On 23 September 2026, NELFT celebrated the graduates of Cohort 23 of the Quality Improvement Facilitator Programme.

Across ten projects, colleagues used data and the experiences of patients, carers and staff to understand problems, test changes and learn what works. Supported by Improvement Advisers from the QI team, they have tackled challenges affecting access, safety, experience and staff development. Some projects have shown promising early results whilst others are continuing to test and measure their changes.

Their work reflects our Trust values: we are kind, we are respectful, and we work together with our communities. Congratulations to all our Cohort 23 graduates!

 

Adeola Kukuspecial and Emma-Ruth Codrington — School nursing drop-ins

Adeola and Emma-Ruth investigated why so few young people appeared to be using school nursing drop-ins in Barking and Dagenham. They found gaps in how attendance was recorded and listened to pupils about what would help them use the service. Their next tests will focus on making the drop-ins more visible to young people.

Adeola & Emma QI Storyboard.pptx [pptx] 3MB

 

Caroline Stevens and Edwill Hove — Access to therapy at Mayfield ward

Caroline and Edwill listened to patients, families and staff about the experience of people admitted to Mayfield through the out-of-criteria pathway. They tested offering therapy according to each person’s needs. Early results show improved access to therapy for a small group of patients; the team will continue to monitor patient experience and whether the change lasts.

Caroline Stevens & Edwill Hove - QI Storyboard.pptx [pptx] 3MB

 

Elaine Detheridge — Responding to complaints in Waltham Forest

Elaine worked with colleagues and a complainant to map the complaints process and understand delays. She introduced a rota to make the allocation of investigating officers clearer. The response-time aim has not yet been met, and the project is helping the team identify what else needs to change.

Elaine Detheridge - QI storyboard.pptx [pptx] 3MB

 

Gift Edison — Meaningful engagement on Kahlo ward

Gift worked with patients and colleagues to test activities, a calm space and better communication about what was available on Kahlo ward. Early data show a fall in the proportion of incidents linked to boredom and dysregulation. The team is continuing to monitor engagement and incidents as it embeds the changes in everyday ward practice.

Gift Edison - QI Storyboard.pptx [pptx] 3MB

 

Ketna Mistry — Referrals to intermediate care therapy

Ketna, working with Maduri Ratnayake and Carina Locke, addressed incomplete and inappropriate GP referrals to the Barking and Dagenham Intermediate Care Therapy service. The team tested guidance for referrers and improved how referrals are measured. Early indications of progress are being monitored to establish whether the change is sustained.

Ketna Mistry - QI Storyboard.pptx [pptx] 3MB

 

Michael Chigango — Reducing referral-to-triage waits

Michael and the Waltham Forest Mental Health Wellness Team Central tested clearer daily oversight, an action tracker, text messages and visible caller identification to improve the triage process. The project reports shorter waits. The team will continue to check that the improvement is sustained and help other local teams test what works in their settings.

Michael Chigango - QI Storyboard.pptx [pptx] 2MB

 

Neera Dhir — Increasing apprenticeship opportunities

Neera explored why staff and managers found apprenticeship routes difficult to navigate. She tested a short guide for managers and clearer communications about opportunities. The work has improved visibility of apprenticeships; the team will continue to track whether it leads to more colleagues starting them.

Neera Dhir - QI Storyboard.pptx [pptx] 3MB

 

Folashade Ahmed — Reducing respiratory virtual ward readmissions

Folashade worked with respiratory colleagues to test earlier follow-up and more coordinated support after discharge from the respiratory virtual ward. Early testing recorded fewer readmissions. The team will continue to monitor 90-day readmissions and patient feedback to understand whether that improvement lasts.

Folashade Ahmed - QI Storyboard.pptx [pptx] 3MB

 

Shruti Ghose and Akintayo Akinwunmi — Referrals to pulmonary rehabilitation

Shruti and Akintayo worked with GP and respiratory colleagues to improve understanding of who can benefit from Redbridge’s pulmonary rehabilitation service and how to refer. Following training for referrers, early data show an increased proportion of appropriate referrals. The team will keep testing and measuring as it builds those relationships.

Shruti & Tayo - QI Storyboard.pptx [pptx] 3MB

 

Wasam Tarar — Learning from pharmacy near misses

Wasam worked with pharmacy colleagues to strengthen near-miss reporting and test more consistent dispensing processes. The recorded near-miss rate fell during testing. The team will continue to check that reporting remains reliable, particularly when workload is high, and share its learning with other pharmacy services.

Wasam Tarar - QI Storyboard.pptx [pptx] 3MB