This week will see the start of a short, targeted firebreak across the whole-system – community and acute sites.
The focus will be as follows:
- Reducing our occupancy – even by a relatively small amount – can make a huge difference to our patients and staff.
- Reducing the length of stay of patients is crucial to help us address our occupancy levels. A particular focus will be on patients whose length of stay is 14+ days with clear plans in place to support their journey.
- Further embedding the Flow Foundation Bundle to improve patient flow and prevent unnecessary waiting for patients. Every member of Team Lanarkshire has a part to play.
Professor Jann Gardner, Chief Executive of NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Everyone is working as hard as they can to do the best that they can, and we have a deep appreciation of how challenged the situation is across all areas – in acute and in primary care.
“Operation FLOW is built on the learning and experience of our clinicians, the staff who have an incredibly tough job to do every day given the current challenges.
“Staff are telling us that Operation FLOW is the right way forward and worth committing to, but that it will take more time for the many marginal gains to add up and provide the full benefit. New supportive and effective escalation plans are an example of something we are working on to bring some immediate relief.
“Getting all the way to the other side of our Operation FLOW journey will make a world of difference to our patients and staff. Thank you for your understanding, persistence and commitment as we continue to work together to improve our system for both patients and staff.”
Thank you for your support.
Questions, comments or ideas: operationFLOW@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
Find out more on our website: www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/OperationFLOW
