Quality Always

Quality Always has been introduced to ensure that DCHS always delivers high quality services, regardless of the geographical location or nature of that service or the time at which it is delivered – that's why it's known as ‘Quality Always’.

The process is supported by the DCHS Quality Assurance Framework, which consists of self-assessment and peer review, insight visits, QA+ and external inspection. 

Prepare for your CAAS

We're encouraging teams to become familiar with the assessment template. Carry out informal self-assessment, even if they have not had a formal assessment with the Quality Always team so far. This gives teams a better idea of what the assessment involves and how to develop an improvement plan. 

This gives teams the support to start from a higher overall baseline score. When it's time for the formal assessment, they are likely to progress through red and amber to green at pace.

CAAS Self-assessment templates

• QA Self-Assessment - Community (Nov 22)
• QA Self-Assessment - GP Template (GMH) (Nov 22)
• QA Self Assessment - HWI Immunisation (Jan 23)
• QA Self-Assessment - HWI Childrens Services (Nov 22)
• QA Self Assessment - Inpatients (Jan 23)
• QA Self-Assessment - Planned Care and Outpatients (Nov 22)
• QA Self Assessment - UTC (Jan 23)
• QA Self-Assessment - Wound Clinics (Nov 22)

Please contact Quality Always if you require a template that isnt listed above at E: dchst.qualityalways@nhs.net

Quality & safe care champions (QSCCs) receive support to embed best practice in clinical areas and support improvements to patient care within the Quality Always Clinical Assessment and Accreditation Scheme (CAAS) standards.

Are you interested in becoming a QSCC?

If you are interested in becoming a QSCC please read these QSCC documents with your line manager.

• QSCC role overview
• QSCC agreement

Submit your nomination form

• QSCC nomination form

In order to become a QSCC, you must submit a QSCC nomination form to us.  Please send your fully completed QSCC nomination forms to DCHST.QualityAlways@nhs.net

Click here to access the QSC Champion Platform via MS Teams - Quality Safe Care Champions Platform

Guides to accessing MS Teams

Signing into MS Teams 

Accessing MS Teams Channels 

QSCC domains

• Continence
• Dementia
• Dignity & Inclusion
• End of Life
• Falls
• Infection Prevention & Control 
• Lifestyle
• Nutrition & Hydration
• Pain
• Safeguarding
• Tissue viability

 ​​​​​​

DCHS Quality & Safe Care Champion Training Schedule -  2023 is now available on the following platforms .. 

QSCC MS Teams 'General' Channel  QSCCMSTeams (You must be a registered QSC Champion to access) (1) Go to Files (2) Go to Folder - QSCC Training 2023

and

QSCC & QA Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/QualtyAlways/

If you are a QSC Champion and do not have access to the above platforms - Please email your request to Mikaela Orrill @  DCHST.QualityAlways@nhs.net

New - MS Teams QSCC Platform

Each Champion domain have their own MS Teams platform (Launched 1st April 2022) There you have access to your Specialist Lead, you can view their updates, Latest resource Information and have conversations /ask questions in the chat should you wish to.

It also gives you the opportunity for Sharing your own 'Good Practice' & 'learning' with all other Champions under the same domain , for eg; uploading resources / examples of work / displays you have created. This proves especially helpful for Staff who are new to becoming a Champion.

Please note , Your name will be automatically added to the members list, however should you wish to opt out please do not hesitate to let us know via dchst.qualityalways@nhs.net and will we remove you from the list or alternately you can opt out by right clicking on the link and selecting ‘Leave the Team’

Quality Always Facebook closed group

This closed group offers a supportive network for QSCC's to aid sharing best practices and reflective thinking. It aims to provide support and advice regarding the Quality Always process for staff members from DCHSFT. 

Join the group

• Please send a member request into us by searching 'DCHSFT Quality Always' in Facebook
• Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/QualtyAlways/   

We look forward to hearing from you.

Quality Always on Twitter

Follow the Quality Always team on Twitter to keep up to date with some of our news.   

Show us some of your champion work, let us know your thoughts on Quality Always or just drop us a tweet to say hello. 

• Tweet @sallyannQA1 and use the #QualityAlways hashtag

Email

• For further information, please email DCHST.QualityAlways@nhs.net