- Nearly nine in 10 trust leaders (89%) strongly agreed (39%) or agreed (50%) that their trust is prioritising quality improvement and trust-wide improvement programmes. Over eight in 10 respondents (86%) strongly agreed (37%) or agreed (49%) that their trust board is prioritising a clear focus on promoting race equality and tackling discrimination. Almost three quarters (71%) strongly agreed (8%) or agreed (63%) that their trust board has a strong focus on digital innovation.
- The responses to these three statements have not changed since last year.
- However, when asked about whether their trust board is prioritising a focus on tackling health inequalities, two thirds of trust leaders (66%) strongly agreed (13%) or agreed (53%). This is a lower proportion compared to last year where 70% strongly agreed or agreed.
- A relatively smaller proportion of trust leaders (37%) strongly agreed (4%) or agreed (33%) with the following statement: ‘NHS IMPACT (Improving Patient Care Together) has been helpful in supporting a focus on improvement’. This is a higher proportion than last year.
Examples of innovation or improvement you are proud of from within trust or system(s)
Trust leaders shared numerous examples of innovation and improvements from within their trust, often using trust-wide improvement approaches. A key focus for many trusts was reducing health inequalities, particularly by promoting racial equality for both patients and staff. Some trusts reported prioritising their efforts in this space further than before.
Overall, how developed would you describe your trust’s approach to research and innovation?
- Over half of respondents (57%) said they would describe their trust’s approach to research and innovation as very well (16%) or fairly (41%) developed. 38% said their trust’s approach to research and innovation was developing and 5% said it is not well developed.
- By trust type, trust leaders from combined mental health/ learning disability and community trusts were most likely to say their trust’s approach to research and innovation is very well developed (20%) or fairly developed (52%). Whereas those from ambulance trusts were less likely to say their approach in this area is very well developed (17%) or developed (17%).
- Overall, trust leaders stressed they were reasonably strong on research and innovation and many expressed commitments to it as an organisation through formal strategies or links to local universities.
“We are working to build research participation throughout the organisation as we pursue increased research activity supported by greater external investment.”
“Research and innovation is one of our seven organisational commitments imbedded into the plans for all our teams.”