Innovative projects celebrated
INNOVATIVE projects making a real difference to health and social care in Wales were celebrated last week at an event in the Senedd.
Bevan Exemplars are health and care staff from across NHS Wales who are supported by the Bevan Commission think-tank to develop and test their own ideas.
They do this over and above their day job, showing a commitment at the front line to transform the quality of health and care for everyone across Wales.
Over 12 months the commission has supported 37 projects that have improved health, care and patient experiences, and demonstrated the best use of skills and resources.
This takes the overall number of successful projects delivered since the Exemplars programme was established in 2015 to over 200 – all of which are making a real difference at grassroots level whether in primary care, the community or hospitals across all areas of Wales.
All of the projects were shared at an event in the Senedd on January 16 which was attended by more than 150 people including NHS leaders, AMs, front-line health and care professionals and academic researchers.
First Minister Mark Drakeford and Health Minister Vaughan Gething attended the event to offer their personal congratulations to the Exemplars.
Professor Sir Mansel Aylward, chairman of the Bevan Commission, said: “We are proud to showcase the work of our Bevan Exemplars who are turning radical ideas into reality to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Wales.
“It’s been clear to the Bevan Commission for some time that the major challenges faced by the NHS call for thinking and doing things differently.
“Our Exemplars have taken the time, commitment and courage to do just that, putting their heads above the parapet to drive through ambitious projects that make a real difference to patient experiences and health outcomes.”
The Commission believes that it is the people in the system and those who use it who are best-placed to make changes that will deliver improved quality and sustainable health and care.
Projects in the cohort have produced some inspirational changes such as:
■ developing a programme in partnership with patients, NHS educators and continence nurse specialists (CNS) to help people with incontinence, support early intervention, prevent longterm complications and unplanned admissions to hospital (Hywel Dda University Health Board);
■ developing an app that was designed, following patient feedback, to guide patients who have had breast or axillary surgery for breast cancer through exercises aiming to maintain shoulder function and allow them to get into position for radiotherapy. This has led to a decrease in urgent referrals to physiotherapy (Cardiff and Vale University Health Board);
■ improving safeguarding of patients in primary care by developing a group to share best practice, to prevent harm through early intervention and promoting wellbeing (Aneurin Bevan University Health Board);
■ transforming the care of the walking wounded by developing a trauma ambulatory care unit that enables patients to be treated safely and appropriately on the same day, avoiding admission to a hospital bed (Cardiff and Vale University Health Board).
Professor Nick Rich, from Swansea University School of Management, provided an independent evaluation of the programme which demonstrated an 84% success rate for projects.
This compares favourably to a 30% success rate for equivalent change or innovation projects in NHS England.
His evaluation also showed that 96% of the Exemplars’ ideas were considered innovative and 96% of the projects were totally aligned to Welsh Government objectives and prudent healthcare.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “The Bevan Exemplars programme is leading the way in supporting innovative projects throughout the health service in Wales.
“The ongoing success of the programme shows the value it brings to people in Wales and how our longterm plan for health and social care – A Healthier Wales – is being made a reality.”