An independent, external evaluation by the University of Liverpool
| The RCP commissioned an independent evaluation of the FHP by the Department of Health Services Research and School of Management at the University of Liverpool. There were two primary aims for the evaluation: first, to assess the impact of the FHP on patients, professionals and clinical processes, and second, to assess whether the implementation of the FHP model is sustainable and widely applicable. |
| Background |
| Following the Future Hospital Commission (FHC) report, the RCP set up the Future Hospital Programme (FHP) to put these visions into practice. The Future Hospital Programme had various foci of activity, this included providing support to eight development sites to implement projects surrounding the FHC report principals and engaging the health care community. The RCP sought an external group to undertake an independent evaluation. The full report presents the findings of that external evaluation (www.rcplondon.ac.uk/delivering-the-future-hospital). |
| Methods |
| A mixed methods approach was used. Opinions about the FHP were sought from four main sources: the development site teams, the patient representatives from the development sites, personnel from the RCP both directly and indirectly involved with the programme, and the wider college membership. Activities involved focus groups, one-to-one interviews, a comprehensive documents review and web-based surveys. |
| Key findings |
| This evaluation has confirmed that the programme has had many successes and brought about real change; developed QI capacity directly within teams and more widely across the RCP; and demonstrated it is possible for the vision of the Future Hospital Commission to be delivered within real world environments. |
| It has demonstrated that colleges are well placed to lead on quality improvement work. The programme links well to future plans for the Quality Improvement Hub in the RCP, as well as the chief registrar scheme and the web-based ‘Tell Us Your Story’ initiative. |
| However, the FHP approach is not sustainable for the RCP to resource alone. While it was effective pump-priming to deliver demonstration sites and shared evaluations, other approaches need to be explored to facilitate professional-led, ‘bottom up’ innovation, co-produced with patients working to RCP recommendations for quality improvement, evaluation and innovation. This requires a less formalised and high-investment environment for it to be sustainable in the longer term. |