Strategic Goal: Quality focused
Quality is at the centre of everything we do. Our Quality Strategy is built on the four pillars of Total Quality Management (planning, oversight, assurance, and improvement) adapted to focus on collaboration, customer experience, and continuous learning. This ensures that our services are safe, effective, and consistently delivered to the highest standards.
Supporting excellent patient care is our mission, and our reputation for quality is key to achieving it. The trust of our customers, the confidence of our staff, and the sustainability of our business all depend on the standards we uphold. That is why we are committed to embedding quality in every service and experience across QEF.
In shaping this strategy, we have considered regulatory requirements, NHS guidance such as CQC regulations and the Patient Safety Incident Response Framework, and the financial pressures across the wider NHS.
We have also listened carefully to feedback from our people, customers, and partners, ensuring that our approach reflects their needs and drives improvement where it matters most.
We have a diverse service portfolio, with each area having their own regulatory and industry standards. Over time this has led to a disparate approach to quality and a key theme throughout this strategy is our intent to move towards greater consistency in the way we design, deliver and assure our services. To support this we have identified 3 strategic quality objectives. Each of these is supported by three strategic aims which will guide where we will focus our activity to achieve our goals. These are summarised below:
Embed a consistent approach to quality
Work to consistently high standards in the design and delivery of our services
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We will co-design our services with customers ensuring all are supported by clearly defined and up to date specifications
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We will work towards consistently high-quality standards aligned to ISO requirements
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We will have visibility of all regulatory and industry requirements and have a prioritised plan to address any gaps
Customer and
outcome focused
Listen and respond to our
customers and focus on the impact our services provide
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We will focus on the experience of our customers and take time to listen and respond to their views
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We will proactively utilise data to understand our services with teams taking ownership for improving outcomes in their area
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We will have clarity on our audit and regulatory compliance and proactively utilise themes to target development activity
Learn, improve, innovate
Focus on continually
improving our services and
embracing new technology
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We will be recognised as a learning organisation where everyone feels able to raise concerns and where action is proactively taken
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We will embrace a culture of continuous improvement where all teams continually evolve their services to ensure they remain effective, efficient and competitive
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We will foster an environment where quality is seen as everyone’s responsibility
As part of turning this strategy into a reality, our aim is to:
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Establish a clear annual plan for implementation as part of the annual business planning cycle
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Utilise these aims to set clear objectives for individuals as part of the appraisal process, as well as the creation of divisional business plans
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Review progress against objectives through monthly divisional team meetings
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Oversee progress across all Divisions through regular performance reviews
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In addition, reports on key strands of the annual plan will be reviewed through our governance structures as outlined in the diagram to the right
Given the current financial environment within which we are operating, our year 1 plan has been established based on what can be achieved within the resources and capacity available wherever possible. In the short-term, aspects requiring additional funding may include:
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Additional training around ISO standards and quality requirements
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Capacity to support the baseline review of services
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Training to support Quality Champions within teams