'Back to the floor Friday' proves popular with nurses

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, in collaboration with Buckinghamshire New University, is undertaking an action research project to evaluate its Back to the floor Friday initiative which is funded by the Foundation of Nursing Studies/General Nursing Council Trust partnership programme.

Back to the floor Friday was launched by the Trust Director of Nursing, Professor Janice Sigsworth, in January with the over-arching aim of improving the patient experience through strengthened and visible clinical nurse and midwife leadership. As a result, all nurses and midwives above Band 7, a total of 171, return to clinical practice in uniform every Friday to undertake work relevant to their role.

Professor Janice Sigsworth, who is also a visiting professor to Bucks New University’s nursing and healthcare team, commented: “The vision for nursing and midwifery at the Trust is to work in partnership with our patients to deliver the kind of care that we would want our family and friends to receive. We strive in all we do to identify and meet patients’ and families’ needs and to deliver world class care. The Back to the floor Friday initiative is just one part of a comprehensive work programme to help us to achieve this.”

The action research evaluation project is led by Dr Kathryn Jones, Deputy Director of Nursing at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and Dr Lauren Griffiths, Head of School Advanced & Continuing Practice at Bucks New University. The role of the University is to provide academic support to those undertaking the project.

The evaluation explores the impact of the initiative on the improvement of patient experience and on patient care. To date, two surveys and two focus groups have been undertaken with the nurses and midwives who are taking part in Back to the floor Friday. Early themes emerging from the data relate to empowerment, learning together, professional networking, communication, championing change and ‘Matron Power’, and the feedback from many nurses and midwives has been very positive. Comments include:

“I think this initiative is absolutely superb it ensures that at least one day per week one can solely focus on nursing within the department. It gives the chance to audit and to maintain a presence on the unit enabling me to role model for the junior nurses.”

“It is important for ward staff to see senior nurses willing to participate in delivering patient care. Other disciplines appreciate the ‘burgundy brigade’ being on the ward.”

“I currently work with the ward staff at the bed side on a daily basis but benefit from hearing the current thoughts, ideas and objectives at the Back to the floor Friday briefings.”

“Consultant medical staff believe senior nurses being in uniform on a dedicated day has had a very positive effect in the clinical areas.”

Workshops will be held in early 2010 with modern matrons and clinical nurse specialists to explore the ways in which nurses and midwives who work ‘on the floor’ every day can contribute to the initiative. Focus groups will also be held with Band 5 and Band 6 nurses and midwives and with therapy and medical colleagues.

For further information about the initiative, please email Dr Lauren Griffiths at lauren.griffiths@bucks.ac.uk.