Throughout our work streams we use varying tools to obtain the information and results required. They include:

• Patient experience surveys – the service improvement team help ensure that surveys are targeted, effective and ask the right questions.
• Demand and capacity modelling – we can help with identifying waste, inefficiency and potential bottlenecks, as well as showing where resources can best be used to maximise efficiency.
• Rapid improvement events – we bring the whole team together into an improvement process where they can learn from each other’s knowledge and experience of the service.
• Signposting, sharing best practice and advice – as the team works across all trusts in the network and with all levels of staff we are in the best position to share information and advice.
• Information gathering and audit – by using tools such as 10 patient note reviews, wider targeted audit surveys and questionnaires we are able to report results and present them in visual formats.
• Process and value stream mapping sessions – we use this to identify waste and inefficiency in the system and to focus on the core processes that add value to service users and highlight areas where improvements can be made.
• Project management and facilitation – the team has skills in a variety of project management methodologies and we make a real difference to the outcomes of projects.
• Small step changes – we measure improvements against a baseline utilising plan do study act (PDSA) cycles.

To find out more about some of these tools, click here to visit the tools and techniques page.

In this video Janet Williamson, National Director for NHS Improvement, describes how the service improvement team has worked successfully with clinical teams across the network.

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