Non-urgent advice: This page
• is aimed at foundation doctors
• provides an overview of the purpose of quality improvement (QI) generally and specifically within the foundation programme
• describes how sustainability and quality improvement need to be considered jointly
• signposts to resources within each of the four nations of the UK
• signposts to general QI resources
Quality improvement (QI) methods and tools enable transformation of healthcare services to provide better-value care which is vital in the face of changing operational demands.
The importance of engaging in QI is reflected within the Foundation Programme curriculum (FPC9) and all foundation doctors (FDs) must demonstrate evidence of active participation.
It is important when engaging with improvement projects that consideration is given to sustainability in QI. This can be approached as healthcare sustainability (for example, looking at financial and social impacts, quality of training and patient experience) or as environmental sustainability (for example, looking at use of medicines and equipment, travel and buildings quality/use).
“Quality improvement methodology can support efforts to reduce the environmental impact of services and improve sustainable value of care” [NHS Education for Scotland]
Sustainability in Healthcare webinar
See below recording of the sustainability in healthcare webinar on 12 January 2024, focusing on sustainability in healthcare, and specifically sustainable quality improvement (QI).