Innovation in Action: Co-Designing the Rapid Response System
In collaboration with the team at the Trust's Garden House Care Home, the Innovation Team recently concluded a successful trial of a co-designed Rapid Response System. This initiative, developed alongside our care and clinical teams, represents an encouraging step in demonstrating how an innovative mindset can address operational challenges in the care sector.
Earlier in 2024, through a series of innovation workshops, a particular challenge was identified which many of our frontline care colleagues recognised. So, our task was simple: how might we develop a better, more efficient way to manage care-related emergencies in our care homes? The goal was to establish a more targeted response team that could ensure better outcomes for our residents and minimise disruption.
Using St Monica Trust’s approach to innovation, we systematically worked through the challenge – from simulating emergency scenarios to co-developing the concept with care staff, this project has proven to be a powerful example of collaborative innovation. By empowering frontline staff to contribute their insights and expertise, the initiative has demonstrated the transformative potential of using a systematic approach to bottom-up innovation, delivering meaningful and impactful change, and ensuring everyone is empowered to ask: “How can we do things better?”.
The Rapid Response System includes the selection of dedicated unit staff at each handover to form a Rapid Response Team. This system was tested with positive results which saw 67% of participants observing significant improvements in how calls were managed.
Care and clinical-led initiatives such as this are so valuable because not only do they improve day to day operations, but they also empower teams and drive positive change.
The success of this trial at Garden House has inspired Marija Sarcenkova, Clinical Deputy Manager, Garden House Care Home to advocate for its implementation:
The strong positive feedback from carers at Garden House regarding the Rapid Response System has energised the team to move forward with implementation as early as February.
Looking ahead, we are committed to working closely with our care and clinical teams to continue driving innovation, improving systems and continuously improving the delivery of care for our residents.