NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit

20 May 2022

Privacy policy

At NHS Midlands and Lancashire (NHS ML) we’re committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.  This Privacy Policy provides you with the following information: What are our data…

19 May 2022

Supporting our Armed Forces

NHS Midlands and Lancashire (NHS ML) recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. In January 2020 we signed the Armed Forces…

19 May 2022

Supporting our staff

Health and wellbeing The health and wellbeing of our staff is a top priority for NHS Midlands and Lancashire (NHS ML) and we regularly provide information, advice and…

19 May 2022

Staff benefits

Pay and conditions The NHS pay system, known as Agenda for Change (AfC) applies to all directly employed staff, except doctors, dentists and very senior managers. Benefits include: A…

19 May 2022

Associates and temporary staffing

If you are looking to work within the NHS, the Temporary Staffing Admin Bank is a great starting point. We provide full-time and part-time temporary cover in a…

19 May 2022

Our track record

Organisations are blurring the boundaries that used to exist between them. It’s a momentous change but it will require lots of drive and ambition to make it a…

19 May 2022

Careers

For our current opportunities please visit our automated job application site.The NHS is the biggest employer in Europe. It’s a world-renowned institution and an exciting place to work,…

25 January 2022

About us

We understand, as health and care decision-makers, you want to make a difference – for both patients and services to develop an all-round healthier population. NHS Midlands and…

25 January 2022

News

14 November 2021

Home

1 November 2024

Improving productivity and efficiency

Improving productivity and efficiency is central to NHS development. A key part of the Darzi report is the need to drive productivity in health services and do more…

13 May 2022

Personalised healthcare commissioning services

Our personalised healthcare commissioning team aims to deliver the best possible experience of assessment, review and care planning for people with continuing healthcare and complex healthcare needs by…

13 May 2022

Clinical redesign and provider collaboration

As a change and improvement partner, we support end-to-end redesign of clinical pathways, enabling integration and providing digitally-enabled, user-centric approaches to care management. Our multidisciplinary teams can support…

13 May 2022

Place and primary care transformation

We provide the developmental, transformational and operational support needed by ICS partners and primary care organisations to achieve a truly integrated service offer. We help partners at every…

13 May 2022

PHM analytics and decision support

We provide expert analytical advice and support, underpinned by optimal data management, insight tools and PHM capability to enable evidence-based decisions, address health inequalities and align services to…

13 May 2022

Digitally enabled transformation and IT

Digital transformation is not simply about technology – it is about change management enabled by technology to improve access and quality of patient care and optimise processes for…

12 May 2022

Communications and engagement

We deliver effective communication, engagement and behavioural insight as key enablers for system change and improving population health. Our approach addresses inequalities, manages risk and reputation, and derives…

25 January 2022

Developing health systems

We will help define your system’s roadmap towards developing integrated care. As a long term partner, we will support across a range of capabilities to provide oversight and…

25 January 2022

People solutions

People solutions NHS Midlands and Lancashire supports a range of organisations with solutions to their most pressing workforce challenges. We are of the NHS, for the NHS, and…

27 March 2025

Strengthening organisational development and leadership

Through the delivery of a tailored organisational development plan, we enhanced leadership development, established a coaching culture, strengthened team purpose, and improved workforce engagement across an integrated care…

27 March 2025

Strengthening team identity and purpose at an NHS trust

Through interactive team development sessions, we helped a trust establish a clear team purpose, strengthen relationships, and create a vision for success, leading to improved collaboration, engagement, and…

20 March 2025

Improving workforce data consistency for better planning at NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board

We worked with NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (NHS BSOL ICB) to standardise turnover reporting, enhance workforce data accuracy, and provide essential workforce planning tools, ensuring…

6 March 2025

Implementing new ways of working to improve cancer screening for people with learning disabilities

Through our two-year programme with NHS England North West, we identified key barriers preventing people with learning disabilities from accessing breast and cervical screening and implemented pilot projects…

6 March 2025

Developing a sustainable change management strategy for a children’s hospice

Our Transformation Unit designed and embedded a comprehensive organisational change management strategy for a children’s hospice charity. This approach considered governance, knowledge and skills requirements, change processes and…

5 March 2025

Achieving service excellence via the service desk certification programme

Our IT service desk plays a crucial role in supporting approximately 35,000 users across health and care, including 24/7 services. Each month, we handle 8,700 telephone contacts, 1,000…

3 March 2025

Transforming workforce structures for the East of England Cancer Alliance

We supported the East of England Cancer Alliance through a complex organisational change process, ensuring a smooth transition, stakeholder engagement, and a restructured workforce aligned with strategic cancer…

14 February 2025

Addressing workforce challenges through standardised job descriptions

Our People Solutions team addressed recruitment challenges and pay inconsistencies in a hard to recruit professional group by developing a national library of standardised job descriptions, improving recruitment…

12 February 2025

Strategic workforce planning through up skilling

Through tailored training and hands-on application of the NHS England STAR and workforce redesign methodologies, we enabled human resources teams and clinical leaders to develop and implement effective…

19 December 2024

Delivering an integrated care board’s first annual report

We successfully supported Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board (ICB) in delivering their first annual report and accounts as an ICB, ensuring high-quality content, compliance with statutory guidelines,…

5 December 2024

Advancing care quality and outcomes for haemoglobin disorders across England

Through a comprehensive peer review programme, we worked with the UK Forum on Haemoglobin Disorders to improve care quality, ensure compliance with national standards, and support service providers…

5 December 2024

Peer review of long COVID services across the Midlands

We used an innovative peer-to-peer review model to address variations in long COVID service delivery across the Midlands, promoting shared learning, improving care quality, and earning national recognition…

5 December 2024

Driving clinical leadership through mentorship at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham

NHS Midlands and Lancashire’s Nursing and Urgent Care team supported the development of clinical leaders at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) through a year-long mentorship programme, helping Band…

25 November 2024

Collaborative solution for health inequalities reporting across NHS integrated care boards and trusts

Through a collaborative approach, we developed a common approach to reporting health inequalities metrics, enabling consistent, comparable reporting across NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) and allowing local teams…

21 November 2024

Programme improvement for DHSC’s Start for Life programme

Our collaborative, targeted review of the Department of Health and Social Care’s and Department for Education’s Start for Life programme improved programme management, assurance and delivery processes, aiming…

18 November 2024

Improving IT support efficiency with our AVA Chatbot

Our AVA chatbot has streamlined IT support, saving over 520 hours of analysts’ time, enhancing service quality, and providing clients with faster, self-service solutions. Background In April 2023,…

4 November 2024

Solving fragmented healthcare data with integrated solutions

The One Health and Care (OHC) system has revolutionised healthcare in the Midlands by integrating patient data across sectors, leading to over £1 million in annual savings, significantly…

23 October 2024

Delivering communications for NHS England’s eye care e-referral system in North East and Yorkshire

NHS Midlands and Lancashire and Arden & GEM Integrated Communications and Engagement team supported NHS England North East and Yorkshire to implement a new Eye Care Electronic Referral System…

17 October 2024

Improving patient experience and legal compliance of Deprivation of Liberty applications

We helped the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board ensure legal compliance, improve patient care, safeguard individual rights, and reduce administrative burden, all while maintaining transparency and accountability in…

10 October 2024

Comprehensive endoscopy strategy for Northern Care Alliance

Developing a trust wide endoscopy strategy for Northern Care Alliance In March 2022, the Northern Care Alliance (NCA) commissioned NHS Midlands and Lancashire’s Transformation Unit to develop a…

2 October 2024

Supporting a review of West Midlands community dental services

Our engagement study significantly informed decision-making by highlighting key themes such as access, travel, and patient experience, ensuring that the voices of vulnerable groups were heard, and contributing…

9 September 2024

Successful implementation of the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation in Wolverhampton

NHS England sought to implement the Ottawa Model of Smoking Cessation in secondary care across England, integrating smoking cessation into routine inpatient care. NHS Midlands and Lancashire’s Medicines…

4 September 2024

Transforming Derbyshire healthcare’s medical workforce for future resilience

Our work with Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has significantly strengthened workforce planning, supported planning for the expansion of new roles, enhanced leadership capabilities, and addressed critical workforce…

8 August 2024

Streamlining accounts payable at NHS trust

We worked with an NHS trust to streamline the accounts payable function by setting out a process map for the future, setting out several improvements and automations. Background…

2 August 2024

Building stronger connections for team development: Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI)

NHS Midlands and Lancashire used Strength Deployment Inventory (SDI) to help several teams at different stages of their team development to work together effectively and build stronger connections.…

19 July 2024

Unifying medication prescribing across Cheshire and Merseyside

The harmonisation project led by our Medicines Optimisation team successfully established governance and streamlined formulary reviews. By creating a collaborative working group with pharmacists from primary and secondary…

4 July 2024

Optimising immunisation services with an integrated hub and spoke model in Greater Manchester

Our Improvement Unit’s independent service evaluation led to the recommendation of an integrated hub and spoke model, aiming to standardise practices across Greater Manchester and set a national…

1 July 2024

Enhancing efficiency and sustainability with a diagnostic healthcare workforce strategy

Through strategic collaboration and comprehensive planning, we enhanced the efficiency and sustainability of the diagnostic healthcare workforce within an integrated care system (ICS) addressing critical workforce gaps and…

1 July 2024

Implementing a flexible working framework and training package for enhanced workforce culture

An NHS foundation trust, in collaboration with NHS Midlands and Lancashire, developed a flexible working framework and training package to promote a culture of flexibility, enhance recruitment and…

1 July 2024

Sustaining and expanding international recruitment for an integrated care system

Our Workforce Planning and Transformation team’s efforts secured a three-year investment for the International Recruitment Workforce Bureau, enabling the recruitment of 630 international healthcare professionals in 2023/24 and…

13 June 2024

Advancing maternity and neonatal services with interactive data dashboards

Our collaboration with NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICB resulted in the development of an interactive dashboard that significantly advanced the understanding and management of maternity and neonatal…

12 June 2024

Reshaping an integrated care board for future success 

We successfully guided the organisational change process for an integrated care board, aligning its workforce with the long-term vision and ensuring seamless implementation despite significant challenges.  Background  Integrated…

10 June 2024

Developing a user-centric website for cardiovascular care excellence

The National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (NICOR) partnered with NHS Midlands and Lancashire and NHS Arden and GEM collaborative Communications and Engagement team to develop a new,…

6 June 2024

Improving mobile breast screening in Liverpool, Sefton, and Knowsley

Implementing recommendations within the Liverpool, Sefton, and Knowsley Mobile Breast Screening Programme has brought about substantial enhancements. Augmented engagement, clarified governance, and the establishment of a robust service…

6 June 2024

Evaluating the Answer Cancer service in Greater Manchester

Our evaluation of the ‘Answer Cancer’ initiative increased cancer awareness in underserved communities and demonstrated good value for money. Our findings will inform future commissioning to improve cancer…

6 June 2024

Integrating Cheshire and Stockport breast screening services

The successful implementation of NHS England Screening Quality Assurance Service (SQAS) approved recommendations resulted in the establishment of a fully integrated service, streamlined governance, improved staffing levels, and…

5 June 2024

Driving strategic workforce planning and operational excellence in an integrated care board

Through strategic leadership and effective collaboration, we significantly enhanced the understanding and implementation of a comprehensive workforce plan for an integrated care board, ensuring sustainable workforce supply and…

4 June 2024

Integrating recruitment services into a central team to deliver at-scale efficiencies 

Centralising recruitment services for NICE through NHS Midlands and Lancashire significantly improved efficiency, reducing time-to-hire to under 30 days, enhancing resilience, and enabling strategic focus, ultimately streamlining processes…

29 May 2024

Developing a seamless user journey website for the National Institute for Health and Care Research

In May 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) unveiled a revamped website. Designed by the Communications and Engagement team,…

24 May 2024

Optimising staffing strategies, cost reductions and strategic governance

Through detailed analysis and strategic governance frameworks, we reduced the usage of agencies for staffing, leading to notable reductions in agency costs and enhanced compliance with national targets.…

21 May 2024

Calculating Quality Reporting Service Local’s impact on driving efficiency in primary care claims management

Our involvement in Calculating Quality Reporting Service (CQRS) Local has proven to be a critical asset in improving efficiency, reducing administrative burdens, transforming governance, and creating a benchmark…

29 April 2024

Aligning medication guidelines: The Cheshire and Merseyside initiative 

The Cheshire and Merseyside initiative, aimed at aligning medication guidelines, has enhanced medication management practices across the region. By improving consistency, streamlining processes, increasing transparency, and promoting continual…

16 April 2024

Scaling non-medical prescribing services for enhanced patient care

Our Medicines Management and Optimisation team has improved patient care by improving processes and automating tasks to ensure timely access to medications and maintain safety through competency assessments…

9 April 2024

Supporting hospital transformation programmes to embed equality, diversity, and inclusion considerations

Between 2022 and 2023, our Inclusion Unit provided a bespoke ‘due regard’ support package to the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme (NHP), helping to further embed…

2 April 2024

Ensuring Care Quality Commission readiness through collaborative intervention at Portway House

Our Nursing and Urgent Care Team’s intervention significantly transformed a care facility, enhancing staff morale, competence, and confidence, ultimately transitioning it from requiring improvement to being well-prepared for…

14 March 2024

The digital transformation of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust website

Our Communications and Engagement team helped Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust achieve a digital overhaul, enhancing website usability, functionality, and accessibility, enabling the trust to better serve and…

20 February 2024

Enhancing stroke risk management by developing a comprehensive reporting dashboard

The implementation of the cardiovascular disease prevention dashboard markedly enhanced stroke prevention strategies, offering healthcare providers critical data on key risk factors and driving substantial improvements in the…

8 February 2024

Transforming tobacco control: How our data analytics improved health outcomes

The development of interactive dashboards and comprehensive data analysis significantly helped NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System to enhance the effectiveness of its tobacco prevention and control…

2 February 2024

Reducing the use of Lorazepam at a dementia nursing care home

Our Medicine Optimisation Care Home team successfully reduced the reliance on regular Lorazepam prescriptions in elderly residents of a dementia nursing care home, improving medication safety and appropriateness…

2 February 2024

Achieving operation excellence and strategic impact

Our adoption of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Procurement Excellence Programme has significantly increased operational control. It has helped us be more confident and proactive,…

29 January 2024

Understanding performance drivers across urgent care pathways

Our Business Intelligence team in partnership with Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care Board, revolutionised data management and decision-making processes within the urgent care pathway, enhancing both efficiency and accuracy by developing a comprehensive, interactive…

17 January 2024

Improving frailty care through data innovation

We developed an innovative, interactive dashboard that has significantly enhanced the delivery and effectiveness of frailty care in Lancashire and South Cumbria, fostering system-wide improvements through comprehensive data…

22 December 2023

Improving workforce sustainability at an NHS foundation trust

Our Organisational Development team implemented a dynamic five-year integrated workforce plan at an NHS foundation trust, resulting in a clear prioritised plan of action to achieve a strategically…

19 December 2023

Supporting the transition to an integrated care board

Our Digital Transformation team’s expertise in programme management significantly enhanced an integrated care system’s readiness for the 2023 integrated care board (ICB) transition, establishing a robust programme management…

13 December 2023

Enhancing programme management office functions at Lancashire and South Cumbria integrated care system

Our Digital Transformation team’s in-depth review and strategic guidance significantly improved Lancashire and South Cumbria integrated care system’s programme management office, leading to enhanced governance, better resource allocation,…

13 November 2023

Navigating winter challenges with a proactive resilience strategy

Our strategy in navigating winter challenges enabled real-time monitoring and prompt adjustments in urgent and emergency care capacity, significantly improving patient outcomes and decision-making processes in the NHS…

10 November 2023

Enhancing equality impact assessments at Terrence Higgins Trust

The Inclusion Unit’s workshops significantly improved Terrence Higgins Trust’s approach to equality impact assessments, fostering deeper engagement, understanding, and a shift towards more inclusive and effective decision-making processes.…

9 November 2023

Driving healthcare transformation through data-driven intelligence

We achieved a system-wide enhancement in healthcare service delivery, decision-making efficiency, and operational effectiveness through advanced data management and performance analytics. Background In 2020, the Lancashire and South…

3 November 2023

Examining health inequalities among people with learning disabilities in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland

This study revealed significant health disparities among people with learning disabilities in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, prompting targeted prevention efforts, increased awareness of intersectionality, and a focus on…

24 October 2023

Implementing Electronic Repeat Dispensing in Halton and St Helens

Our Medicines Management and Optimisation team supported NHS England’s initiative to implement the Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) service across Halton and St Helens CCGs. Over six months, we…

13 October 2023

Empowering Rose: Court of Protection and exemplary application of the Mental Capacity Act

We supported an integrated care board (ICB) to assess the mental capacity of a patient with complex issues, represented the ICB at Court of Protection proceedings and ensured…

13 October 2023

Strengthening Dudley Integrated Health and Care Trusts operations through programme management

Our programme management capabilities significantly enhanced the operations of Dudley Integrated Health and Care Trust, ensuring timely project completion and embedding a value-optimising framework for sustained future success…

27 September 2023

IT integration and facility upgrade for the Shawbirch Medical Centre

Our Digital Transformation team seamlessly transitioned Shawbirch Medical Centre to their new facility, introducing advanced IT systems, successfully integrating neurology services, and enhancing patient experience, all within budget…

25 September 2023

Digital roadmap for implementing a primary care network clinical system hub

We helped implement a clinical system hub which led to significant cost savings, enhanced efficiency, and halved GP time for Worcester City Primary Care Network (PCN), demonstrating the…

25 August 2023

Preventing cardiovascular diseases through lipid therapy modification 

We adopted a systematic strategy to identify primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease which resulted in enhanced lipid therapy, lifestyle advice and a 65% patient satisfaction rate.…

17 August 2023

Improving the safety of patients prescribed clozapine

Our partnership with a local mental health trust resulted in advancements in addressing inadequate clozapine documentation, leading to improved patient safety, optimised medication processes, and quantifiable cost savings.…

14 August 2023

Improving outcomes for vulnerable residents in Lancashire and South Cumbria

Our Business Intelligence team’s data-driven approach led to: improved care access, lowered acute service demand, and empowered patients, making a positive difference for vulnerable residents in Lancashire and…

2 August 2023

Inhaler prescribing errors: Identifying risks and improving patient safety

We improved patient safety and raised awareness across GPs, hospitals and community pharmacy of the risks of prescribing inhalers containing duplicate ingredients from the same drug group by…

31 July 2023

Improving epilepsy services and reducing health inequalities

We brought together patients, experts and care system partners to identify areas of concern which contribute to premature avoidable death in people suffering with learning disabilities and autism…

25 July 2023

Helping a local council to order equipment efficiently

Our management of Staffordshire County Council’s community equipment service led to the elimination of a backlog, improved administrative processes, and the re-establishment of positive stakeholder relationships. As a…

18 July 2023

Bespoke coaching to support staff through new or difficult situations 

We supported staff through challenging situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, organisational change, and developing communication skills which resulted in improved well-being, minimal work-related stress absences, constructive dialogue…

17 July 2023

Understanding mental health attendance in Emergency Departments

Our dashboard on mental health attendance in Emergency Departments empowered commissioners and providers to identify care variations, establish baselines, evaluate initiatives, and enhance support, leading to improved planning…

9 July 2023

Improvement Support Programme North West Acute Trust Provider

Our work with the North West Acute Trust Provider improved their incident and risk management processes, resulting in a notable reduction of open incidents, better risk mitigation, and…

5 July 2023

NHS-funded nursing care reviews

Efficiently completing overdue NHS-funded nursing care reviews within budget, our team ensured individuals’ health and social care needs were met, identified necessary referrals, and fostered strong partnerships with…

26 June 2023

Enhancing elective surgery outcomes

Our expertise in information governance has played a crucial role in improving surgical outcomes through the Surgery Hero project, reducing complications, minimising cancellations, and shortening post-surgery stays. Background…

22 June 2023

Patient flow efficiency in five acute and community trusts

We successfully improved patient flow efficiency in five acute and community trusts, achieving zero ambulance delays, reducing handover times, and implementing timely crew shift completions through data-driven strategies…

22 June 2023

Medicines Safety Assurance Tool (MSAT), developed in 2014 and still in demand

In 2014, we introduced the Medicines Safety Assurance Tool (MSAT) to help healthcare organisations systematically assess medicines safety and ensure compliance with safety alerts. This tool, developed by…

15 June 2023

Increasing patient referrals to the National Diabetes Prevention Programme

By implementing effective strategies, we increased patient referrals to the National Diabetes Prevention Programme. The number of primary care referrals more than doubled, with 42 GP practices actively…

23 May 2023

Supporting the delivery of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICS green plan 

Our support in developing the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICS green plan resulted in a robust and deliverable plan that aligned with the ICS’s objectives, demonstrating their commitment to…

12 May 2023

Support for ICB’s ledger build: Streamlining the transition to an integrated single financial environment

We streamlined the transition to an integrated single financial environment for 11 clinical commissioning groups to integrated care boards (ICBs) ledger builds, delivering all implementations on time with…