1. Student Quality Ambassador Programme
Project Lead
Ann Butler
July 2013

2. Date of Implementation
SQA - Background
Phase
Date of Implementation
Summary 1
December 2011
5 students were identified and supported through the HEI they were affiliated to. Following the engagement meeting the students had practice placements where they have been able to consider their role in the practice environment. The feedback from these students was collected and used to inform the launch of phase 2 of the project. 2
September 2012
The number of participants in phase 2 was set as 30 across the North West and students ranged across the 3 years of training and across all branches/fields of nursing. 29 students were recruited from 8 HEI’s. The nominated student’s Trust and HEI representatives were invited to attend the launch event of phase 2.

3. Recruitment to the role
Student self nomination
Application form completed
Agreement sought from practice & HEI

4. Aims of the Role
To develop and implement the Student Quality Ambassadors scheme within interested Higher Education Institutes (HEI) across the Northwest region.
Showcase student innovation projects within Trust’s & develop an internet site where students can share their best practice across the region.
Embed Student Quality Ambassadors within HEIs & practice areas to share best practice and contribute to innovation.
To work alongside quality measurement tools including Recruitment, Transparency and Friends & Family Tests driving improvements in care.
To form a region wide collaboration of HEI and Service Provider organisations to develop initiatives focused on promoting care and compassion within the healthcare and social sector.

5. SQAs can be the voice of students to raise concerns and share good practice to support the openness of enabling concerns and complaints to be raised appropriately without fear.
Offer Leadership which constantly reinforces values & standards of compassionate care
Offer comprehensive feedback on performance & concerns

6. Student Empowerment Sharing of best practice
SQAs have utilised the 15 steps toolkit to assist in identifying and sharing best practice. The students are the fresh eyes looking at the environment and sharing experiences from other areas where they have been on placement.
Evaluation & celebration of achievements
The innovation day allows students who have carried out an innovation in practice, or service improvement module as part of their university studies, to share their findings with the Trust where they have been on placement.

7. Innovation Support Electronic Practice Assessment Record (PAR)
Standardised Numeracy Assessment Project (SNAP)
Values & Behaviours Assessment Tools
E-learning projects
Leadership and motivation for self and other students

8. Values of the NHS
SQAs encourage a culture in which the patient is the priority.
Develop leadership skills & the capability to share values and standards.
Recognises the value of transparency, honesty & candour through developing a quality matrix measurement tool.

9. University Collaboration

10. Trust Collaboration

11. SQA Experience
This role has provided me with the ability to share my innovative ideas with clinical staff as it has given me ‘a voice’ that is actually heard. I am proud to be a student nurse and a student quality ambassador, and this role has given me the confidence to highlight good practice and reward those areas that deserve to be recognised for good student experience that maximises learning opportunities.

12. The role has allowed me to share best practice by utilising the 15 steps challenge. An example of shared best practice is the implementation of a Physical Observation Room on the ward I was on placement after observing this working well in a previous placement.

13. Salford University
We currently have four SQA's at the School of Nursing, Midwifery &Social Work, University of Salford. Our key aim is to support the students in the role and we have worked in partnership with Practice Education Facilitators in the healthcare organisation to promote a communication model. The model provides the structured communications to promote the SQA in the role and provides the supportive environment whereby the student can influence quality in the clinical learning environment. Neil Withnell and Jackie Leigh, Practice Learning Lead, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, University of Salford. Dr Jackie Leigh

14. Phase 3
Phase 3
Total of 57 SQAs have been recruited across the North West region from all 9 of the regional HEIs.
Student nurses within the 4 branches/fields,
Duel Nursing & Social Work Students,
Student Midwives,
Next recruitment of SQAs in September 2013 – Maintain static number across the region

15. Future Plans
Phase 4 Phase 4 will be dependent on the feedback from phase 3. The initial aim of phase 4 is to open up the SQA role to a larger number of students that wish to participate across the North of England.

16. Programme Evaluation Kirkpatrick’s Evaluation Reaction Learning
Behaviour
Results (Return on Investment)

17. Any Questions? Ann.butler@aintree.nhs.uk Twitter @studentquality
Facebook “Student Quality Ambassadors”