The Queen’s Nursing Institute has published research into its Fund for Innovation and Leadership programme.
The ‘Rising Stars’ report was undertaken by Ros Bryar, Professor Emeritus at City University, London.
The report asked two key questions:
- What was the impact of the award on patients/families/communities?
- What was the impact of the award on the personal and professional development of the project leaders?
The report was based on an online survey completed by 71 former participants in the scheme, representing 57 separate projects, followed up by telephone interviews.
Headline findings
- All respondents indicated that their project had met some or all of its aims to improve patient care (paragraph 4.1)
- 65% of projects had continued beyond the project year, in many cases adopted by commissioners into mainstream services (paragraph 4.1.2)
- 47% of respondents indicated that the programme had inspired them to undertake further educational qualifications (paragraph 4.2.5).
‘The report shows that the project funding supported innovation in community services for a wide range of patient groups, but for me, the unexpected finding was the feeling that the nurses expressed of being given support, respect and recognition by QNI for their ideas and abilities in a way that they had never previously experienced in their careers, and the impact that this had on their confidence and motivation to continue to be innovators in community nursing.’ Professor Ros Bryar
‘These projects have helped many thousands of patients and also assisted hundreds of nurses to realise their potential to implement innovation in practice. The projects improve care for patients, families and carers directly and through sharing the learning, the nurses have advanced practice locally and regionally. Many former project leaders also become Queen’s Nurses, enabling them to take advantage of the continuing professional development that the QNI offers.’ Dr Crystal Oldman, QNI Chief Executive
‘The Burdett Trust for Nursing is delighted to have funded this programme for the last five years, reflecting our main aim of improving healthcare through nurse-led initiatives.’ Shirley Baines, Burdett Trust
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