The FCA Approach
The FCA approach is designed to create lasting improvement capability, confident enablers & leaders of continuous improvement and transformation.
The methodology combines practical quality improvement tools, coaching skills and provides a roadmap to follow and we believe this is why the FCA way works.
It aligns well with NHS Impact aims and supports the building of capability, leadership skills and a consistent approach to pathway improvement that is patient focused.
To find out more about when to use the FCA approach have a look at our Learning & Impact section, where you can read about how the methodology was successfully applied at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.
This site cannot replicate the experience of coaches on the ‘Improving with people first’ course, has been designed to give you access to the key learning, tools and resources to help you achieve your pathway improvement goals.
The Methodology
In this section we explain the fundamentals of the FCA way. We believe that improvement is 80% human and 20% technical.
What does this mean?
Whilst quality improvement is a proven science with tools that provide structure when undertaking improvement work, it is the people involved that determine the success.
For this reason, team/ group coaching techniques are at the heart of our method, because change and improvement initiatives rely on people changing their behaviour and doing something differently.
The FCA way consists of
- An improvement roadmap to follow
- QI Tools, Techniques and templates to use
- Co-coaching Improvement
- How to create a space for improvement to happen called a ‘Big Room’
Disclaimer: Please be aware that you may find references to infrastructure that were part of the course but are not available in this public version of the e-Learning. This means that some links do not work. We have done our best to remove these where possible, apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
Introducing the FCA Roadmap
QI Tools, Techniques and templates
The FCA approach uses standard QI tools such as driver diagrams, SPC charts and the PDSA. It also introduces some of its own techniques to support different stages in the roadmap. All the templates can be found in our RESOURCE AREA. The FCA method focuses on how to coach others to use these tools, you can find out more about this in the next section, but, here is an example from our eLearning.
Complete the Coaching PDSA e-Learning module
Review Supporting resources
Co-coaching Improvement
The FCA way is based on a co-coaching model and the most effective partnerships have a varied skill set. One coach is an established clinician who brings specialist knowledge, credibility and can influence key stakeholders. The other should be an experienced person external to the pathway who brings a fresh pair of eyes as well as objectivity and balance.
The coaching journey takes time; mastering coaching techniques and becoming skilled at coaching others in QI. We have gathered some of our resources to support you to coach your own improvement. You can find out about the skills you need to be a good coach and follow links to our coaches perspectives stories.
Complete the “Coaching scenarios” e-Learning module
Review Supporting resources
Context for Improvement to take place ‘Big Room’
In this section learn how to prepare for and build a Big Room and the core elements required.
Big Rooms are a weekly coached meeting where teams come together to build relationships, collaborate and develop a shared purpose. They are made up of a wide range of people who work within or are connected to the pathway and help to develop a culture of continuous improvement. Ultimately, the Big Room allows front line staff to take ownership of improvement work facilitated through coached discussions.
Complete the “Building a big room” e-Learning module
Review Supporting Resources
Find out more about the course and its impact: