Heartbeat: Pioneer teams kick start engagement drive
August 1, 2019
Nine teams have embarked on a six month journey to improvement engagement within their teams.
The teams are part of the weconnect Pioneer programme which launched in June this year.
Speaking to Heartbeat, Ruth Wilkin, Director of Communications said: “The weconnect Pioneer programme is a tried and tested approach already used in several NHS organisations. Our aim is to improve how happy, motivated and involved people are within their workplace and this programme helps us to do just that.
“The pioneer teams are receiving help and support from their HR business partner, a specially trained Connector and an Executive Director sponsor.
“It is a real opportunity for the teams to listen, learn and make improvements to their working lives.”
To kick off the programme all the teams were asked to take part in a survey to assess how they feel about working in their team or service. Team leads are now in the process of feeding back the findings and have started to work together with colleagues to put in place action plans. A second survey will follow at the end of the programme to see whether the activities they have set up have made a difference to how people feel about their job and team.
Theatres are one of the teams taking part in the programme. Heartbeat caught up with Matrons, Louisa Adams, she said: “This programme has come at an ideal time for us as we work to move away from having three distinct teams, to having the ethos of one team that works across sites.
“Colleagues are excited about being part of the programme and have really embraced it at the recent QIHD when we presented the findings of the first survey. The programme gives us a platform to improve engagement and the activities we will set up should give colleagues control and influence over how they work and continue to provide a high quality service to our patients.
“There is plenty of opportunity to raise concerns and share ideas to provide high quality care. Our aim is to be a gold standard, national centre of excellence. The weconnect Pioneer programme will help and support us on that journey.”
Also taking part is the estates team. Speaking of behalf the team, Head of Estates, Steve Lawley told Heartbeat: “The estates and new hospital directorate is looking forward to being involved in the pioneer team cohort to develop closer internal team relationships and improve the integration of estates, car parking, catering, waste and the new hospital project team.
“An additional driver is to standardise and improve our processes to enhance the quality of our service for our customers and to create time in the working day/week for our staff to reflect, train, share and increase knowledge.”