Relationships at the heart of it
This second episode, in our three-part podcast series, showcases two trailblazing trusts which – in different ways – are driving practical innovations to improve care and enhance cross-organisational working.
They both highlight digital initiatives to better support patients and staff.
Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust
In this case study, Mairead McCormick, chief executive at Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT), shares how the trust has driven reductions in mortality among older patients through strong partnership working and a quality improvement approach.
The local mortality rate in hospitals has dropped by 16% in the last three years compared to 6% in the rest of the south east region. Mairead also outlines how the trust has worked collaboratively with other healthcare organisations to deliver patient care closer to home, alongside other initiatives such as KCHFT’s use of virtual wards and the upcoming neighbourhood health centre in Thanet.
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Malise Szpakowska, chief people officer at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, explains how digital innovation is supporting integrated neighbourhood working.
She highlights the North West Collaborative Bank – a clinician-designed digital platform for resident doctors – that enables flexibility through streamlining shift booking and reducing administration for doctors across 25 trusts.
Aligned with the workforce and digital ambitions of the 10YHP, this collaborative platform has onboarded 6,000 doctors and saved £3m in agency costs. Malise also shares an ambition to expand the model across regions and staff groups.