It’s a proven fact that patients get better care in hospitals where staff feel able to make a difference. That’s why University Hospitals Dorset is running Patient First.

There are 5 strategic areas we are focusing on, which each have an objective / objectives for the coming year, as per the table below:

Patient First is a long-term approach to building improvement into everything we do. When staff thrive, our patients thrive.

We want everyone to be empowered for continuous improvement. We will build a strong foundation of “leaders as coaches”, with compassionate and respectful behaviours, so that they support you as staff. We will give you structured training and tools to help solve problems, being driven by data and evidence.

We will be very focused on what we do - and don't do. We will have an ‘inch-wide – mile deep’ set of improvement priorities cascaded through the organisation – a Frontline to Board performance management system genuinely built into everyday work and routines.

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If you are a staff member at UHD then find out more here

If you do not work in UHD but would like to find out more about Patient First, please contact the Director of Improvement and Organisational Development, Deb Matthews, on 0300 019 4391 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Quality Improvement Week 2026

Qi is for Everyone

Join Team UHD in celebrating Quality Imrovement Week from 14-18 September, Team UHD will be joining colleagues across the country to celebrate Quality Improvement Week 2026.

This year's theme, 'QI is for Everyone', reflects something we know to be true at UHD: every member of staff can make a difference.

Whether you're caring for patients, supporting clinical teams, managing services or working behind the scenes, you see opportunities every day to make things safer, simpler and better.

Quality Improvement Week is a chance to celebrate those improvements, share learning and inspire even more people to get involved.

 

Improving through Patient First

At UHD, Patient First is our Quality Management System and provides a shared approach for identifying opportunities, understanding challenges, testing changes and delivering sustainablility.

Every day, colleagues across Team UHD are using Patient First principles and tools to:

• Improve patient experience and coutcomes.
• Reduce delays and waste
• Simplify processes
• Strengthen teamwork and communication
• Create better working environments for staff

You don't need to lead a large project to improve care. Some of the most meaningful improvements start with one person asking:

 

"How could we make this better?"

Through Patient First, we support colleagues to turn those ideas into action.

 

Come and meet the Patient First Improvement Team

Throughout QI Week we'll be hosting stands in the Royal Bournemouth Hospital Atrium and the Poole Hospital Dome

Come and say hello, share your ideas and discover how improvement is happening across UHD.

You can:

• Explore improvement resources & tools
• See examples of improvement work from across Team UHD
• Learn how colleagues are improving care and services
• Discuss an improvement opportunity in your area
• Find out what support is available to help you get started

 

Whether you're new to improvement or

already leading change, we'd love to meet you.

 

Regional and National Events for Qi Week 2026

As part of QI Week, there will also be opportunities to learn from improvement experts and colleagues across the region and nationally. Here is a link to the 'Flip Book' to access the full timetable of events.

 

Get Involved

Quality Improvement Week is about celebrating what we've achieved and inspiring what comes next.

Every improvement starts with a problem worth solving, an idea worth testing and people willing to make a difference.

Visit the QI Week intranet pages to:

• View the UHD Qi week programme (in development)
• Access Patient First resources (intranet link, trust device only)
• Explore regional and national events
• Discover improvement stories
• Contact us to find out how to get involved via our email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Patient First: Making Improvement Part of Everyday

Every improvement starts with an idea. Through Patient First, we provide the support, tools and training to help turn ideas into meaningful change. From introductory learning and improvement workshops to practical resources and expert guidance, there's something available for everyone, whatever your role or level of experience. Explore our resources, discover upcoming training opportunities, and find out how Patient First can help you make improvement part of everyday work (note: these links are intranet links so only accessible on a trust device).