Beyond the Toolkit - Leading Quality Improvement in Health and Social Care

Beyond the Toolkit - Leading Quality Improvement in Health and Social Care

There is increasing recognition within the NHS that quality improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints and Experienced Based Co-design can significantly improve patient flow, patient pathways and clinical and administrative processes that lead to better quality outcomes and experiences for patients. Financial savings and improved use of scarce resources can be additional benefits. Given the pressures on the NHS in terms of shrinking funding, ageing demographics, technology and increasing patient demand, we believe that helping those on the front line understand how to use QI methodologies well is vital. This book does not seek to add to the sizeable literature on specific methods and toolkits. Instead It argues that success comes only through paying attention to and integrating QI toolkits and methods with the contextual, relational and personal leadership domains.

Beyond the Toolkit shares powerful, real-life stories told in the main by the NHS leaders who have been Fellows on GenerationQ. In sharing their stories the book answers some of the many questions Leaders often have when wanting to introduce and benefit from QI methods.

 About the Authors All three authors are with Hult International, formerly Ashridge Business School, and co-lead GenerationQ, a Master’s level development programme in Leading for Quality Improvement, open to senior people working in health, social care and health charities.

Liz Wiggins is Associate Professor of Change and Leadership at Hult. She has over twenty years’ experience of coaching and consulting to public and private sector clients in the US, Europe and Asia. Liz has a Masters and a PhD in Organizational Psychology from Birkbeck College, University of London.

Janet Smallwood has been involved with GenerationQ, The Ashridge Masters in Leadership (Quality Improvement) since the outset of the programme in 2009. Janet directs her own consulting organization but has previously worked with Ashridge Executive Education for over 20 years. Janet holds Masters Degrees in Natural Sciences and Chemical Engineering from Cambridge and the Ashridge Masters in Organization Consulting.

Brian Marshall is Academic Director and Discipline Lead for OD and Change at Ashridge Executive Education, part of the Hult International Business School. Brian has a first degree in English literature from London University, and a Master’s degree in Organisational Change from Ashridge.