NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit

12 May 2025

Black History Month inclusion training for NHS finance professionals

The Inclusion Team partnered with the Midlands Finance Academy to deliver an impactful Black History Month session, combining education,…

12 May 2025

Driving continuous improvement in histopathology services across the Midlands

A comprehensive review by NHS Midlands and Lancashire’s Improvement Unit has created a roadmap for improving quality, efficiency and…

12 May 2025

Improving dementia care through a national self-assessment toolkit

A new national dementia self-assessment tool, co-developed by NHS Midlands and Lancashire’s Improvement Unit, DHSC and NHSE, is enabling…

25 April 2025

Project management support for NHS cost improvement programme

Discover how effective project management support helped an NHS hospital trust in the North-West save £1.5 million through their…

27 March 2025

Strengthening organisational development and leadership

Through the delivery of a tailored organisational development plan, we enhanced leadership development, established a coaching culture, strengthened team…

27 March 2025

Strengthening team identity and purpose at an NHS trust

Through interactive team development sessions, we helped a trust establish a clear team purpose, strengthen relationships, and create a…

20 March 2025

Improving workforce data consistency for better planning at NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board

We worked with NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (NHS BSOL ICB) to standardise turnover reporting, enhance workforce…

6 March 2025

Implementing new ways of working to improve cancer screening for people with learning disabilities

Through our two-year programme with NHS England North West, we identified key barriers preventing people with learning disabilities from…

6 March 2025

Developing a sustainable change management strategy for a children’s hospice

Our Transformation Unit designed and embedded a comprehensive organisational change management strategy for a children’s hospice charity. This approach…

5 March 2025

Achieving service excellence via the service desk certification programme

Our IT service desk plays a crucial role in supporting approximately 35,000 users across health and care, including 24/7…

3 March 2025

Transforming workforce structures for the East of England Cancer Alliance

We supported the East of England Cancer Alliance through a complex organisational change process, ensuring a smooth transition, stakeholder…

14 February 2025

Addressing workforce challenges through standardised job descriptions

Our People Solutions team addressed recruitment challenges and pay inconsistencies in a hard to recruit professional group by developing…

12 February 2025

Strategic workforce planning through up skilling

Through tailored training and hands-on application of the NHS England STAR and workforce redesign methodologies, we enabled human resources…

19 December 2024

Delivering an integrated care board’s first annual report

We successfully supported Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) in delivering their first annual report and accounts as…

5 December 2024

Advancing care quality and outcomes for haemoglobin disorders across England

Through a comprehensive peer review programme, we worked with the UK Forum on Haemoglobin Disorders to improve care quality,…

5 December 2024

Peer review of long COVID services across the Midlands

We used an innovative peer-to-peer review model to address variations in long COVID service delivery across the Midlands, promoting…

5 December 2024

Driving clinical leadership through mentorship at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

NHS Midlands and Lancashire’s Nursing and Urgent Care team supported the development of clinical leaders at Queen Elizabeth Hospital…

25 November 2024

Collaborative solution for health inequalities reporting across NHS integrated care boards and trusts

Through a collaborative approach, we developed a common approach to reporting health inequalities metrics, enabling consistent, comparable reporting across…

21 November 2024

Programme improvement for DHSC’s Start for Life programme

Our collaborative, targeted review of the Department of Health and Social Care’s and Department for Education’s Start for Life…

18 November 2024

Improving IT support efficiency with our AVA Chatbot

Our AVA chatbot has streamlined IT support, saving over 520 hours of analysts’ time, enhancing service quality, and providing…

4 November 2024

Solving fragmented healthcare data with integrated solutions

The One Health and Care (OHC) system has revolutionised healthcare in the Midlands by integrating patient data across sectors,…

23 October 2024

Delivering communications for NHS England’s eye care e-referral system in North East and Yorkshire

NHS Midlands and Lancashire and Arden & GEM Integrated Communications and Engagement team supported NHS England North East and Yorkshire…

17 October 2024

Improving patient experience and legal compliance of Deprivation of Liberty applications

We helped the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board ensure legal compliance, improve patient care, safeguard individual rights, and reduce…

10 October 2024

Comprehensive endoscopy strategy for Northern Care Alliance

Developing a trust wide endoscopy strategy for Northern Care Alliance In March 2022, the Northern Care Alliance (NCA) commissioned…

2 October 2024

Supporting a review of West Midlands community dental services

Our engagement study significantly informed decision-making by highlighting key themes such as access, travel, and patient experience, ensuring that…

