Reducing long waits sprints: programme delivery

We will use proven improvement methodologies to support services to understand and reduce demand, increase activity and improve flow. 


Delivery

We are recruiting services in 20-week improvement sprints to:

  • support sustainable improvements in access and patient flow
  • target improvements in services with the longest waits and limited recent progress
  • apply QI methodologies using DCAQ to uncover and address key challenges contributing to long waits

Participating services will commit to:

  • work with HIS in services with projected waits of 40 weeks or more, with no recent improvements
  • be able to provide a range of demand and activity data relating to waiting times
  • be willing and able to actively engage in this improvement work including clinical and non-clinical staff across a pathway
  • have no recent improvements
  • have an organisational sponsor who will support this work by removing organisational barriers slowing progress
  • have a clinical lead within the service, to act as a driver for improvements
  • attend an informal discussion via MS Teams at application process.

Sprint timeline

The sprints will be delivered over 20 weeks.

  • Preparation period: Create the conditions
  • Week one: Mobilise
  • Week two: Understand
  • Week three: Understand
  • Week six: Set aims
  • Week seven – 17: Testing
  • Week 18: adopt
  • Week 20: sustain

A timeline of the 20-week improvement sprint is available .