The Productive Series developed by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement has helped save over £1.4 billion for the NHS and improved productivity in various trusts. It is considered one of the most successful improvement programs in NHS history. New e-learning modules have been developed in partnership with Virtual College to enhance delivery of the Productive Series, making training more accessible and beneficial for trusts. The e-learning does not replace face-to-face training but provides complementary online content that allows for rapid, large-scale training of healthcare workers to standardize productivity improvements across the NHS in a flexible, cost-effective manner.

1. Institute for Innovation
and Improvement
VIRTUAL
C O L L E G E
Enhancing the success of The Productive Series with e-learning
The new Productives e-learning modules can have a big impact and
enhance delivery, making it even more accessible and beneficial for
trusts looking to improve productivity.
What impact has The Productive Series had?
Developed by the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement The Productive Series is widely
hailed as one of the most successful improvement programmes in the history of the NHS and has
the potential to save £1.4bn* across the NHS by 2014.
Some examples of the impressive savings made so far include the following:
• University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust has achieved a £2 million saving in
just one year as a result of using The Productive Operating Theatre to help reduce waiting lists.
• Community teams at Leicestershire County and Rutland Community Health Services have
saved an enormous £134,000 in one year by improving the way they order and manage stock.
• Haltemprice Neighbourhood Care Team, part of Humber NHS Foundation Trust, saved over
4,300 hours in one year through improved workload planning and re-organised stores.
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”
Lynn Callard, Interim Director of Productivity and Quality and National Lead for The Productive
Care QIPP Work Stream at the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement.
Where does e-learning fit in?
The NHS Institute has teamed up with Virtual College to provide a complementary e-learning
package. Designed to increase access to accredited training for healthcare workers, the
Productives e-learning can rapidly increase the number of practitioners involved in improving
productivity and quality of care in the NHS.
*http://www.institute.nhs.uk/quality_and_value/productivity_series/finance_teams.html

2. To try out a free introductory module,
visit www.theproductives.com
or to find our more call Craig Marshall on 01943 885086
or email info@theproductives.com
Why e-learning?
E-learning doesn’t replace the face-to-face aspects of the programme, instead it enhances
the programmes, making them even more beneficial for individuals, teams and trusts
looking to improve productivity.
Using e-learning can be quick, nimble and highly effective in enabling large numbers of
staff to be trained to a high standard in a short timeframe.
For example, an online module produced by Virtual College in partnership with NHS
Diabetes allowed over 90,000 staff to be trained in methods to improve safety around
insulin use.
Other benefits of using e-learning also include the following.
• Flexibility – staff can choose to complete training at times most suitable for them and
in bite-sized chunks that fit around their other commitments.
• Cost reduction – e-learning does away with the need for expensive travel costs or
back-filling.
• Improved understanding – staff benefit more from the face-to-face training they
receive when they have been primed with theory in advance through their
online learning.
• Team cohesion is improved when team members understand the processes needed so
that they can get involved with projects to improve productivity.
The Productives e-learning in action
Introducing Productives e-learning to your organisation
The Productives e-learning packages are currently available for The Productive
Ward, The Productive Mental Health Ward, The Productive Community Hospital
and Productive Community Services.
E-learning helps new members of staff to get involved with the excellent Productives work we
are already doing and is a great refresher for those who attended training some time ago.
“
”
Sue Speak, Head of Service Improvement at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust
We use the modules to introduce teams to the concept of the Productive programme,
improving team cohesion on wards carrying out projects to improve quality of care and
productivity. We’ve also found the modules can help prepare staff for workshops, giving them
time to reflect on theory in advance so they gain even more from the face-to-face element.
“
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Jacqueline Morton, Head of Continuous Improvement at
Southern Health & Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland