Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust purchased the 18 week e-Learning resource in 2014 to enhance staff knowledge of the 18 weeks RTT pathways and support improvements in RTT recordings within the Trust.

Approximately 800 clinical /non-clinical staff who administer patient pathways in relation to 18 week RTT waiting times were identified as requiring training. These staff were asked to complete an initial baseline assessment for the Trust to gain a level of their 18 week RTT pathway knowledge prior to commencement of the training. A small number of staff were hesitant about undertaking the training, however, are now able to see the benefit in terms of their understanding of RTT and translation to their role, impact on patients and the Trust’s compliance with the target.

In addition staff were also invited to attend a 2-hour face to face session. Nine sessions, led by Karen Hyde, Director of 18 weeks e-Learning, were scheduled over 3-week period giving staff an opportunity to ask specific questions relating to their area of work. These sessions were well attended and feedback was extremely positive including comments like “Karen really knows her stuff”.

Following completion of the training modules staff were asked to re-sit the online exam to re-test their knowledge following completion of the training. To date 583 have passed following completion of the training.

The Trust also decided to undertake some bespoke speciality training and 3×1-day were held facilitated by Senior Managers but led by Nicola Cooper from 18 weeks e-Learning, the aim of which was to focus on implementation of the 18 week RTT pathways within key directorates.

As a result of commissioning the eLearning package, the Trust has developed staff core competencies and is in the process of developing an assurance system. This will ensure both standardisation of practice and reliability.

18 week eLearning Directors have been extremely supportive in assisting the Trust to organise the logistics of training, leading face to face sessions and providing advice in relation to specific speciality queries. I personally have found them very knowledgeable and they were very well received by staff groups.