Course overview

Board members have responsibility for ensuring that services are safe, effective, and sustainable. As a board member with joint and several liability, there is an expectation that directors will have an appropriate level of knowledge and understanding of NHS quality to provide the required oversight and challenge 

This training provides an overview of the NHS policy landscape in relation to quality, including patient safety as a domain of quality, to enable non-executive directors to understand the national agenda in these areas, alongside exploring the non-executive director role in challenge and gaining assurance that high quality, safe services are being delivered for patients and service users, or that appropriate actions are being taken to address areas of improvement. The board also has an important role in creating a culture to support continuous improvement where all staff, patients and service users are empowered to speak up if there are areas of concern. 

Everyone has a role to play in quality. This training aims to provide non-executive directors with sufficient knowledge and understanding of quality in the NHS to develop confidence in executing their challenge, assurance and support role as a member of a unitary board. 

Course objectives:

• Provide an overview of the national policy agenda in relation to quality, quality improvement and patient safety including defining quality, measuring quality and how quality is overseen at board, trust and system level. 
• “Finding signals through the noise” - explore sources of triangulation and assurance in relation to quality and patient safety and the role of the quality committee in this. 
• Provide an overview of what quality improvement is in the NHS.  
• Explore the role of an organisational culture of continuous improvement. 
• Equip attendees with the knowledge and confidence to increase their understanding and scrutiny of quality and offer robust and effective challenge where appropriate. 
• Provide practical exercises to put learning into practice encouraging attendees to triangulate across different sources of information to ask appropriate questions and gain assurance. 
• Provide a safe space for you to meet with peers to discuss common problems and explore solutions. 

Virtual course format 

This course is a full day event running in two sections across one day. The course will be delivered on Zoom. Estimated timings are: 

Section one: 9.30am - 12.30pm 

Section two: 1.30pm - 4.00pm 

Please note this is subject to change.  

How to book 

Module cost per delegate (ex VAT): Member: £260, Non Member: £312

Module cost per delegate (incl. VAT): Member: £312, Non Member: £374.40

You will need to provide a purchase order number at booking to confirm your place on this course. Card payments are also accepted.

Follow the booking link at the top of this page and create an account if you have not already done so. 

In-house training

This course can be delivered exclusively for your organisation with in-house training and can be tailored to your requirements.

If you have any questions regarding this course, please contact board.development@nhsproviders.org

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