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

• Patient experience surveys – the service improvement team can help ensure that surveys are targeted, effective and ask the right questions.
  
  
• Demand and capacity modelling – it 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 others knowledge and experience of the service.
  
  
• Signposting/ sharing best practice/ advice – as the team works across all trusts in the network and with all levels of staff they are in the best position to share information and advice.
  
  
• Information gathering and audit – using tools such as 10 patient note reviews, wider targeted audit surveys and questionnaires as well as reporting results and presenting them in visual formats.
  
  
• Process/ value stream mapping sessions – 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 have skills in a variety of project management methodologies and can make a real difference to the outcomes of projects.

• Small step changes – where improvements are measured against a baseline utilising Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycles.