The Q community

Teams from North Bristol NHS Trust​ and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust​ came together to explore the issue.

Find out more about their Q exchange project: https://q.health.org.uk/resources/addressing-health-inequalities-to-reduce-missed-appointments

Two people having a conversation.

A team in Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire are working to address health inequalities to reduce missed appointments. Data showed ​‘Did Not Attend’ rates for cardiology patients were 36% higher for black and Asian patients and 48% higher for those living in the most deprived areas.

Read more. https://q.health.org.uk/evidence-and-insights/opinion-pieces/qs-direction-and-the-path-ahead

"I would like to share with you how improvement principles, a focus on Q’s core purpose and what we’ve heard from the Q community have guided me and the team as we developed our future plans." Penny Pereira Managing Director, the Q community. Graphic also shows a headshot of Penny.

We recently announced changes for Q, the outcome of a scheduled strategic review with @healthfoundation.bsky.social​​.

Q's managing director, Penny Pereira, shares how improvement principles, a focus on Q’s core purpose and what we’ve heard from the Q community have helped develop our future plans.

Lifting the lid on neighbourhood-level improvement In the fourth episode of Season Two of our Leading Improvement in Health and Care podcast, we lift the lid on neighbourhood-level improvement

Exploring the role of improvement methodologies in supporting the move to a future neighbourhood health service is the topic our guests are discussing in the fourth episode of season two of our Leading Improvement in Health and Care podcast. www.nhsconfed.org/podcast/lift...

In the second season of our Leading Improvement in Health and Care podcast, our latest episode is exploring how improvement methods can support the move to a future neighbourhood health service.

Find out more and watch an interview with Jonathan Clarke​ from ABUHB: https://q.health.org.uk/resources/timelier-diagnoses-for-head-and-neck-cancer-patients-through-improved-cancer-pathway-journeys

A female healthcare worker standing next to a man sitting in a chair in hospital.

Explore a new case study 💡

Learn about a project from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board​ (ABUHB) that reduced patients' time to diagnosis from an average of 62 days to 28 days.

Read more about the project and watch an interview with Dr Aicha Bouraoui, Consultant Rheumatologist, University College London Hospitals.

https://q.health.org.uk/resources/pathway-to-equity-working-with-young-people-to-reduce-hospital-appointment-non-attendance

Dr Aicha Bouraoui holding a microphone.

Missed hospital appointments is a global health care challenge, particularly affecting those aged 16-24.

To tackle this the Pathway to Equity project was launched at @uclh.bsky.social, supported by the Q Lab. It used a systems-thinking approach and co-design with young people and clinicians.

The group has lots of events coming up. Find out more and register to join us. https://q.health.org.uk/get-involved/events/network-weaving-tools-users-group-meet-up

A group of people sitting around a table.

Group spotlight 🔦.

The Network Weaving Tools Users Group is a space for people interested in learning about network weaving and developing their skills. It aims to create a safe space dedicated to practicing resources that support effective networks.

Find out more: https://q.health.org.uk/get-involved/events/teamwork-leadership-and-collaboration-facilitating-improvement-in-south-london-perinatal-services

A man writing on a white board.

There's still time to register for the second event in our maternity series, 'Teamwork, leadership & collaboration: facilitating improvement in South London perinatal services'.

Hear how Health Innovation Network South London is tackling complex challenges in maternity and neonatal care.

Find out more and register to join us: https://q.health.org.uk/get-involved/events/joy-in-work-curiosity-collective-unsilenced

Joy in Work Curiosity Collective: Unsilenced: what happens next? Friday 17 October The graphic also shows two images of people at events.

In October's Joy in Work session, 'Unsilenced: what happens next?', we invite you to move from theory to action.

Join us on Friday 17 October as we focus on how we are learning to speak up, listen more deeply, and help others do the same.

Find out more and register to join us. https://q.health.org.uk/get-involved/events/liberating-structures-meet-up-october-2025

A group of people having a discussion.

Join our next meet up to try the Liberating Structure Panarchy.

Learn how it can help you to become more alert to small changes that can spread ideas. With a better appreciation of the dynamics, you can create ​‘opportunity windows’ for innovations to spread among levels and across boundaries.

Read more about the project and watch an interview with the project lead, Mani Dhesi:
https://q.health.org.uk/resources/transforming-urology-pathways-to-improve-care-and-reduce-delays-for-patients

Two people sitting at a table.

Urology patients in Birmingham & Solihull faced long delays after COVID. Hospitals tried to manage the backlog but were limited by traditional systems.

This primary care team, supported by Q Lab, created a community-based pathway using virtual appointments, local clinics, and quicker tests.

Read more: https://q.health.org.uk/evidence-and-insights/opinion-pieces/journalism-with-a-stethoscope-why-listening-matters-for-facing-healths-wicked-problems

"I wanted to ask the questions our health service avoids, listen to the people it too often fails to hear and learn how improvement can help. That impulse led to Three Ages of Child." - Guddi Singh Paediatrician, Founder of WHAM & PhD Candidate, King’s College London.

While making her new BBC Radio 4 series 'Three Ages of Child', Q member @drguddisingh.bsky.social​​ journeyed across England to ask the questions our health service avoids.

In this piece, Guddi shares what she learned along the way and asks what the answers mean for improvement.

Find out
more and book your place: https://q.health.org.uk/get-involved/events

Someone in a pink shirt smiles in a group.

There's lots coming up in October! From the second event in our maternity series, to regular meet ups with our Network Weaving, Liberating Structures and Improving Culture groups.

All events are aimed at supporting you to enhance your improvement practice, widen your network and be inspired.

Read the full announcement on our website: https://q.health.org.uk/about/news/a-new-home-for-the-q-community

I’m delighted to be welcoming Q to the NHS Confederation. This is an exciting development for us as we continue to build our leadership and improvement support for our members, who will benefit hugely from Q’s expertise and experience. Matthew Taylor Chief Executive, NHS Confederation

Now, further embedded in the NHS, we are in a strong position to see the Q community’s impact grow at a time when collaborative improvement is needed more than ever. Penny Pereira Managing Director, the Q community

We’re delighted to announce that the Q community has a new home with the @nhsconfed.org​. Building on our strong existing partnership, we will together champion collaborative, bold, inclusive and purposeful improvement that spans sectors.

Register: https://q.health.org.uk/get-involved/events/system-improvement-coaching-enhancing-collaboration-and-outcomes

Two people sitting in chairs talking

There's still time to sign up for our Q Exchange webinar 'System Improvement Coaching: Enhancing Collaboration and Outcomes', on Tuesday 30 September, 12–1pm.

This session will share learning from their work providing coaching for system improvement leaders across neighbourhoods.

A group of people sitting at a table.

With fieldwork for the 2025 NHS staff survey set to begin, we reflect on the results of the 2024 survey and what we can learn about staff engagement and its consequences for improvement.

Read more: https://bit.ly/46ABeOi

Liberating Structures meet up: October 2025 Join us on 9 October to try out some new Liberating Structures. Book now!

Want to learn how embedded systems interact, spread innovations and transform? Join the Q Liberating Structures user group meet-up on 9 Oct, 12pm, to try out 'Panarchy'. All welcome - no experience needed.
q.health.org.uk/get-involved...