1: Can services who are not included in the pilot phase participate in the programme?

Yes. The wider implementation phase of the programme, working with 37 services, will run from July 2024 to March 2025.

During this phase, we look forward to working with as many as possible of the remaining services who originally expressed interest, together with newcomers who are inspired by the success and learning from the pilot phase!

2: What types of coaching will the programme offer to participating trusts and services?

The pilot phase will offer two levels of expert quality improvement coaching - simultaneously over 6 months (September 2024 - March 2025) - to participating organisations:

(I) Executive coaching

• ~1 hr, monthly
• Supporting executives and/or senior operational leaders to (i) cultivate an organisational culture of equity & equality, (ii) empower colleagues to create locally-led change, (iii) embody humble & compassionate leadership

(II) Service leadership and frontline-delivery coaching

• Blend of weekly (1-hour) sessions and full-day (8-hour) improvement sessions
• Equipping leaders of services & inpatient teams with the skills & confidence to lead QI work directed at improving the equity and care of patients detained under the Act, co-produce and implement change ideas alongside people with lived experience, using equity-focused tools and methodology

The time commitment for project team members co-producing and delivering change ideas is ~2 hours per week (on average) over the 6-month period, including the delivery coaching. The exact time will depend on the change idea and could be more than 2 hours in some cases.

Our approach ensures a focus on addressing inequity, reinforcing a “locally-led, centrally supported” approach to QI, and facilitating knowledge-sharing between teams at all levels.

3: What are the expectations from executives and senior leaders of participating organisations?

We expect executives and senior leaders of participating organisations to give full backing to:

• Their organisation's involvement in the programme
• The service/ward team in developing, implementing and sustaining their change ideas
• Proportionate data collection to inform programme evaluation

4: Will the QI programme involve independent providers of mental health services in England?

The programme focuses on NHS providers due to the wide range of inpatient services it aims to reach. However, we recognise the importance of sharing learning from the programme with providers in the independent sector. We also aim to identify future opportunities to involve independent sector providers in supporting the implementation of the MHA reforms.