There is an increasing focus on improving healthcare in order to ensure higher quality, greater access, improved value for money and ultimately to ensure that we put our Service Users at the front of everything that we do. 

Our Trust has adopted the Virginia Mason Production System (VMPS) approach to establish an effective and productive Quality Improvement method delivered through our Quality Improvement Team.

The aim of the Quality Improvement (QI) Training Programme is to provide you with an understanding and appreciation of the methods which could be used to analyse and improve quality within your working environment.

Designed and delivered by an experienced Certified Leader or Coach in VMPS, the course(s) provide you with the knowledge and skills to be able to identify and implement Quality Improvement initiatives.

‘When you go out into the workplace, you should be looking for things that you can do for your people there. You’ve got no business in the workplace if you’re just there to be there. You’ve got to be looking for changes you can make for the benefit of the people who are working there.’ 

- Taiichi Ohno

Training Overview

Would you like to understand why the Trust is embracing ‘Lean’? Do you want to see how you can improve processes in your service in order to enhance our service users’ experience in the Trust? Do you want to be part of the Trust’s Quality Improvement programme and have a say in what we focus on? If the answer is ‘yes’ to any of the above, then this course has been designed to meet your needs.

How will this training help me?

The aim of 1st Steps training is to provide you with awareness and understanding of the Trust’s approach to Lean and the modules which will help facilitate process improvement. This is a foundation level of training and provides you with an overview of the essentials for continuous process improvement. 

What the training will cover?

Throughout this training you will:

  • Be introduced to Lean using the Virginia Mason Production System (VMPS) model
  • Understand the basic concepts of Lean
  • Understand the framework of our Lean/Quality Improvement model
  • Understand how to make process improvement in a controlled manner
  • Try out the various modules and tools in context of your working environment with the support of a Certified Leader in VMPS.

Target audience

Open to all bands/grades in both clinical and non-clinical teams.

Duration

Half day (Training delivery)

Some of the topics covered are:

  • 5S
  • Visual Control
  • Set up Reduction
  • Mistake Proofing
  • Continuous Flow

This training runs throughout the year with cohorts of up to 20 students.

Will I receive an accreditation? 

No associated academic credit, however a Certificate of Attendance will be presented to you at the end of the course. You will also be awarded with ‘QI Academy Member’ status. 

How to apply

In the first instance, discuss with your Line Manager. After the discussion, email the Quality Improvement Team at qit@mpft.nhs.uk. The Team will then contact you with a schedule of the dates and venues at which this course is available.

We welcome applications from teams as well as individuals, and we can deliver the training across all our Trust locations.

Training Overview

As a leader in the organisation do you want to be able to support your team to embrace Lean to improve processes in your service? Are you keen to lead on a project within your own work area in order to enhance service users’ experience? Do you want to be part of the Trust Quality Improvement Programme and have a say in what we focus on? If the answer is ‘yes’ to the above, then this course is for you!

How will this training help me?

The aim of the LQI training is to provide you with the tools/knowledge and skills to support your team in implementing improvements using the Trust’s approach to Lean. This level of training will provide you with the tools and skills to be able to make improvements within your own area and to support your team to be able to continuously improve processes. 

What the training will cover?

Throughout this training you will:

  • Be introduced to Lean using the Virginia Mason Production System (VMPS) model
  • Explore the context and influences upon the changing health and social care environment and the importance of efficiency and quality improvements
  • Analyse and evaluate lean production and improvement methods
  • Undertake a project within your own area with the support of a Certified Leader in VMPS using lean methods to improve an area of you service, implement the improvement project, and evaluate and report on the success of the project, ensuring continued sustainability.

Target audience  

Any Leader/Manager who is passionate about making change happen. 

Duration and number of study days 

4 days over 2/3 months, with a report out of the LQI project on day 4. This course runs 2-3 times per year, with a cohort of between 10-15 students.

Topics/modules included

  • Lean Production Overview
  • Information Flow Mapping
  • Visual Control
  • World Class Management
  • 5S
  • Mistake Proofing
  • Set Up Reduction
  • Standard Operations
  • Measuring progress
  • Introduction to projects
  • Continuous Flow
  • Aeroplane exercise
  • Additional support/help available
  • Preparation for report out 

Will I receive an accreditation?

No associated academic credit, however a Certificate of Attendance will be presented to you at the end of the course. Additionally, upon reporting out at 90 days with sustained improvements, you will be awarded with ‘QI Academy Fellow’ status.

How to apply 

In the first instance discuss with your Line Manager. After the discussion, email the Quality Improvement Team qit@mpft.nhs.uk. The team will then contact you with an application form and a schedule of the dates/venues at which this course is available.

You will require the support of a ‘Sponsor’ from your Directorate, usually a Director, Head of Operations or Clinical and Care Director. You will also be assigned a mentor for the duration of the training and project completion, a Certified Leader from the Trust.

Training Overview

As a senior leader in the organisation do you want to be able to facilitate and/ or sponsor improvement events using Lean to improve processes in the Trust?  Are you keen to lead the way in rolling out VMPS across the organisation in order to enhance service users’ experience?  Do you want to be part of the Trust’s Quality Improvement Programme and help set the strategic direction?  If the answer is ‘yes’ to the above, then this course is for you!

How will this training help me?

The aim of the Certified Leader training is to provide you with an in-depth understanding of tools and techniques to remove waste from processes, increasing quality and adding value from a service user perspective.  This training approach is training leaders to be teachers. 

What the training will cover?

Throughout this training you will:

  • Be taught all 19 Virginia Mason Production System (VMPS) for Healthcare Model modules over a period of 4 days
  • Demonstrate your understanding and ability to teach others the concepts of Lean by way of a ‘module marathon’ assessment
  • Facilitate two Rapid Process Improvement Workshops (RPIWs) with support from a Certified Coach in VMPS in order to become one of the Certified Leaders in VMPS in the organisation.

Target audience

Primarily, senior leaders such as Heads of Operations, Heads of Service, Clinicians, Senior Managers, Clinical and Associate Directors.

Duration and number of study days

6 Days (4 days taught as 2 day sessions, followed by 1 day review and 1 day ‘module marathon’ assessment) over four months.

Days 1-4:

  • The Lean Production House
  • Lean Production Overview
  • Value Stream Mapping
  • World Class Management
  • Standard Operations
  • 5S
  • Set Up Reduction
  • Multi Process Operations
  • Visual Control
  • Kanban
  • PQ Analysis
  • 8 Flows of Medicine
  • Continuous Flow/Flow Stations
  • Levelling
  • Information Flow Mapping
  • Autonomous Maintenance
  • Inspection to Mistake Proofing
  • Jidoka
  • RPIW Process

Days 5-6:

  • Review of Modules/Catch up
  • Module Marathon/Assessment

Will I receive an accreditation? 

Certification which needs to be re-certified every year in order to maintain the status of Certified Leader.  Additionally, upon completing the final RPIW, you will be awarded with ‘QI Academy Master’ status.

How to apply

Speak in the first instance to your line manager and a Certified Leader from your Directorate, usually a Director, Head of Operations or Clinical Director.  This course runs once per year, with a maximum cohort of 10.

Training Contact Details