Essence of Care--a key approach in improving patient care

This project work is an illustration of how nurses can take a leading role in championing patient care. A small group of mental health nurses in a London Trust embarked on 'getting the fundamentals right' in their quest to improve care given to patients. A working group was formed to take this idea forward: The Essence of Care Steering Group. The group uses the Essence of Care benchmarking principles as a base, and an integral part of clinical governance as a guide. It takes a structured approach to sharing and comparing practice, enabling it to identify best practice and to develop action plans to remedy poor practice. Success is seen in the improvements in the quality and care experience of patients, carers and staff at local levels. Common standards in care across the service areas can be achieved and care can be measured in a more structured way across the service areas with easier, more constructive and meaningful sharing of information and skills. Staff morale is also enhanced.