Born out of a regional leadership practice sharing event in September 2015 a Community of Practice was established with the remit to spread compassionate leadership innovations and help co-create a resource for sharing best practice.
We then launched our ‘Leading with Compassion’ recognition scheme. This is a really simple scheme whereby anyone (patient, carer or staff member) can nominate anyone who they feel has acted with compassion. Each and every person nominated receives a bespoke card detailing the nomination and a badge.
Nominations are made by completing a card and posting it in a box designed for the scheme, or using the website to complete this form (www.nhscompassion.org).
Our compassion recognition scheme is best described in our two videos; the first describes the compelling case for change: https://vimeo.com/hyperfinemedia/review/147453858/a8d9629c44
On 14th February 2017 we held our Compassion Celebration Event where we shared our journey to date, and also our analysis of the 1500 nominations received from 11 NHS organisations.
There are two simple questions on the nomination form
1. “How did the person lead with compassion?” (The action)
2. “What was the impact on you/and or others?” (The impact).
Our second compassion recognition video describes our findings. Click here; https://vimeo.com/hyperfinemedia/review/203803743/8d3259ccb9
The outcome of this analysis has enabled us to develop a working definition of compassion from the health and social care community in the West Midlands which we believe is the first to characterise compassion in this way.
Our website www.nhscompassion.org not only acts as a resource for the wider healthcare community to share best practice, research and inspirational stories but is also the central point for online nominations from the 11 participating organisations which continue to stream in daily.
To date, 1500 compassionate acts have been shared across 11 NHS organisations, which have given rise to 1500 potential experiences to spread positive behaviours, whilst also simultaneously enhancing 1500 staff members experience of their work.
A package of learning materials has been developed for organisations interested in introducing the scheme as tried and tested material .
We are now working on a roving interactive and practical road show for all participating organisations, sharing the teaching materials with all Trusts who have helped shape the tools and progressing our partnership learning and community of practice in action.
We will also continue our strong relationship with our regional OD community, our compassion community of practice and also with Health Education in the West Midlands to share learning.