How to improve healthcare improvement—an essay by Mary.
The complexity of healthcare provision makes service improvement a challenge, and there is little evidence on whether improvement initiatives change healthcare practices and improve care. To understand the concept of service development within health care, it is necessary to explore the national context and how the NHS has adopted improvement initiatives.The chosen service improvement for this assignment is the introduction of a mental health nurse into primary care services, for example, a GP Surgery. Focusing on service users with mental health issues in the community and therefore in the care of the local Primary Care Trust (PCT).Service Improvement Methods: The literature describes a large number of service improvement methods which have been applied in some form to healthcare settings. Most service improvement methodologies that have been implemented in healthcare have been adopted from industry, where the driving force is to maximise profits for shareholders.
Capability Building, Improvement Tools This NHS Improvement resource provides a short overview, with the most relevant tools and other resources signposted for further exploration.Before implementing a change in practice, nurses require a systematic, evidence-based approach to identifying gaps in services and the need for change. In order to ensure the service they offer is of an appropriate standard, nurses need to know how to assess its quality, identify the need for change, and implement and evaluate that change.
Stakeholder analysis. These tools help you to identify everyone who needs to be involved and assess how much time and resource to give to maintaining their involvement and commitment.
