NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit

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 met, identified necessary referrals, and fostered strong partnerships with…

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, reducing complications, minimising cancellations, and shortening post-surgery stays. Background…

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, and implementing timely crew shift completions through data-driven strategies…

22 June 2023

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

We introduced the MSAT in 2014 which has since been further developed and fully utilised supporting organisations with systematic ways of assessing medicines safety and assurance. Background National…

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 referrals more than doubled, with 42 GP practices actively…

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 aligned with the ICS’s objectives, demonstrating their commitment to…

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 (ICBs) ledger builds, delivering all implementations on time with…

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 helped to raise awareness of NHS Midlands and Lancashire’s…

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 reconfiguration project, which was essential for commissioner assurance and…

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 a significant positive impact of the physiotherapy pilot programme…

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 risks, assuring quality by making recommendations, and developing a…

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) Plan, driving digital transformation and delivering exceptional value to…

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 recommendations aligned with best practices, resulting in improved quality…

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, resulting in improved risk and incident management for the…

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 care models based on best practices for frailty, long-term…

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 existing digital tools and implementing a service redesign which…

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 resources for COPD patients and maximise value within limited…

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 off-site working, allowing our people to shape how we…

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 the NHS smoking cessation service and contribute efficiently towards…

3 March 2023

Developing shared values for a new PCN

We helped a primary care network create and establish a new set of shared meaningful values developed by staff as part of their organisational development plan. Background Bridgedale…

26 January 2023

Using automation to reduce waiting lists across two ICSs

Using a combination of automated chatbot, robotic process automation and human call agents, we helped trusts within two integrated care systems (ICSs) contact over 80% of their waiting…

15 August 2022

Improving health outcomes using our population health management tool

Using our population health management tool, we have helped identify people with clinical and social issues across Lancashire and South Cumbria, enabling early interventions to improve health outcomes.…

2 August 2022

Implementing financial reporting tools at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust

Our support has resulted in a significant improvement in the quality of financial information held. Background The Finance Department at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust required…

22 July 2022

Pharmacy support to Lancashire and South Cumbria COVID-19 vaccination programme

We provided insight to clinical enquiries, produced reports and worked to develop standard operating procedures to help improve patient safety and increase access to the vaccine in Lancashire…

20 July 2022

Improving high-dose opioid prescribing

We helped Greater Preston and Chorley & South Ribble Clinical Commissioning Groups significantly reduce high-dose opioid prescribing, bringing it into line with evidence-based recommendations. Background There is no…

18 July 2022

Cost saving and wider expertise with HR services at scale

We provide a centralised HR function to five integrated care boards which ensures that better quality and a wider breadth of HR services are provided at a lower…

8 July 2022

Digitally enabling blood pressure monitoring at home

We helped the Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care System increase patients measuring their blood pressure at home, delivering a major digital transformation within primary care which became the…

7 July 2022

Improving medicines safety in Wirral care homes

Our medicines management and optimisation team improved safety and care for elderly Wirral care home residents, helped to prevent falls and hospital admissions, and saved costs. Background Nationally,…

1 July 2022

Facilitating wellbeing conversations with health and care staff: Be Well Midlands

We helped health and care leaders in the Midlands to take a transparent, collaborative approach to uncovering opportunities for improvement in staff health and wellbeing and creating an…

1 June 2022

Enabling remote healthcare monitoring in Black Country and West Birmingham

We designed and implemented a programme of transformation to enable remote monitoring across healthcare in the Black Country and West Birmingham health system. Background In 2021, NHS England…

27 May 2022

Improving care for people with learning disabilities and autism

We codesigned and delivered a transformation programme for the improvement of care for people with learning disabilities and/or autism. Background NHS England and NHS Improvement set out key…

24 May 2022

Achieving the best from primary care network pharmacy teams

We provided a tailored package of strategic and operational support to a newly formed pharmacy team at a primary care network, helping them increase the rate of structured…

18 May 2022

Discovering efficiencies and service improvements in Leicestershire

We helped an NHS trust analyse and visualise data on key performance indicators with the aim of releasing efficiencies and to assess inequalities in service provision on a…

17 May 2022

Recovering hospital utility costs

We are helping hospital trusts identify the potential to recover energy costs from telecom devices mounted on the roofs of their buildings. Background NHS hospital buildings in England…

10 May 2022

COVID-19 vaccine safety at primary care network vaccination centres

We ensured that vaccination centres functioned with safety at the highest level by training staff and providing ongoing senior pharmaceutical support. Background When the COVID-19 vaccination programme began,…

