Simon Markillie-Mallinson Richard Higgins Project Managers

Simon Markillie-Mallinson & Richard Higgins Project Managers – Northampton General Hospital EWTD pilot

Project Management Perspective Challenges we faced: • Meeting project objectives: - EWTD 2009 compliance with. . . - patient safety - quality training - cost-neutral solution(s) • Engagement of Trust • Overcoming scepticism of doctors / resistance to change • Balancing workload • Project management from afar

How we approached the project • Involvement of key Trust leads • Project ‘steering group’ - used existing forum • Communication strategy / junior Dr representation • Project ‘steering group’ - used existing forum • Full-time ‘Project Coordinator’ (administrative role) • Sought help from Finance

What did not work well • Using existing forum for steering group • Underestimating ‘Project Coordinator’ role / delays to recruitment • Assumptions about potential solutions & scope (size of the challenge)

What went well • Deanery / Trust interface • Full-time Project Coordinator based in the Trust (HR) • Buy-in / ‘drive’ from senior clinicians & management • Reconfigured ‘steering group’ / directoratefocussed meetings (incl. engagement of junior doctors)

Lessons learned • Dedicated project lead at the pilot site • Flexibility in approach • Trainee / consultant buy-in • Finance input / advice • Coordinated, whole-hospital approach (e. g. ringfencing of savings) • Project time-limited, but ongoing work at the pilot site essential