Whittington Health’s Quality Improvement projects shaping the future of the NHS

Quality Improvement (QI) projects are instrumental in elevating the quality and efficiency of local healthcare services and could have an impact on the broader NHS. Whittington Health has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to this cause, completing 51 QI projects this year across the organisation and significantly enhancing its services.

Several of these projects gained national recognition when showcased at prestigious events like the Royal College of Psychiatrists QI and British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology conferences, where they received high commendations. The NHS England Elective & Emergency Care Improvement team recently praised our Emergency Department’s commitment to improve time to triage, which is now 20% above the national average, demonstrating Whittington Health’s focus on innovation and progress.

Notable among them is an initiative that uses a robotic rehabilitation trainer to aid children with cerebral palsy, a project eliminating paper referrals in imaging services, and a project to streamline autism assessments for young people.

One project, which aims to reduce paediatric dental and orthodontic waiting times, has been shortlisted for a Health Service Journal (HSJ) award in the category of modernising diagnostics. The initiative is transforming the experience of patients, who previously faced lengthy waits and travel for dental consultations. The Paediatric Dentistry Advice Clinic is bringing specialised support closer to home through teaching and supporting the dental workforce. As a result, waiting times for orthodontic appointments have drastically reduced from 9 months to less than a week. One parent said “We had four or five appointments and a long wait to be seen at the hospital, and everyone kept saying different things. I like this model way better!”

Whittington Health's QI lead, Iona Gray said, "QI is about identifying what works well; where improvements are needed, brainstorming solutions; and executing projects to enhance efficiency, safety, and patient experience. This instils a profound sense of pride in our work. We aspire to extend the impact of our projects beyond our Trust, sharing knowledge with colleagues nationwide."

With a commitment to continuous improvement, Whittington Health has already trained over 300 staff members in QI in the past year and continues to embark on new projects. The Trust’s passion for innovation and sustainability positions them as leaders on a national scale.