25 April 2022

Helping a COVID-19 vaccination programme provide an efficient and equitable service

Our business intelligence experts helped the Lancashire and South Cumbria COVID-19 Vaccination Programme to provide an efficient and equitable service. Background The Lancashire and South Cumbria COVID-19 vaccination…

7 April 2022

Informing COVID-19 vaccination centres’ geographical planning

Our dynamic heat maps showed where vaccine uptake was lower, where there was a higher concentration of social care providers and other population analyses by different criteria to…

5 April 2022

Increasing the uptake of health checks for patients with severe mental illness

We helped integrated care systems increase numbers of annual physicals health checks for patients with severe mental illness by finding and implementing suitable technology to enable healthcare staff…

4 April 2022

Helping North Staffordshire Trust pay suppliers

We quickly mobilised financial services helping an NHS Trust to process and pay supplier invoices. Background In April 2021, a cohort of learning disabilities and mental health patient…

31 March 2022

Integrating data for the Combined Intelligence for Population Health Action (CIPHA) platform

We helped key stakeholders in the Cheshire and Merseyside health system see combined intelligence reports on capacity and demand for health services, allowing them to respond to COVID-19…

22 March 2022

Support to tackle bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace

We facilitated the design of and implemented a bespoke online tool to make it easier for staff to report bullying, harassment and discrimination Background ‘Your Voice: Report and…

18 March 2022

Success in setting up community pharmacy services

We helped commissioners with medicines management expertise in setting up and maintaining community pharmacy services, freeing up capacity across primary care. Background The Birmingham and Black Country Clinical…

15 March 2022

Embedding equalities and inclusive decision making in the LLR system

We helped an integrated care system implement a framework for making decisions that addresses bias and improves how equality is considered from the outset of decisions and proposals. …

10 March 2022

Improving equity and equality in maternity and neonatal care

We combined national metrics and local NHS, council and third sector data to help health systems understand where there are inequalities within local services. Background There was a…

2 March 2022

Improving use of medicines across Merseyside – Pan Mersey Area Prescribing Committee

We had another successful year in 2020/21 at the Pan Mersey Area Prescribing Committee promoting the safe and efficient use of medicines and completing a series of medicines…

11 February 2022

Assessing demand for COVID-19 LAMP testing

We helped an integrated care system to evaluate demand and capacity for COVID-19 LAMP testing to ensure labs could meet the need for routine staff testing. Background The…

7 February 2022

Evaluating the national Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes programme

We evaluated the impact of the national Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes programme. Background The national Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes (MOCH) programme (2019-21) supported 336 pharmacists and…

7 February 2022

Taking an integrated approach to equality and inclusion planning

We helped the council and clinical commissioning group in Trafford to develop a joint five-year equality, diversity and inclusion strategy. Background Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Trafford…

4 February 2022

Leading a hospital transformation programme

We developed a strategic outline case setting out the ambitions and next steps in one of the NHS’s largest hospital transformation programmes. Background The Transformation Unit at NHS…

2 February 2022

Incontinence medication reviews offer major patient benefits

We enabled medication reviews of patients with long-term prescriptions for urinary incontinence medication which enabled clinicians to recommend ‘drug holidays’. Background The long-term prescribing of anticholinergic drugs, used…

2 February 2022

Boosting GP community pharmacy consultations

Our work supporting implementation of the GP Community Pharmacy Consultation Service in the East of England led to a significant increase in practices referring patients with minor ailments…

28 January 2022

Improving health and wellbeing for NHS workers

We developed resources and videos and provided expert advice and evaluation to help NHS England and Improvement gather, develop and outline a wide range of wellbeing support options…

27 January 2022

Supporting redesign of acute services

Our Transformation Unit helped develop a new model of care for acute services at a health and social care partnership alliance. Background Cheshire East Partnership is an alliance…

25 January 2022

Using automation to reduce waiting lists

We have helped a hospital trust to tackle the backlog of waiting lists while maintaining quality of care by using a combination of chatbot, risk stratification and artificial intelligence.…

21 January 2022

Ensuring a COVID-19 vaccination programme met the Public Sector Equality Duty

Our experts ensured that the Lancashire and South Cumbria Vaccination Programme met the Public Sector Equality Duty. Background Lancashire and South Cumbria (LSC) Vaccination Programme Board requested support…

20 January 2022

Advancing engagement and shared learning for COVID-19 support programme

We helped deliver the strategic engagement and created opportunities for shared learning in the development of a national programme of Community Champions supporting risk groups with COVID-19. Background…

