Quality Improvement Fellowships

In brief

We believe talented clinical leaders are needed to drive lasting improvements to healthcare. The UK health system needs people who can bring real improvement that ultimately leads to high quality patient care.

However, in a high-pressured environment within the NHS it can be difficult for leaders keen to work on quality improvement to have the time and space needed for reflection and research. The Health Foundation Quality Improvement Fellowships aim to bridge that gap, giving fellows the time and space to think deeply about how to improve the quality of healthcare, backed up by rigorous academic and practical learning.

The aim is that on their return to the UK, fellows will integrate their learning into processes and procedures at their employing organisation to improve service delivery. Fellows will also work to promote quality improvement nationally, championing quality and sharing what they have learnt with colleagues from across the health service.

Key facts

• Each year we appoint up to five senior clinically-qualified NHS professionals with a track record of achievement in quality improvement and who want to develop this further.
• Fellows of the Quality Improvement Fellowship programme become part of a community of Health Foundation Fellows, who share a common ambition to improve the quality of health services in the UK.
• Fellows spend a fully-funded year at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
• Fellows follow a personalised development programme and carry out research in a chosen area of healthcare improvement.
• Fellows take up their places in July for approximately one year, relocating to the USA for the duration of their tenure.
• Fellows receive an allowance of up to £25,000 to support travel, relocation, visa and US healthcare costs.
• Applicants’ salary and benefits are covered by their employer during the fellowship. However, the Health Foundation covers the cost of employing replacement staff.
• Fellows join the Health Foundation/IHI’s Fellows and Alumni Network – a network for mutual support and learning.
• Applications for the 2013/14 Quality Improvement Fellowships programme are now closed.