Alturos News

5th International Benchmarking Conference in Kuwait

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

A presentation of a joint paper between Alturos Limited and BCS Management Services on the 'Mountain Top View of Continuous Improvement' provided the delegates attending the 5th International Benchmarking Conference in Kuwait with a strategic look at the application of lean tools.

Terry Pilcher, Director of BCS Management Services (www.bcsmanagementservices.com) and co-author of the paper, said: ‘While Continuous Improvement techniques and benefits are well known, the process of achieving the gains is often not clear. Success will depend on multiple factors such as where to start and the benefits of benchmarking; and certainly the unique aspects of an organisation such as leadership and culture. Lack of understanding of these vital influences will be the difference between success and mediocrity in outcomes’�

A�number of Alturos Associates kindly contributed to the paper. Dr Sian Watt and Dr Alan Beggs made available their theoretical and practical knowledge on culture and leadership; Mark Knowlton, MBA provided his experience on benchmarking for continuous improvement (www.benchmark.org) as did Dr Mick Lynn. Dr Alastair Williamson and Jim Hearn presented their insights on successful implementation of Lean in healthcare. As a keen ice-climber Dr Williamson also allowed use of one of his personal photographs for the key-note metaphor!

The highlights of the presentation can be downloaded here and the full paper will be available on the new Alturos web site in March as part of the new Knowledge Centre.

Mr Terry Pilcher presenting the joint paper at the 5th International Benchmarking Conference in Kuwait
Photo source and acknowledgment : organisers Spatial.com

Alturos reacts to Andrew Lansley�s comments on single sex accommodation...

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

Alturos Master Class on methods for creating single sex ward areas with no extra cost or ED delay coming on 16th February 2011. More details to follow � register now or follow us on Twitter to stay updated.

Alturos reaction to the Commons Health committee warning about impact of 'unprecedented' efficiency target...

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

We would completely agree with the Commons Health committee statement saying “there is an urgent need for a credible plan to deliver the efficiency gain which is the central requirement of the spending review settlement for the NHS.”

From experience of working throughout the public sector as continuous improvement specialists, we would confidently say that these efficiency savings are achievable. However, for the Government solely to outline the level of savings required, without providing a clear plan on the how to achieve it is, understandably, leaving NHS personnel very concerned.

The current situation demands skills that are not traditionally part of the healthcare talent mix. Having worked in continuous improvement for 18 years, it is not something that an inexperienced team can simply get to grips with overnight. The challenge is also a cultural one - more is required than simply tweaking the edges with a bit of Lean here, the Productive series there.

There is a tendency to recruit executives from the private sector but the solution is not the recruitment or development of a skilled minority. What is required is the development of a skilled and engaged majority on the frontline. It is those closest to the day to day running of the service that know where the problems and opportunities are – in many cases they work in organisations that do not provide the vehicle to voice this or the skills to translate their ideas into real change.

See the below HSJ articles for examples:
http://www.hsj.co.uk/resource-centre/your-ideas-and-suggestions/lean-in-radiology/5011357.article
http://www.hsj.co.uk/resource-centre/your-ideas-and-suggestions/lean-in-mental-health/5022018.article

Dr John Coleman and Mr. Tim Franklin

Do you consider the role of organisational culture when developing Lean or Six Sigma?

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

Recently Dr Sian Watt, Alturos specialist in developing organisational culture, was invited to present, in Ireland, a lecture to high level employees in the Irish Government. The theme was the importance and influence of culture in organisational change and continuous improvement. The session centred on two themes:

Is the role of culture important in organisational development?

Discussion confirmed the necessity of ensuring the organisation's culture is 'right' to allow and ensure the effectiveness of managerial interventions, including lean.

Many of those present already had experience of, or were presently embarking on, various improvement programs including lean and six sigma interventions. They commented on the poor level of success of these interventions; despite of the money invested by the various government departments.

They agreed that the problem was that the organisational cultures in the government departments were not appropriate. Importantly in many cases the cultures had not been considered.

The group's conclusion was that a preliminary examination of the culture should have been made before carrying out the other more mechanistic interventions and that this should be followed by a subsequent review of its impacts.

Is cultural analysis possible?

Dr Watt has developed very specific techniques in analysing and defining eight specific types of organisational culture. This is extended to sub-cultures for individual departments within an organisation. From this analysis very specific programmes are implemented; encouraging development of each culture 'type' to support Lean and Six Sigma.

However, the in-depth process for understanding culture is done over a number of weeks. So the 'first-step' approach the delegates used was Dr Watt's 'bubbles' method. Groups identified the 'current state' and 'future state' paradigms of their organisations and then populated the various functional headlines. An example is illustrated in the diagram below.

How a new hospital culture looked
symbolically after a cultural intervention

Dr Watt concludes: 'Changing culture involves changing actions: at group and individual levels. This is not a quick process; it can – and usually will � take months and even years. However, both research evidence and practical experience tells us that for success and sustainable, competitive positioning it is a worthwhile journey'

QIPP and engaging clinicians in Lean?

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

Recently Alturos was invited to give a workshop for clinicians from an acute trust. The session was led by Alturos specialist and consultant anaesthetist, Dr Alastair Williamson, supported by Alturos director, Dr John Coleman. The clinicians, from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds, first learned about the basics of Lean in a healthcare setting.

Alturos specialist Dr Williamson explains how Lean principles support the NHS QIPP agenda

Then the relevance of Lean, and the linkage to the QIPP agenda, was explored. Emphasis was given to Lean increasing the quality of the patient experience and creating a safer healthcare environment . After this the group then developed their own ‘first-steps’ action plans and explored specific areas for attention.

Moving forward: the clinician group will be working with Alturos and the trust’s Service Improvement Team using Lean principles and QIPP success measures for the projects.

One neurologist summed up the session: 'Although I knew a little about Lean I was sceptical about the reality of applying this method in healthcare. However, I can see how it can work in supporting a hospital wide framework for QIPP. What I’m really interested in is how Lean supports better patient safety and clinicians designing new processes and so spend more time with patients'

Alturos approach to Lean in Housing showcased in �Housing Association Building and Maintenance Magazine'

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

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Alturos Programmes featured in NPAG Newsletter � special rates for NPAG readers

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

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Alturos is Lean Expert in Daily Telegraph

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

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South East Business magazine interviews Alturos

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

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Alturos' success with Local Authority is profiled in Local Authority Building and Maintenance magazine

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

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Local press celebrates Alturos' charity day

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

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Alturos provides food for thought in business pages for Brighton and Hove

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

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Golfers raise money for St Peter and St James Hospice

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

South east businesses tee-off to raise money for charity

How do you make the numbers around you stack up?

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

Spending cuts mean that many public sector organisations may choose short term options in addressing budgets deficits. But evidence suggests that short term options cost more in the long run – particularly in the healthcare sector. But a measured, paced approach in cost reduction using Lean and Six Sigma can deliver results.

Alturos presents its work in Cytology Labs at national NHS Cancer Network Conference

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

Stephen Parsons, Interim Director National Cancer Action Team thanks Tim Franklin, Director, Alturos Ltd for his presentation at the NDP at Heathrow in March 2010.

Tim presented the Lean work that Alturos recently undertook with the North London Cancer Network at Chase Farm Cytology Laboratory. Before the Lean re-designs the processes that the Cytology Laboratory teams were working with meant that only 12% of specimens were able to be reported in 14 days or less. In less than 3 months, after implementing their Lean projects, the teams were able to turnaround 99% of specimen reports in 14 days or less.

Lean Benchmarking

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

‘How are we doing in our Lean journey...’ is a regular question that is often asked of Alturos Limited. In answering that question, and as a guide and a self-assessment, Mark Knowlton recently launched his new Lean Benchmarking website in London.

This audience was an invited group from many sectors – including healthcare. The group comprised of over 60 directors and performance managers – all of whom had a keen interest in making sure their organisations were making Lean a sustainable activity.

Mark has developed this unique online benchmarking tool for use across a number of sectors. In particular, healthcare staff involved in lean programmes across the NHS, will benefit from the benchmarking process.

Essentially, lean benchmarking gives Lean Practitioners the opportunity to take a 'snap shot' of current Lean performance and compares their results with others. The resulting gap analysis clearly highlights the future potential performance and the most appropriate focus for Continual Improvement activities.

The advanced version also includes a unique account Login, with the facility to complete up to 4 Lean benchmark assessments. The ensures progress tracking for the improvement journey. As part of a structured review programme, this will also sustain the momentum of the Continual Improvement activity - which is often the toughest nut to crack.

The full healthcare version of the Lean Benchmark will be available at the end of May and full details of the URL will be posted on our News section then. In the meantime please contact Alturos Limited on 0870 471 7127.

Alturos Ltd. Director Tim Franklin interviewed by BBC

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

Alturos Ltd. Director Tim Franklin interviewed by BBC as news breaks that Local Authorities plan to shed 25,000 jobs to reduce budgets.

With kind permission from BBC Sussex and Surrey.

Radiology project now features on Health Service Journal website

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

The Alturos Ltd. facilitated Radiology project at Bedford Hospital that yielded £1.2m gains now features on Health Service Journal website.

Click here to read the article.

NHS QIPP Agenda and Lean?

Sat, 19 May 2012 07:22:41 -0500

The fresh QIPP initiative within the NHS highlights key areas for any organisational success and growth. The pace is fast and the agenda large. But what is the vehicle for managing what appears to be competing demands? Can better quality of healthcare be achieved at a lower cost? Can productivity increase within the existing patient pathways and processes? What about staff morale? How and who will deliver the detailed changes that support QIPP?

It is true that there are many models out there that seek to deliver on QIPP. One such framework being adopted by many trusts is Lean and Six Sigma. But does this approach really support QIPP?

The answer is ‘yes’. When correctly applied, Lean and Six Sigma can, and does, yield focused, evidence-based savings; At the same time it can, systemically, increase the quality of patient care across the UK healthcare economy: PCTs, acute and mental health trusts. However, the most important part about Lean and Six Sigma is that, if adopted authentically, it transforms NHS organisational culture and leadership that will sustain and improve QIPP year on year.