19 January 2022

Supporting development of national digital strategies

Our Transformation Unit was commissioned by NHSX to support in the development of its national digital strategies for ambulance, community, dentistry, optometry and community pharmacy sectors. Background There…

14 January 2022

Supporting infection prevention and control with analytics

We analysed data and provided insight which informed a national programme for improving infection prevention and control about where to focus support to reduce infection levels. Background Following…

11 January 2022

Making a difference through Equality, Health Inequality Impact & Risk Assessments

Our Equality & Inclusion Team supported development of a hot hub service managing COVID patients in Leicestershire. Background At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic Leicester, Leicestershire &…

11 January 2022

Identifying and providing efficiencies for a mental health trust

Our finance experts helped North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust to find significant savings. Background North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust provides a range of mental health services…

10 January 2022

Meeting pandemic demand for oxygen and ventilators

Staff from across the NHS Midlands and Lancashire (NHS ML) was deployed to support a national programme for oxygen, ventilation, medical devices and clinical consumables which ensured that…

23 November 2021

Supporting infection prevention and control safety during COVID-19

We managed a programme of implementing infection prevention and control safety principles to reduce infection rates and provide better access to services during the pandemic. Background During the…

22 November 2021

Saving time in the core invoicing process

We saved time from data processing by introducing a new tool to streamline data entry when invoicing key customers. Background NHS Midlands and Lancashire used a manual process…

3 November 2021

Financial process automation saving up to 50 hours per month

Our Corporate Finance team has saved up to 50 hours per month in financial reporting and invoicing after introducing robotic process automation to some transactional finance processes. Background…

29 October 2021

Data warehouse cuts financial reporting time in half

We reduced the time it takes to process essential financial planning templates by 50% and established a data warehouse for financial reporting. Background Previously, the financial planning process…

20 October 2021

Better efficiency in uploading the financial forecast

We halved the time it takes to load the financial forecast into the ledger and reduced the risk of errors. Background NHS Midlands and Lancashire used a manual…

20 August 2021

Supporting a successful launch of proxy medicines ordering

Our Medicines Management and Optimisation team worked with the Black Country and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group, GP practices and care homes on a successful project to increase…

11 August 2021

Quick and easy patient referrals for post-Covid illness

Our Data Quality team developed a custom data input template to streamline referrals of patient with post-Covid illness, saving time and effort for clinicians, improving access for patients…

19 July 2021

UBook transforms room booking at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust

We created a single online system which allows staff at Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust to book desks, meeting rooms and clinic rooms. UBook really came…

30 June 2021

Using expertise to help the Sue Ryder charity improve its medicines management

NHS ML supported the Sue Ryder charity to improve its management and governance of medicines Background The Sue Ryder charitable organisation has a portfolio of 10 services, one…

30 June 2021

Improvement Unit leads work to transform NHS continuing healthcare across England

NHS Midlands and Lancashire’s Improvement Unit set up and managed a successful programme management office (PMO) for the National NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC) Strategic Improvement Programme. Background NHS…

30 June 2021

Helping health and care services across Cheshire and Merseyside to plan five-year programme of improvements

NHS Midlands and Lancashire (NHS ML) are proud to have supported Cheshire and Merseyside Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) with development of their five-year strategy. Background NHS ML’s…

24 June 2021

Responding to the challenge of discharging patients during COVID-19

The COVID-19 outbreak placed an unprecedented strain on the health and social care system. A coordinated and well-managed response by NHS Midlands and Lancashire and adam has meant…

24 June 2021

Working with partners to create a faster, more efficient payment system for joint-funded care packages

The objective of the project was to streamline payments for joint funded packages between NHS Midlands and Lancashire (NHS ML) and Staffordshire County Council by moving to a…

23 June 2021

Improving the process for managing domiciliary care placements

We introduced a brand-new management process for domiciliary care placements to benefit both patients and providers, successfully implementing provision across Staffordshire. Background Clinical commissioning groups in Staffordshire wanted to…

23 June 2021

NHS Digital Weight Management Programme uses technology to help hard-to-reach patient groups

We strongly believe that improving patient experience is at the heart of all that we do. In creating the weight management referral hub, we have embraced a person-centred…

22 June 2021

Rapid recruitment and training of expert CHC nurses to tackle the assessment backlog caused by…

Our programme helped the NHS to restore, recover and renew following the enormous disruption caused by COVID-19. It has created a blueprint for future recruitment and retention of…

22 June 2021

Boosting consultation and engagement through accessibility friendly innovation: Digital easy-read surveys

