Course summary

What is special about this course? Are you interested in influencing or effecting changes that will lead to better outcomes for patients or users of health and social care services? Do you wish to encourage quality improvement across your organisation? If you would like to be a future quality improvement leader then this PgCert Healthcare Quality Improvement will be of interest to you. There is increasing interest across the world in innovative approaches to improving quality, and reducing waste, harm and variation in both the public and private sector. Despite a decrease in mortality from cancer, heart disease and stroke, and an associated increased life expectancy, there is a growing demand for health and social care services. There is therefore an urgent need to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of health and social care services to ensure they meet the current and predicted future needs of the population. This programme will give you the opportunity to learn quality improvement methods and approaches. You will combine the practical application of several quality improvement methods, including the Model for Improvement, Lean, and Patient Safety approaches, with a deep theoretical understanding that can be applied to a wide range of health and social care contexts. The course includes an emphasis on the critical analysis of improvement methods and the use of quality improvement tools and techniques, to address waste, harm and variation in the health and social care system. It also reviews person-centred quality care including principles, key drivers and the impact of human interactions on adverse events. The course is open to a wide range of individuals including nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, care workers, health care scientists, health care managers and administrators, facilities and estates staff. It is also suitable for people working in health and social care settings in charities or the independent sector, and who have an interest in, or responsibility for, quality improvement. Special features ◾100% overall student satisfaction (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2021 and 2022) ◾The course is delivered part time, online, which means you can fit your studies around your work and personal commitments ◾Developed and taught in collaboration with a team of healthcare professionals, academic and industry experts ◾You will develop a toolbox of techniques that can be applied to a wide range of health and social care contexts ◾You will have the opportunity to meet fellow students and tutors by attending the online virtual induction, usually held early September. This is a half day event, and we strongly recommend that all new students attend ◾You can study individual modules for personal or professional development, or work towards the full PgCert ◾Successful completion of this programme will allow you to progress on to our MA Health and Wellbeing. ◾Staff teaching on the programme won the UHI HISA Award for Best Online Tutor in 2019 (and were Highly Recommended in 2020) How long will my course last? ◾Part-time (unstructured): 18 months Please note that UHI North Highland, UHI Outer Hebrides and UHI West Highland have changed their names to become UHI North, West and Hebrides. This will not impact on your choice of course or how and where you will study.