“Attending the QI silver training has taught me a different way of looking at problems I face in my day to day work so that I can handle them in a better way to improve things for my patients.”

Esther Streek is the Orthotic Manager which was formerly surgical appliances at Harrogate District Hospital. She has a clerical team of two and her role includes processing referrals and co-ordinating the out-patient clinics.

The project that she has been involved in relates to a change in prescription charges for prosthetic wigs for patients with alopecia or cancer. Instead of the patient having to cover the cost, Ester has put forward the idea of a voucher scheme with the Trusts approval. The voucher system means that patients are covered for wig costs up to £75 and it has created a fairer more equitable service for patients.

Attending the QI silver training has taught Esther a different way of looking at problems she faces in her day to day work so that she can handle them in a better way to improve things for her patients. As a result, Esther’s team have created a fairer system in which patients who might not have been able to afford wigs are supported to do so. Esther plans to continue to monitor the new system and cost savings as well as take on board patient feedback, alongside her team.

Esther attended the Improvement Academy Silver Quality Improvement training day, funded through the Yorkshire and Humber AHSN on 19th November 2018.