The Emergency Care Improvement Programme
The Emergency Care Improvement Programme (ECIP) was launched earlier this month, by Monitor, NHS Trust Development Authority, NHS England and the Department of Health. It will offer practical help and support to the 27 urgent and emergency care systems across England that are under the most pressure. It will support rapid and sustained improvements in quality, safety and patient flow.
The ECIST team work across the country with local health systems. The ECIP programme will build on the work of this team, increasing its size and expanding its networks with experts from other parts of the system. The programme will offer locally embedded programme management support, and the expansion of existing programmes of buddying in health care, these will be matched to ensure areas can provide joint support and advice. The programme will set up four clusters that will bring together senior clinical and professional, operational and managerial staff from challenged systems with colleagues from high performing systems and subject matter experts, to share expertise and build peer support relationships.