Chief Executive Maz Fosh talks about the Lincolnshire 100 day challenge for stroke services

We have recently launched an exciting new initiative called the Lincolnshire 100 day challenge for stroke services in Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust as Lincolnshire NHS is committed to improving the quality of health and care services.

You may have heard of 100 day challenges before. They are a structured innovation method that enables change in complex systems to happen quickly. 100 day challenges are intensive periods of action and collaboration that usually involve representatives from health, social care and voluntary organisations. Frontline staff and stakeholders set ambitious goals to develop and test creative solutions in working conditions.

This approach empowers and connects people closest to the service delivery to drive change and bring detailed insight into the real issues and challenges faced; to make improvements to services to benefit patients.

The Lincolnshire 100 day challenge for stroke services started on Friday, 9 August and will run until Monday, 6 January, 2020. The challenge involves working collaboratively with United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Lincolnshire County Council, the Stroke Association and patients.

Stroke is a life-threatening medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off and is the third most common cause of death in the UK. The prevalence of stroke has been increasing steadily year on year and is expected to rise to 3.1% of the Lincolnshire population by 2020. Therefore we know that improving Lincolnshire stroke services will benefit our communities.

Therapists, dietitians, nurses, social workers and information analysts from across the county, are all working together to make positive changes to improve stroke services for patients in Lincolnshire.

The main aim is to improve stroke patients’ experience of care by being discharged from hospital as quickly as possible to being better supported at home. This will be achieved through creating a seamless experience of care, which reduces duplication and supports patients to have a progressive recovery, where they feel supported at all times. The challenge teams will also be finding ways to work as one team, across organisational boundaries, to learn from each other, problem-solve together and use a single patient assessment process.

The Lincolnshire 100 day challenge for stroke services is a complex but exciting project and I’m sure our brilliant Lincolnshire NHS staff will produce some great ideas to benefit our patients.

Look out for updates by following the team’s dedicated Twitter account @100stroke