9 September 2024

Successful implementation of the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation in Wolverhampton

NHS England sought to implement the Ottawa Model of Smoking Cessation in secondary care across England, integrating smoking cessation…

4 September 2024

Transforming Derbyshire healthcare’s medical workforce for future resilience

Our work with Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has significantly strengthened workforce planning, supported planning for the expansion of…

8 August 2024

Streamlining accounts payable at NHS trust

We worked with an NHS trust to streamline the accounts payable function by setting out a process map for…

2 August 2024

Building stronger connections for team development: Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI)

NHS Midlands and Lancashire used Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) to help several teams at different stages of their team…

19 July 2024

Unifying medication prescribing across Cheshire and Merseyside

The harmonisation project led by our Medicines Optimisation team successfully established governance and streamlined formulary reviews. By creating a…

4 July 2024

Optimising immunisation services with an integrated hub and spoke model in Greater Manchester

Our Improvement Unit’s independent service evaluation led to the recommendation of an integrated hub and spoke model, aiming to…

1 July 2024

Enhancing efficiency and sustainability with a diagnostic healthcare workforce strategy

Through strategic collaboration and comprehensive planning, we enhanced the efficiency and sustainability of the diagnostic healthcare workforce within an…

1 July 2024

Implementing a flexible working framework and training package for enhanced workforce culture

An NHS foundation trust, in collaboration with NHS Midlands and Lancashire, developed a flexible working framework and training package…

1 July 2024

Sustaining and expanding international recruitment for an integrated care system

Our Workforce Planning and Transformation team’s efforts secured a three-year investment for the International Recruitment Workforce Bureau, enabling the…

13 June 2024

Advancing maternity and neonatal services with interactive data dashboards

Our collaboration with NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB resulted in the development of an interactive dashboard that significantly…

12 June 2024

Reshaping an integrated care board for future success 

We successfully guided the organisational change process for an integrated care board, aligning its workforce with the long-term vision…

10 June 2024

Developing a user-centric website for cardiovascular care excellence

The National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (NICOR) partnered with NHS Midlands and Lancashire and NHS Arden and GEM…

6 June 2024

Improving mobile breast screening in Liverpool, Sefton, and Knowsley

Implementing recommendations within the Liverpool, Sefton, and Knowsley Mobile Breast Screening Programme has brought about substantial enhancements. Augmented engagement,…

6 June 2024

Evaluating the Answer Cancer service in Greater Manchester

Our evaluation of the ‘Answer Cancer’ initiative increased cancer awareness in underserved communities and demonstrated good value for money.…

6 June 2024

Integrating Cheshire and Stockport breast screening services

The successful implementation of NHS England Screening Quality Assurance Service (SQAS) approved recommendations resulted in the establishment of a…

5 June 2024

Driving strategic workforce planning and operational excellence in an integrated care board

Through strategic leadership and effective collaboration, we significantly enhanced the understanding and implementation of a comprehensive workforce plan for…

4 June 2024

Integrating recruitment services into a central team to deliver at-scale efficiencies 

Centralising recruitment services for NICE through NHS Midlands and Lancashire significantly improved efficiency, reducing time-to-hire to under 30 days,…

29 May 2024

Developing a seamless user journey website for the National Institute for Health and Care Research

In May 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) unveiled a…

24 May 2024

Optimising staffing strategies, cost reductions and strategic governance

Through detailed analysis and strategic governance frameworks, we reduced the usage of agencies for staffing, leading to notable reductions…

21 May 2024

Calculating Quality Reporting Service Local’s impact on driving efficiency in primary care claims management

Our involvement in Calculating Quality Reporting Service (CQRS) Local has proven to be a critical asset in improving efficiency,…

29 April 2024

Aligning medication guidelines: The Cheshire and Merseyside initiative 

The Cheshire and Merseyside initiative, aimed at aligning medication guidelines, has enhanced medication management practices across the region. By…

16 April 2024

Scaling non-medical prescribing services for enhanced patient care

Our Medicines Management and Optimisation team has improved patient care by improving processes and automating tasks to ensure timely…

9 April 2024

Supporting hospital transformation programmes to embed equality, diversity, and inclusion considerations

Between 2022 and 2023, our Inclusion Unit provided a bespoke ‘due regard’ support package to the Lancashire and South…

2 April 2024

Ensuring Care Quality Commission readiness through collaborative intervention at Portway House

Our Nursing and Urgent Care Team’s intervention significantly transformed a care facility, enhancing staff morale, competence, and confidence, ultimately…

14 March 2024

The digital transformation of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust website

