Beyond the Toolkit: Leading Quality Improvement in Health and Social Care

There is increasing recognition within the NHS that quality improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, Theory of Constraints, and Experienced Based Co-design can significantly improve patient flow, patient pathways, clinical and administrative processes, and financial savings. Given the pressures on the NHS in terms of shrinking funding, ageing demographics, technology, and increasing patient demand, helping those on the front line understand how to use QI methodologies well is vital. This book argues that success comes only through paying attention to and integrating QI toolkits and methods with the contextual, relational, and personal leadership domains. Beyond the Toolkit shares real-life stories told by NHS leaders who have been Fellows on GenerationQ. In sharing their stories, the book answers some of the many questions Leaders often have when wanting to introduce and benefit from QI methods.