News

FoNS Blog

This week Theresa Shaw talks about staff wellbeing: if we all accept that increased staff wellbeing benefits patient care, why is self care deemed selfish? Read more …

The Inspire Improvement Fellowship Programme

We have to admit that the first cohort of Inspire Improvement Fellow is pretty impressive; they are enthusiastic, thoughtful and committed individuals who want the best for colleagues and the people they care for.

But they would be the first people to say that they are no different to most other nurses they know. And they would also say that the Inspire Improvement Fellowship is a brilliant opportunity for a frontline clinical leader; an opportunity to take that enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and commitment and use it to develop effective facilitative leadership – working with colleagues to develop a more caring workplace culture.

Please consider applying!

Visit the website for more information. 

Teaching Care Homes: Leading and Facilitating Cross-sector Collaborations Programme

Packs will be available by mid-October. If you would like to be sent a pack directly, please email [email protected]

In the meantime

• One part of the application process will involve the applicants critically reflecting on the Teaching Care Home Vision to articulate their strengths and areas for improvement/development
• Think about local partnerships, possibly a GP surgery, a hospital, a hospice, social services or university. You will need to have conversations with the partner organisation and no doubt you will have some ideas about what you want to achieve. It’s not necessary to have a fixed plan, this will develop as part of the programme. The partner organisation will need to be able to release a couple of members of staff for workshops, visits from the FoNS practice development facilitator and other joint working.
• You will need the full support of your organisations to take part in the Teaching Care Homes Programme – so if you are part of a bigger company, you will need to secure support
• You will need to meet base-line criteria, demonstrating your commitment to person-centred ways of working, innovation and learning – so you might consider what evidence you can give to support your application

The closing date will be in December 2018. Visit the website for more information

Looks Interesting

Rethinking engagement an editorial by David Gilbert via the Patient Experience Library.

Traditional methods of gathering patient feedback are "stuck in child-parent mode"

International Practice Development Journal: Call for Submissions

Why not consider publishing with the IPDJ?

• Original practice development & research
• Critical reflections on practice development
• Open access
• Peer reviewed
• No charge to publish
• Person-centred approach from the editorial team
• Support for novice writers

More information about the journal is available on the FoNS website.

FoNS Blog

Working in new ways: a blog by Inspire Improvement Fellow Ryan Rukas. Ryan used ‘Evoke’ cards in a simple but very powerful way. Read more …

Other Inspire Improvement Fellow Blogs

We’re delighted that the Inspire Improvement fellows are blogging – it’s a great way to share the work that they are doing and we know that while it may be daunting, it is a great mechanism for reflection: What have I done? What worked and what didn’t work? What have I learnt and what would be my key message for others?

Did you read…

Starting the Conversation

Amanda Baker, Clinical Manager, Low Secure Services, Bradford

The value of collaboration, inclusion and participation

Helena Brown, Ward Sister, St George’s Hospital, Stafford

Stepping out of my comfort zone and helping others do the same: “What’s it like to work round here?”

Anna Collins, Lead Nurse, Outpatients, South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre

And one from the programme lead Jo Odell:

The Inspire Improvement Fellowship 2019

Jo Odell, FoNS Practice Development Facilitator

This could be you too!

Improvement Fellowship Programme – open for applications

FoNS is looking for frontline clinical leaders with line responsibility for a team who are interested in expanding their skills in facilitating culture change and continuous improvements in care and services at the frontline of practice. The programme leader, Jo Odell, gives us a brief introduction here.

The programme offers:

• Three all-inclusive two-day residential workshops
• Workplace support from FoNS (visits, phone calls and email)
• A bursary to support your participation and programme costs

This is a fantastic learning and development opportunity.

Visit the website to find out more. Closing date 5th November 2018. 

Coming soon: new call for applications for the Teaching Care Homes Programme

In the autumn 2018, FoNS will be announcing a new call for applications for the Teaching Care Homes programme (open to all care homes in England). This year, the focus of the programme will be on enhancing cross-system partnership working (e.g. care home/acute sector services; care home/university; care home/GP practice etc.). The partnerships should intend to develop and strengthen cross-system relationships by working together towards developing and achieving shared outcomes.

Visit the website and email [email protected] to receive an application pack.

Events

Nurse Clinics 2018 Monday 19th November 2018, London

Nurse Clinics 2018 will provide specialist nurses with an opportunity to hear national updates and best practice for working at advanced practice and setting up and running nurse led clinics and services in primary, secondary and community care across a number of specialties.

NEW to this year’s conference: Nurse Clinics in Practice. These short sessions will present examples of how various established nurse led clinics work in practice, the practicalities and the challenges, and to give delegates an opportunity to meet and network with people running similar clinics to their own interests. This includes a session by FoNS Practice Development Facilitator, Jo Odell, on developing your leadership skills.

A 20% discount is available to friends and associates of FoNS by quoting ref: hcuk20fons when booking (this cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Full T&Cs available upon request). 

Visit the FoNS events page for more information.

FoNS Blog

What can we learn from the honey bee? Jo Odell considers a presentation she saw at the recent Enhancing Practice Conference in Basel. Read more …

New Improvement Insights Published

We are delighted to be publishing 6 new Improvement Insights – handy summaries of nurse-led projects and their reports.