Our Communications and Engagement team helped Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust achieve a digital overhaul, enhancing website usability, functionality,…

20 February 2024

Enhancing stroke risk management by developing a comprehensive reporting dashboard

The implementation of the cardiovascular disease prevention dashboard markedly enhanced stroke prevention strategies, offering healthcare providers critical data on…

8 February 2024

Transforming tobacco control: How our data analytics improved health outcomes

The development of interactive dashboards and comprehensive data analysis significantly helped NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System to…

2 February 2024

Reducing the use of Lorazepam at a dementia nursing care home

Our Medicine Optimisation Care Home team successfully reduced the reliance on regular Lorazepam prescriptions in elderly residents of a…

2 February 2024

Achieving operation excellence and strategic impact

Our adoption of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Procurement Excellence Programme has significantly increased operational control.…

29 January 2024

Understanding performance drivers across urgent care pathways

Our Business Intelligence team in partnership with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board, revolutionised data management and decision-making processes within the urgent care…

17 January 2024

Improving frailty care through data innovation

We developed an innovative, interactive dashboard that has significantly enhanced the delivery and effectiveness of frailty care in Lancashire…

22 December 2023

Improving workforce sustainability at an NHS foundation trust

Our Organisational Development team implemented a dynamic five-year integrated workforce plan at an NHS foundation trust, resulting in a…

19 December 2023

Supporting the transition to an integrated care board

Our Digital Transformation team’s expertise in programme management significantly enhanced an integrated care system’s readiness for the 2023 integrated…

13 December 2023

Enhancing programme management office functions at Lancashire and South Cumbria integrated care system

Our Digital Transformation team’s in-depth review and strategic guidance significantly improved Lancashire and South Cumbria integrated care system’s programme…

13 November 2023

Navigating winter challenges with a proactive resilience strategy

Our strategy in navigating winter challenges enabled real-time monitoring and prompt adjustments in urgent and emergency care capacity, significantly…

10 November 2023

Enhancing equality impact assessments at Terrence Higgins Trust

The Inclusion Unit’s workshops significantly improved Terrence Higgins Trust’s approach to equality impact assessments, fostering deeper engagement, understanding, and…

9 November 2023

Driving healthcare transformation through data-driven intelligence

We achieved a system-wide enhancement in healthcare service delivery, decision-making efficiency, and operational effectiveness through advanced data management and…

3 November 2023

Examining health inequalities among people with learning disabilities in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland

This study revealed significant health disparities among people with learning disabilities in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, prompting targeted prevention…

24 October 2023

Implementing Electronic Repeat Dispensing in Halton and St Helens

Our Medicines Management and Optimisation team supported NHS England’s initiative to implement the Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) service across…

13 October 2023

Empowering Rose: Court of Protection and exemplary application of the Mental Capacity Act

We supported an integrated care board (ICB) to assess the mental capacity of a patient with complex issues, represented…

13 October 2023

Strengthening Dudley Integrated Health and Care Trusts operations through programme management

Our programme management capabilities significantly enhanced the operations of Dudley Integrated Health and Care Trust, ensuring timely project completion…

10 October 2023

Supporting an integrated care board’s achievement of the race equality code quality mark

Our collaboration resulted in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) becoming the first Integrated Care Board in the…

27 September 2023

IT integration and facility upgrade for the Shawbirch Medical Centre

Our Digital Transformation team seamlessly transitioned Shawbirch Medical Centre to their new facility, introducing advanced IT systems, successfully integrating…

25 September 2023

Digital roadmap for implementing a primary care network clinical system hub

We helped implement a clinical system hub which led to significant cost savings, enhanced efficiency, and halved GP time…

21 September 2023

Stopping over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both (STOMP) 

We tackled overmedication in individuals with learning disabilities and autism by upskilling primary care pharmacists, facilitating structured medication reviews,…

25 August 2023

Preventing cardiovascular diseases through lipid therapy modification 

We adopted a systematic strategy to identify primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease which resulted in enhanced lipid…

17 August 2023

Improving the safety of patients prescribed clozapine

Our partnership with a local mental health trust resulted in advancements in addressing inadequate clozapine documentation, leading to improved…

14 August 2023

Improving outcomes for vulnerable residents in Lancashire and South Cumbria

Our Business Intelligence team’s data-driven approach led to: improved care access, lowered acute service demand, and empowered patients, making…

2 August 2023

Inhaler prescribing errors: Identifying risks and improving patient safety

We improved patient safety and raised awareness across GPs, hospitals and community pharmacy of the risks of prescribing inhalers…

