A&E staff in Carlisle will have 600 more hours a year to spend with patients after tackling barriers in their daily workflows.

The Cumberland Infirmary team took part in an intensive workshop that aims to overcome obstacles to transform healthcare.

They were the latest to be selected to take part in a Rapid Process Improvement Workshop (RPIW), which is supported by the Cumbria Learning and Improvement Collaborative (CLIC).

It gave staff working in the department an opportunity to take time out to discuss the main obstacles they face within their day-to-day roles, and how these could be reduced.

The aim was to reduce inefficiencies and provide staff with more time for face-to-face patient care.

The team included medical, nursing, allied health professional staff and patient and volunteer representatives.

Together they identified a number of barriers, and worked out ways they can overcome them. They include:

  • Ensuring patients in the department are triaged within 15 minutes, aided by the introduction of a dedicated healthcare assistant. This has already gone up from 65 per cent to 85 per cent this week alone.
  • Relocating commonly used documents so the team don't have to walk as far, saving of up to 400 hours per year of staff time.
  • Working with the ambulatory care team to ensure potential treatment pathways for patients are clear and time isn't wasted.
  • Creating a dedicated area for drug preparation.
  • Taking a new approach to ensure computers and documentation are kept close to patients so they can involve them at every stage.

Aimee Hall, A&E sister, said: “It has been an exciting week for the team as we have worked through all of the ideas generated.

“In order for A&E to run smoothly, we have to work closely with colleagues across the other wards and departments and they have been really supportive of the work we have undertaken.

“We have learned that small changes really can make a big difference, which has been eye-opening for us all."

The team generated over 80 improvement ideas and will now work to develop them over the coming weeks and months.

Gill Long, head of nursing for clinical education and one of the leads for the improvement workshop, said: “I am so proud of the team. They work in a very challenged environment but their team spirit has shone through, as well as their absolute commitment to making improvements for their colleagues and their patients.”