Plymouth Urgent and Emergency Care Transformation

Attain was commissioned by Devon Integrated Care System to address CQC and NHS England feedback on urgent and emergency care (UEC) in Western Devon, the worst performing system in the country. The work scope included setting up UEC governance, defining a number of priority projects, aligning resources, determining a performance baseline and tracking performance impact, and establishing a project reporting structure to NHS England, CQC, local care partnership, Local Health Scrutiny Committee and local MPs.

What we did

1. Performed a maturity assessment of the existing governance arrangements and relationships.
2. Assessed robustness and confidence of current plans to address regulator feedback.
3. Established an Urgent Care Board for the locality which kept developing, with V3 being strategically focused.
4. Led the development of four priority areas, using data analysis and engagement to inform and direct the focus.
5. Managed key stakeholders through the production of insightful reports.
6. Supported bids for additional finance to fund UEC improvement initiatives.

Outcomes

• Key leaders remained unchanged after extreme pressure.
• Board agreed to prioritise discharge and intermediate care.
• Awarded funding for Acute sited UEC and a short-term care centre.
• Avoidance initiatives commenced, including care home support and frequent user services with good initial feedback.
• Process metrics improved.