Strides Made Against Magnet Standards at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust - With support from our partnership twin: Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, USA

By Cathy Hill, Director of Nursing, RN, MSc, BSc, LEO & Noni Nyathi, Clinical Improvement & Innovation Nursing Fellow, RN, MSc, BSc, CMI

​In October 2021, Chelsea & Westminster NHS Foundation Trust (London, United Kingdom) embarked on an inspiring path by joining the Magnet4Europe (M4E) research study, initiating a remarkable transformation in patient care through Shared Decision Making (SDM). The journey began in 2022 with the selection of six wards for piloting the Shared Decision Making implementation, including the Emergency Department, Paediatrics Ward, and Ambulatory and Acute wards. Additionally, the Trust was twinned with Robert Wood Johnson (in New Jersey, USA) for collaborative insights.

Scaling Success: Impact and Expansion
Since inception, this initiative has flourished, scaling up to encompass 30 departments and completing 22 impactful projects with the support of CW+ and the Trust. Noteworthy reductions in turnover rates have been achieved, with an 8.9% decrease in Registered Nurse (RN) turnover and a 3.7% decrease in Healthcare Assistant (HCA) turnover. Moreover, the Trust has observed an average 3.6% improvement in patients likely to recommend the hospital, reflecting enhanced patient satisfaction.
 
Highlight: Exemplary Project - Stroke Unit Falls Project
One outstanding project under the SDM umbrella is the Stroke Unit Falls Project, which identified and addressed multiple factors contributing to falls, including slippery bathroom floors. The project's recommendations have led to the implementation of new falls alarms, national falls packs (with the Trust Falls Steering group), regular medications reviews, and environmental modifications to improve patient safety.
 

Promoting Staff & Patient Engagement: Benefits of SDM
The implementation of SDM has yielded significant benefits for both staff and patients. It has fostered quality improvement activities, including training sessions and twin visits, empowering leadership councils and SDM councils to review key reports like Ward Accreditation and Clinical Outcomes data. Additionally, the Trust has introduced initiatives such as the LEO (Leading, Empowering, and Organising) and Practice Education Advocate Programmes, along with Daisy Awards to recognise exemplary contributions.
 
In summary, the journey of SDM at Chelsea Hospital exemplifies the power of collaborative decision-making frameworks in healthcare. Through continuous evaluation, innovation, and shared learning, the Trust is setting new standards in patient-centred care, ensuring a brighter future for healthcare excellence.
 
Stay tuned for more updates on Chelsea Hospital's pioneering initiatives and impactful outcomes in our upcoming projects!