23 May 2022

On Friday 20 May 2022, Jameson (CNWL’s central London mental health division) played host to a virtual celebration of Quality Improvement projects from staff across the division over the past few years.

Northwick Park Psychiatric Liaison team began with a presentation on their improvement work to increase delirium detection. This involved the production and distribution of staff lanyards with a rapid (internationally approved) screening tool for delirium on one side and a delirium management checklist on the other.

Dr Justin Kington, Consultant Older Adults Liaison Psychiatrist, revealed that the delirium detection rates are yet to improve but he spoke about the unintended successes of the project in improving the team’s work culture. He said: “striving to make things better can be as important as achieving the outcomes” before sharing a phrase that he repeats to his team every week: “we are good; we can be excellent.”

Bridget Browne, Jameson Improvement Advisor, presented on behalf of Westminster North Hub Community Mental Health Team and their efforts to reduce the number of patients on their caseload not contacted within 45 days. The team took measures including a weekly team meeting with QI coaching support, reminders and refresher training for staff and new processes to contact patients more efficiently. The team exceeded their original aim of 40% reduction within a 4-month period and are now sustaining a 51% reduction.

Geetika Singh, Head of Quality Improvement, and Phillip Perkins, Expert-by-Experience, then introduced the Improvement Academy and Service User and Care Improvement Forum – a new initiative launched by CNWL in January 2022 aimed at improving safety and outcomes for patients, visitors and staff. They spoke about their Education programme and the monthly improvement forums they will use to bring projects together and share learning with the wider Trust.

Nile Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit Ward delivered the final presentation on their efforts to reduce violent incidents. Through a range of initiatives including patient feedback boards, communal cooking sessions, an improved gym space and gardening sessions; the team have reduced violent incidents by over 50% in the last three years.

Bridget Browne and Alison Butler, Director of Improvement, then led a rapid workshop where attendees spoke about their own projects in small groups and considered the key ingredients for successful change.

Dr Gareth Jarvis, Jameson Medical Director, concluded the event saying: “if ever there was a gold standard for what Quality Improvement can achieve, these projects have got it. Thank you to all the presenters for your initiatives and to Bridget Browne for organising this event!”