RCPCH EQIP 2023-2024 training wave 4 is open for registrations

Do you want to improve the quality of care in your service but struggle to know where to even start?

The RCPCH Epilepsy Quality Improvement programme (EQIP) is back and seeking applications from paediatric epilepsy teams in England to participate in a new wave of EQIP. Following the success of our 2022-2023 training wave, the new 2023-2024 programme will once again provide paediatric epilepsy teams with practical training and support to help uncover the gaps in service provision and develop interventions that meet their specific needs.

Dates for your diary

Application deadline EXTENSION: Monday 9 October 2023, 5pm

Training event in-person kicks off: 20 October 2023 from 10:00 – 16:30, London

How does it work

Teams will be provided with QI training that is delivered by an expert QI trainer/facilitator, beginning with a face-to face training event. You will get to meet our project team and network with other paediatric epilepsy teams from different regions. The programme offers a schedule of monthly bitesize training videos followed by 40 min virtual lunch time training webinars, and access to the EQIP website which hosts a wealth of digital and recorded resources to help you on your journey. Teams will be provided with monthly coaching in the format of 1:1 time with the QI facilitators in support of teams achieving their project goals. If your whole team cannot attend the training event on 20 October 2023, please still apply.

One day face to face training and coaching

Training will be kicked off with a face-to face event:

When: 20 October 2023

Time: 10:00 – 16:30

Venue: Royal Society of Medicine, 1 Wimpole Street, London, W1G 0AE

Cost: Free

One the day activities

On the day, teams will get the opportunity to meet our project team and network with other paediatric epilepsy teams from different regions. The programme offers interactive QI training sessions, including fun action learning sets – breaking those silo barriers.  Paediatric service teams will be encouraged to work together to identify gaps and find sustainable improvements that will be tried and tested over the eight-month programme.

Teams will begin planning and using QI tools to help support and refine their local improvement projects. By the end of the training day, each team will be left energised and with a plan of action to move forward with your projects.

Monthly training schedule

The programme offers a schedule of monthly bitesize training videos followed by 40 min virtual lunch time training webinars, and access to the EQIP website which hosts a wealth of digital and recorded resources to help you on your journey

Monthly support and coaching

Teams will be provided with monthly coaching in the format of 1:1 time with the QI facilitators in support of teams achieving their project goals

EQIP champions

Each team have the opportunity to nominate an EQIP champion. This person motivates the team between learning sessions, reports on progress to the trainers, represents their team at monthly support calls, updates the facilitator on their team’s progress and shares additional advice or encouragement with their team.  Due to the number of teams within the ICS structures, more than one EQIP champion will need to be nominated  to provide team progress updates.

Programme benefits

The RCPCH EQIP has already supported over 25 paediatric epilepsy service teams to identify sustainable improvements within their service clinics for children and young people with epilepsy. The RCPCH EQIP will provide QI training free of charge, practical, hands-on training and comprehensive support helping you to:

• Achieve new skills and knowledge on QI methodology and how to make incremental changes,
• Gain a greater understanding of how to become a high-performing, cohesive team,
• Develop lasting sustainable practices that will help to maintain improvements within your paediatric epilepsy service,
• Learn new approaches and how to engage effectively with patients and families,
• Network and share learning with other teams in England and Wales in a safe learning space,
• Showcase your achievements via the EQIP end of programme shared learning event, RCPCH events and other channels.

Access a number of recorded presentations of the projects completed by the previous wave of EQIP teams which includes topics on:

• Improve planning and development of transition to adult services,
• Mental health wellbeing signposting and patient information packs for patients/their families,
• SUDEP risk,
• Developing an integrated care pathway and increasing specialist input,
• Reduce wait times for first seizure patients.

Integrated Care Systems (ICS) applicants, can access shared learning from QI projects completed by the the West Yorkshire & Harrogate Health and Care Partnership ICS and South Yorkshire ICB QI journey on working collaboratively to achieve improvements within the first year of care for first seizure patients.

What are we asking of you?

Team commitment is required over the course of the programme. We encourage a multi-disciplinary whole-team approach to service improvement and recommend teams include multi-discipline team members within their application who can devote 1-2 hours of their time per week to work on team projects. To begin working cohesively team members are advised to arrange regular team meetings during the course of the programme.

Individual Trust level team specification

• It is important that the whole executive team have the capacity to attend initial in-person training day and end of programme event.
• At least 80% of team should attend the subsequent monthly training webinars and support team meetings.
• All participant team members are required to register on the EQIP microsite website to access course videos and information.
• Monthly progress reports from teams will be used as part of the summative assessment of the programme and a mandatory part of course completion.
• ICB/ICS Clinical Lead and ICB/ICS project manager/coordinator should be informed of your application to participate in the EQIP and agree help as a source with overcoming barriers and building relationships with other Trust healthcare depts, local and community services. We advise they should be invited to the training day and end of programme events to facilitate their required support.

ICB/ICS team specification

• Multiple teams can apply from the ICB/ICS and form one team working on one topic of improvement.
• The ICB Clinical Lead and ICB project manager/coordinator should be included within the application.
• Team commitment is required over the course of the programme.
• We encourage a multi-disciplinary whole-team approach to service improvement and recommend service level teams include multi-discipline team members within their application who can devote 1-2 hours of their time per week to work on team projects.
• To begin working cohesively team members are advised to arrange regular team meetings during the course of the programme at service level or as an executive ICB team.
• It is important that the whole executive team have the capacity to attend initial in-person training day and end of programme event and monthly support meetings.
• At least 60% of the service level team should attend the subsequent monthly training webinars.
• All participant team members are required to register on the EQIP microsite website to access course videos and information.
• Monthly progress reports from the team will be used as part of the summative assessment of the programme and a mandatory part of course completion.

To sign up for the virtual drop in sessions email our team at eqip@rcpch.ac.uk to access the joining details for the session.

To register for the EQIP programme, download and complete the application form either as a Trust or as an ICS (separate forms are provided) then submit it via email at eqip@rcpch.ac.uk by the application deadline extended to: Monday 9 October 2023, 5pm