending tomorrow with Directors of Quality/Nursing from CCGs in local area.  

Day 2: Quality & Commissioning Teams

Last minute change of plan, my meeting with the hospital Director of Nursing was postponed, so I'll write about this tomorrow.  Today was spent meeting with further members of my team and catching up with wider members of the CCG family. As well as more generally getting to know people, we discussed issues, ranging from challenges of safeguarding for commissioners (newly published Government Policy on Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults available here https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-safeguarding-statement-of-government-policy-10-may-2013) to the planned 111 service re-procurement. I continue to be impressed, but not surprised, by the dedication and passion of my new colleagues for the people we serve. There is a clear desire here to make things better and I am already proud to be part of this.