Project summary

Recent reports by the Universities of Bristol and Warwick revealed major costs and inefficiencies of employing management consultants in the National Healthcare Service (NHS). Following these reports, Bristol Medical School wanted to find a way to empower future clinical staff with tools and methods to drive significant positive change from the inside. The QI Innovation Summer School emerged as an early pilot considering a talent-management strategy that would give emerging medics a greater range of tools for managing complexity and potentially relieving the NHS of the burden of inefficient external consultancy costs.

Two teams of future medics were given the challenge of improving hospital handovers. Through brief lectures, hands-on workshops, site tours and independent research in the wards, they saw a project through from start to finish while learning about the design of services in healthcare, organisational development, tools and methods for innovation, and teamwork. As the lead facilitator and project manager, my role span across design, development and delivery.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from the education team and students. During the wrap-up session, students said learning the new tools and methods had helped them think differently and gain a new perspective on healthcare services and would carry this with them throughout their careers. One student reflected on the practical learning environment and shared:

“I can’t believe it’s over already, we are just getting started. It should go the whole summer!”

After a successful pilot, we are currently evaluating the next steps for further development.

Project links and media