31 July 2023

Improving epilepsy services and reducing health inequalities

We brought together patients, experts and care system partners to identify areas of concern which contribute to premature avoidable…

25 July 2023

Helping a local council to order equipment efficiently

Our management of Staffordshire County Council’s community equipment service led to the elimination of a backlog, improved administrative processes,…

18 July 2023

Bespoke coaching to support staff through new or difficult situations 

We supported staff through challenging situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, organisational change, and developing communication skills which resulted…

17 July 2023

Understanding mental health attendance in Emergency Departments

Our dashboard on mental health attendance in Emergency Departments empowered commissioners and providers to identify care variations, establish baselines,…

9 July 2023

Improvement Support Programme North West Acute Trust Provider

Our work with the North West Acute Trust Provider improved their incident and risk management processes, resulting in a…

5 July 2023

NHS-funded nursing care reviews

Efficiently completing overdue NHS-funded nursing care reviews within budget, our team ensured individuals’ health and social care needs were…

26 June 2023

Enhancing elective surgery outcomes

Our expertise in information governance has played a crucial role in improving surgical outcomes through the Surgery Hero project,…

22 June 2023

Patient flow efficiency in five acute and community trusts

We successfully improved patient flow efficiency in five acute and community trusts, achieving zero ambulance delays, reducing handover times,…

22 June 2023

Medicines Safety Assurance Tool (MSAT), developed in 2014 and still in demand

In 2014, we introduced the Medicines Safety Assurance Tool (MSAT) to help healthcare organisations systematically assess medicines safety and…

15 June 2023

Increasing patient referrals to the National Diabetes Prevention Programme

By implementing effective strategies, we increased patient referrals to the National Diabetes Prevention Programme. The number of primary care…

23 May 2023

Supporting the delivery of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICS green plan 

Our support in developing the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICS green plan resulted in a robust and deliverable plan that…

12 May 2023

Support for ICB’s ledger build: Streamlining the transition to an integrated single financial environment

We streamlined the transition to an integrated single financial environment for 11 clinical commissioning groups to integrated care boards…

9 May 2023

E-learning product on net-zero carbon emissions target

Our e-learning product on net-zero carbon emissions raised awareness amongst staff of both organisational and national net-zero targets and…

3 May 2023

Using geo-spatial analysis to determine the impact of a hospital service reconfiguration

We provided detailed geo-spatial analysis that was central to determining the impact on patients in a complex hospital service…

28 April 2023

Positive impact of physiotherapy pilot programme 

We increased the coverage of physiotherapy services from approximately 3% to 15% and improved communication and reporting, resulting in…

14 April 2023

Risk and governance processes review and recommendations

We provided specialist support to an acute trust to accelerate improvement by developing a risk management program to reduce…

11 April 2023

From strategy to execution: Delivering a comprehensive digital transformation investment plan

We prepared a comprehensive three-year Digital Transformation Investment Plan that seamlessly integrated into the full Integrated Care Board (ICB)…

3 April 2023

Enhancing clinical audit processes: A review of an acute trust

We made a significant impact on an acute trust’s clinical audit processes by providing a thorough diagnostic report and…

30 March 2023

Improving risk management in an Acute Trust: A case study of streamlining internal processes

We undertook a diagnostic review that optimised the underutilised features of a risk management system and simplified data capture,…

23 March 2023

Transforming healthcare: Developing Integrated Service Models for the Shrewsbury Health and Wellbeing Hub

We supported the development of a new Health and Wellbeing Hub in Shrewsbury by designing and agreeing on integrated…

20 March 2023

Evaluating a digital tool to manage caseload and care in community mental health​

We helped reduce mental health crisis rates and optimise user flows by introducing a new data capture tool, evaluating…

16 March 2023

Maximising value for limited funding: Efficiency analysis for COPD pathway

By analysing the results from stakeholder decision conferences along with the STAR tool, we empowered ICSs to efficiently allocate…

14 March 2023

A pledge to being green: NHS Midlands and Lancashire staff share personal and professional pledges…

Empowering NHS Midlands and Lancashire (NHS ML) staff to make personal and professional pledges for a sustainable future A…

9 March 2023

Our Way Of Working: Embedding a new agile and flexible organisational culture at NHS Midlands and…

Through extensive engagement and consultation processes, and a robust communications strategy, we successfully fostered a culture of agility and…

6 March 2023

Implementing the NHS smoking cessation service at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust

We provided support to the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, enabling them to become an early adopter of…