Quality Management System: A 90-day innovation cycle

The aim of this study was to describe the key components and functions of a national quality management system that is tailored and relevant to Healthcare Improvement Scotland and its key national partners and, if delivered, would enable us to effectively support the delivery of high quality care in Scotland. This cycle explored the question:

What needs to be in place to ensure an effective approach to quality management across health and social care in Scotland?

The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) worked with us throughout the cycle and this support was funded by the Scottish Government. Healthcare Improvement Scotland is not the only national body with a role in delivering a Scotland-wide approach to quality management, therefore we involved a number of national partners in this work including the Scottish Government, NHS Education for Scotland and the Care Inspectorate.

The current working draft of the Quality Management System Framework and additional information and supporting documents relating to the 90-day innovation cycle can be found in the downloads section.

Initial testing of our ideas took place during the cycle with HIS staff and our delivery partners in NHS Boards and Integration Authorities.

Our recommendation is that further work is carried out to test a quality management system in practice. We welcome organisations who are developing quality management locally to test this work and help us refine the theory. If you are interested in learning with us and willing to share your progress please get in touch.

To learn more about this work or to discuss opportunities for collaborating on testing in practice please contact Michael Canavan by emailing michael.canavan@nhs.net

Published Date: 9 May 2018