Award scheme launched to help clinicians to improve the quality of primary care

Through the Engaging with Quality in Primary Care award scheme the Foundation will support up to six projects that aim to engage clinicians in achieving measurable and sustainable improvements in clinical quality.

The Health Foundation is looking to fund projects that focus on conditions commonly presented in primary care. Applications will also be considered that focus on the common health needs of a population group, such as children. Successful applications will identify a gap in the quality of clinical care in comparison to best practice and will outline how the project team will bridge this gap by implementing activities in order to bring about improvements in the quality of patient care.

Wendy Buckley, Assistant Director at The Health Foundation, said, “The ultimate test for the quality of healthcare is what happens at the point of care for patients. Over 80% of contact between the public and the health service takes place in primary care settings and yet there is a gap between known best practice and every day care. The Engaging with Quality in Primary Care award scheme offers busy clinicians the resources to involve themselves more fully in clinical quality improvement initiatives. The investment we are making is hugely important and we are excited about the prospect of funding up to six projects with the potential to make real, on the ground changes.”

Any organisation can apply for an award if they are able to demonstrate that their project will effectively engage primary care clinicians. All projects must be led by clinicians, but where the lead clinicians are specialists, primary care clinicians must also be significantly involved in the project implementation. Project proposals must also include plans to involve patients and service users in all aspects of the proposals. Organisations can apply independently or in partnership.