Parent Action: enabling, advocacy, empowering

The aim was to enable parents raising children with disabilities in Northern Ireland to become more self and critically aware of their family’s situation, values, beliefs, priorities and thus be able to advocate more effectively for their children and families.

‘At the start, my main fear was sounding stupid ... now they can’t shut me up!’

‘With this group, now all supportive of each other, I feel that I can make a difference ...’

Life Stories for Wellbeing at Garden House Hospice

Enabling people at the end of life to connect and share their life stories helps them to see themselves and be seen as a person first and foremost.

‘It takes you back to who you are.’

Let's Talk about Miscarriage

The aim of the project was to understand the lived experience of women who have had an early miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy and to use this as a basis to change and improve practice. The team’s work has resulted in a wider recognition of the emotional experience of miscarriage.

Exploring health and wellbeing in prison through a peer research approach

Prisoners working as researchers undertook focus groups, questionnaires and interviews to establish the main issues affecting health and wellbeing in prison. 

Making Additional/Special Observations Meaningful for Patients Living with a Diagnosis of Dementia

This project follows the development of an ‘enhanced care team’ to ensure more person-centred care for patients with dementia and so reduce falls and incidents of aggression.

Improving the Patient Experience of Ambulatory Care in the Surgical Assessment Unit

Multiple improvements to the patient experience of ambulatory care in the surgical assessment unit including an improved waiting room environment, clearer signage, simplified documentation and the development of the role of the ambulatory nurse.

The Inspire Improvement Fellowship Programme

Calling Directors of Nursing and Matrons! Please share!

Inspired to work with FoNS? Frontline clinical leader with line responsibility for a team? Interested in expanding your skills in facilitating culture change and continuous improvements in care and services at the frontline of practice? The programme leader, Jo Odell, gives us a brief introduction here.

The programme offers:

• Three all-inclusive two-day residential workshops
• Workplace support from FoNS (visits, phone calls and email)
• A bursary to support your participation and programme costs

This is a fantastic learning and development opportunity.

Visit the website to find out more. Closing date 5th November 2018. 

Coming soon: new call for applications for the Teaching Care Homes Programme

In the autumn 2018, FoNS will be announcing a new call for applications for the Teaching Care Homes programme (open to all care homes in England). This year, the focus of the programme will be on enhancing cross-system partnership working (e.g. care home/acute sector services; care home/university; care home/GP practice etc.). The partnerships should intend to develop and strengthen cross-system relationships by working together towards developing and achieving shared outcomes.

Visit the website and email [email protected] to receive an application pack.

Last call for Sue Pembrey Nurse Leader Award nominations

Do you know an exemplary nurse leader? Someone who:

• Has a clear vison for person centred practice
• Inspires and motivates staff
• Creates a trusting and caring environment
• Promotes workplace learning and innovation
• Role models and mentors staff
• Promotes and enhances the image of nursing

If you know someone who deserves recognition and would enjoy and benefit from working with FoNS and the other awarding supporters (Professor Angie Titchen, Professor Brendan McCormack, Professor Jan Dewing (Sue Pembrey Chair of Nursing) and Professor Steven Ersser) to develop further, then it’s time to visit the FoNS website for more detailed criteria and nomination form. 

The deadline for this prestigious award is 5pm, 4th September 2018.

Self nominations also welcome.

Please think about who you might nominate

The Inspire Improvement Fellowship Programme

Calling Directors of Nursing and Matrons! Please share!

FoNS is looking to recruit frontline leaders to become FoNS Inspire Improvement Fellows. The fellows need to be in positions where they hold responsibility for both staff and care – so a ward manager, sister or similar in any care setting in the UK. The Inspire Improvement programme offers workshops, ongoing support/mentorship and a bursary to support the individual.

The focus of the programme is on the individual, who will develop skills and expertise in facilitative leadership and culture change, leading to changes in the workplace and a culture of on-going improvement.

There’s more information about the programme and application process on the FoNS website. Or you can follow this link for a short introductory video from the programme lead, Jo Odell.

Closing date 5th November 2018.

Fons Blog

To blog or not to blog – ask Jo Odell. What you might get out of blogging and some top tips. Read more …

The Inspire Improvement Fellowship Programme: An introductory video

Inspired to work with FoNS? Frontline clinical leader with line responsibility for a team? Interested in expanding your skills in facilitating culture change and continuous improvements in care and services at the frontline of practice? The programme leader, Jo Odell, gives us a brief introduction here.

The programme offers:

• Three all-inclusive two-day residential workshops
• Workplace support from FoNS (visits, phone calls and email)
• A bursary to support your participation and programme costs

This is a fantastic learning and development opportunity.

Visit the website to find out more. Closing date 5th November 2018. 

Sue Pembrey Award

The deadline for the prestigious Sue Pembrey Award 2018 is approaching (deadline 4th September 2018) – please think about who you might nominate. The award aims to recognise and reward an exemplary, person-centred leader. Open to nominations and self nominations.

New in 2018: We are delighted that this year the award will come with mentorship/support, to further develop the award winner and to create and maintain connections with the awarding supporters (FoNS, Professor Angie Titchen, Professor Brendan McCormack, Professor Jan Dewing (Sue Pembrey Chair of Nursing) and Professor Steven Ersser).

Who will you nominate? Visit the website for details.