2022-2023 Patient Safety Improvement Programme Project Call – Update

The Academic Health Science Network for North East North Cumbria (AHSN NENC) is delighted to announce that it is now supporting five initiatives, following a Patient Safety Improvement Programme Project Call.

On 12 August, the AHSN NENC invited applications from its partner organisations to bid for up to £30,000 of funding to deliver projects that contribute to the overall aim of the National Patient Safety Improvement Programmes (NatPatSIPs).

There was an incredible response to the Project Call with 35 applications received, which showcased a fantastic range of activity covering the Safety Improvement Programmes priority areas. The AHSN NENC is able to fund five projects, one for each workstream.

“We are excited to watch their progress, champion their work, and support them to disseminate their learning and achievements on completion.” – Wendy Halliburton, Patient Safety Lead

The successful projects are:

Maternity and Neonatal – South Tees NHS Foundation Trust ‘Optimisation and Stabilisation of the Preterm Infant’

In line with the NatPatSIP driver, we have supported the project to introduce a Life Start trolley to improve optimal cord management, by providing intact cord resuscitation. The aim is to improve their Optimal Cord Management rate from 58% to 85% by October 2023. Led by Prakash Loganathan, Sian Oldham, and Louise Michie.

Medicine Safety – Bridge View Practice, Sunderland

In line with the NatPatSIP to reduce high dose non-cancer pain opiate prescribing, we have supported the appointment of a specialist pharmacist to support an MDT approach. Alongside a wider programme of work within the practice, including reviewing their prescribing protocol and contacting patients on high dose opiates, the specialist pharmacist will provide a dedicated clinic appointment with patients who want to reduce their opiates. Led by Dr Martin Weatherhead.

Mental Health & Learning Disabilities – Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

In line with the NatPatSIP driver to reduce restrictive practice (physical restraint, seclusion, rapid tranquilisation), we are supporting the team to undertake an evaluation of the HOPE(S) model which is a human rights based approach to working with individuals in segregation developed from research and clinical practice (developed by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and being rolled out by NHS England). Led by Dr Barry Ingham.

Managing Deterioration – North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust

In line with the NatPatSIP to reduce deterioration associated harm by improving the prevention, identification, escalation and response to physical deterioration, we are supporting the team to provide training and upskilling of 200+ healthcare workers, to enable early identification and intervention of a deteriorating patient in care home and residential settings. Led by Lynn Morgan.

System Safety – South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

In line with the NatPatSIP to support the national adoption and scale-up of the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework, and in particular the engagement of patients, families and staff, we are supporting the team to deliver training to staff to facilitate restorative practice dialogue and meetings between patients who have been harmed during healthcare and the staff involved in the event. Led by Kate Jones.

Wendy Halliburton, Patient Safety Lead for the Academic Health Science Network North East North Cumbria said: “We had an overwhelming response to the Project Call, with 35 applications from across the region, each aligned to one of the five National Patient Safety Improvement Programmes.

“We were able to fund one project from each work stream, and our work stream leads will be supporting the project leads to develop and deliver their projects over the next 12 months. We are excited to watch their progress, champion their work, and support them to disseminate their learning and achievements on completion.”

Thank you to everyone who took the time to apply for the NatPatSIP Project Call.