Leading change in tissue viability best practice: an action learning programme for link nurse practitioners

This account of practice reports on an action learning initiative designed and implemented in partnership between a regional NHS Acute Trust and a UK Business School. The central initiative was the implementation of an action learning programme entitled ‘Leading change in tissue viability best practice: a development programme for Link Nurse Practitioners’. The purpose was primarily to foster ‘leadership’ in best practice, in frontline nursing staff who have a specific ward-based responsibility regarding ‘tissue viability’, that is the prevention and management of pressure ulcers and wounds. The approach engaged the active involvement of nurses to become problem identifiers and solvers and key influencers in improving practice. The initiative utilized action learning principles to draw out the real experience of nursing staff to identify and analyze the current situation regarding practices around tissue viability issues, to identify significant improvement areas and develop action and implementation plans to achieve improvements. The process of meeting, sharing experience and action planning took place several times over a five-month period from July to December 2009. The initiative is enveloped within a stand-alone University accredited module of the same title accruing 20 credits at level 4. This account provides a timely opportunity to reflect on and evaluate the outcomes of the initiative and the process of learning engaged in by the participants. The initiative was supported and funded by the regional NHS Strategic Health Authority as part of its commitment to improvements in ‘Patient safety’ (National Audit Office -- 2005. London: The Stationery Office).