By producing easy-read versions of our questionnaires we can improve participation in our engagement and consultation exercises with people who would otherwise be put off by longer, more…

21 June 2021

Providing rapid recruitment services to NHS trusts in support of COVID-19 vaccination drive

Our work supported the recruitment of the bank and volunteer staff working at vaccination centres, at a time of high pressure in the NHS when work volumes were…

9 June 2021

Providing Media Management Training for CCG Senior Leaders

Background – When NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) became a single organisation, a need for media training was identified to ensure all members had…

9 June 2021

Stepping in to support strategic public health communications during the pandemic

Background – As part of the ongoing response to the Coronavirus pandemic, St Helens Borough Council and NHS St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) identified an increased need…

9 June 2021

Providing a Central Integrated Care System Media Office

Background – Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership (HCP) is an integrated care system where there is a collaborative partnership of local authority, NHS and community…

9 June 2021

An accessible approach to explaining deaths of people with learning disabilities

Background – The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent CCGs’ Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) annual report 2019/20 was not written with the public in mind. We were asked to produce…

9 June 2021

Managing an acute trust’s annual report from start to finish – during the pandemic

Background – The Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust asked us to project manage their 2020/21 annual report and to showcase their achievements in a public summary.…

9 June 2021

Summarising a complex and high-profile consultation

Background – The North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) requested support to summarise a complex public consultation about improving community-based services. NHS Midlands and Lancashire’s (NHS…

21 May 2021

Clearing a 5,000-patient backlog of continuing healthcare assessments

We worked in partnership with local authorities to successfully complete retrospective assessments of individuals supported via COVID-19 funding arrangements during the suspension of the NHS Continuing Healthcare Framework.…

10 May 2021

Coordinating five CSUs to support national CCG mergers programme

We led a collaboration between the five care system support services in England to provide a range of programme management, project management and organisational change support, assisting the…

7 May 2021

Trailblazers in the North West help implement patient-clinician shared decision-making

We have been helping the recovery of elective care activity in the North West region, using innovative techniques to support engagement with NHS trusts for the national programme…

27 April 2021

Building a low-cost high-value website for GP surgeries

Using our website design tool, PrimaryWeb, and our tailored support, a GP partnership developed a purpose-built website to bring the services, guidance and stories of four practices all…

23 April 2021

Supporting the outpatient transformation programme in North East and Yorkshire

Our Improvement Unit supported the implementation of the outpatient transformation programme, optimising virtual consultations, increasing the rollout of patient initiated follow up and mapping data from lessons learnt…

21 April 2021

Providing workforce resource and expert pharmacy support to Nightingale hospital

We successfully redeployed two existing members of staff at short notice to provide pharmacy onsite support at Manchester’s NHS Nightingale Hospital North West. Background The Nightingale Hospital North…

19 April 2021

Rapidly developing a bespoke booking system for flu jabs

We developed a tailored booking solution for Wirral University Teaching Hospital’s staff flu jab programme when COVID-19 made it unsafe to run the usual drop-in sessions with people…

26 March 2021

Mobilising a “Gold Command Room” to ease system pressure

We set up a “Gold Command Room” in collaboration with partners from across the Lancashire and South Cumbria health system, to provide tactical and analytical support and ease…

25 March 2021

Supporting the deployment of interim scheduling software for COVID-19 vaccinations

We facilitated the implementation of SimplyBook, an interim solution for COVID-19 vaccinations scheduling, until the national system was operational. Background When NHS England and Improvement set an ambitious…

25 March 2021

Managing local delivery of the national vaccination programme

We provided programme and project management support to implement the national COVID-19 vaccination programme in Herefordshire, Worcestershire and the Black Country, establishing over 50 vaccination centres. Background Commissioning…

9 March 2021

Improving medicines safety in care homes

Through structured medication reviews, we supported the proactive management of individual care home patients needs, saving over £149,000 in drug costs and on average 62 GP appointments per…

18 February 2021

Using chatbot technology to improve referral management

Using chatbot technology for our referral management service has resulted in increased efficiency and a better experience for patients. Background Our Referral Management Centre (RMC) makes bookings when…

8 February 2021

Enabling two Merseyside based CCGs to block book beds with ease

We helped our clients in Merseyside to identify and commission the most appropriate block contract of intermediate care beds, reaching a decision on a provider in less than…

3 February 2021

Improving Hard to Source Items (HTSI) supply chain resilience during COVID-19 surge

Following the COVID-19 surge in demand for clinical consumables and services, we were tasked with finding alternative ways to procure hard to source items such as masks, filters,…