QIClearn provide accredited courses designed for people whose time is precious who need flexible learning opportunities that they can fit around their life. Our approach, which is grounded in academic research and shaped by our longstanding experience of working in healthcare, is also based on the principle that how we learn is just as important as what we learn.
When it comes to online learning we really know our stuff. We know that effective learning occurs in vibrant social spaces brimming with conversation. All of our learning is fully responsive which means you can access it from your choice of device, in your own time and at your own pace.
QIClearn help you to choose something that is achievable, bite-sized and results in evidence to support your learning and credentials.
We have a wealth of support and information to help learners succeed. Discover case studies Child Health QI posters, get support from mentors who have been through the courses themselves. We often have parent learners attending our courses which add a valuable perspective throughout.
Our courses result in measurable change. Discover how to close the audit loop and see the change. Make a difference where you are right now. Our coaches are reviewers for poster publications, reviewers for BMJ quality and safety, experts in QI and leadership and have been coaching learners for many years.
So how do I start?
You can jump straight into our 4 week Getting Started course right away. It offers an immediate, online learning course with access to coaching support and social learning experience.
Or why not consider registering for our flagship Improve ONE thing: Paediatrics course? This is a 18 week course with 2 virtual workshops and coaching throughout. We offer a course open to all paediatric trainees here (OPEN) or a designated course for London School of Paediatrics which can be found here. We are pleased to announce our latest Improve ONE thing: Maternity course is now open for registration here.
If you would like your own local designated course – please contact team@qiclearn.com to discuss options ad coach availability. We typically take 16-24 students as one cohort.
Our micro-learning pieces are tried and tested with learners. Each tool or technique taught is delivered using 3minuteQI (small bites of quality improvement with a big impact) and an associated worksheet, a format that helps people move from knowing to doing using practical work-based activities. Our structured programmes keep learners on track to deliver, with the evidence they need for accreditation, portfolios and appraisals.
Meet our team
Nicola Davey
Director of the Quality Improvement Clinic
Nicola is a director and founder of the Quality Improvement Clinic (QIC) of which QIClearn is a subsidiary enterprise.
She leads the design and delivery of QIClearn programmes and excels in working with healthcare organisations to develop better patient services. In the past 3 years she has been overseen the development and use of innovative online digital learning and has integrated this into all QIClearn programmes.
She has designed, developed and delivered programmes to 1000’s of learners and has coached 100’s to complete Quality Improvement Projects in a wide range of clinical and non-clinical settings. Nicola is passionate about developing others and has helped many people develop themselves in order to teach others.
Nicola is a well-known and highly experienced quality improvement practitioner. This expertise and her passion for better services is translated into high-quality content for QIClearn participants.
A pharmacist by background she has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare sector. She has a post-graduate certificate in Advanced Improvement for Quality and Safety, is a trustee of the Clinical Human Factors Group and is a member of the Health Foundations College of Assessors and Q community.
Laura Longley
Laura is responsible for the identity and presence of QIClearn, she liaises with our learning designers to lead the development and continual improvement of our QIClearn programmes .
Laura is an experienced business development manager, with a background in learning/training. Laura has extensive experience working in business management, marketing, channel enablement and public relations. Her passion is finding a role where she can showcase her creative skills which includes managing the QIClearn online presence and identity. Laura works closely with our clients to showcase the value QIClearn can bring.
Laura is excited by social and virtual learning and helps to create experiential learning, adapted to client needs, she is always looking for ways to improve the expanding business.
Dr Heather Shearer MAcadMEd
Heather has a portfolio of work that supports health and care people to improve their working lives and the services which they provide.
She works with the University of St Andrews Medical School to bring Agents for Change (including Quality Improvement) curriculum to undergraduate medical education. With QIC she supports postgraduate trainees who are learning about quality improvement approaches. As well as these QI roles she is an Executive Coach and has clients from a wide range of professional backgrounds and levels of seniority.
Her previous roles have in the NHS in England and Scotland have been at local, regional and national levels; and in both provider and commissioner organisations. She has supported board members to enhance their quality improvement skills and confidence in leading and governing organizations.
She holds a PhD in Psychology (2001) and a variety of quality improvement, coaching and educational qualifications.
Dr Tom Kenny
Tom started his professional career in General Practice using improvement science to transform his own Practice. From there he moved into NHS management and then into Public Health Medicine.
Tom has worked at every level of commissioning in the NHS as clinical director for practice based commissioning, director of commissioning for a primary care trust, medical adviser for specialised commissioning and medical adviser for national highly specialised commissioning. During this time Tom worked with NSCAG, NCG, and AGNSS in the programme evaluating drugs for use in rare diseases that became the NICE process for evaluating drugs for Ultra-Orphan diseases. A key task of this role was turning real-world data into useable clinical evidence.
Tom was director of external relations and then director of research delivery and impact for the NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Co-ordinating Centre. During this time Tom oversaw the delivery of a portfolio of >800 active research projects across 5 of the NIHR programmes.
Tom has worked with a number of pharmaceutical companies supporting the design of research, interpretations of finding and articulation of evidence to facilitate better payer decision-making.
Tom now works for Rare Disease Research Partners, designing, developing and delivering bespoke research programmes and overseeing the clinical content of projects.
Tom has a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Public Health and has written books and published a range of papers particularly on services for rare diseases. Tom has been an examiner for the postgraduate MFPH part A exam and has extensive experience coaching and mentoring doctors and has the ILM (level 5) certificate in coaching and mentoring.
Stephanie Meddick-Dyson
After completing a Biochemistry and Medical degree, Stephanie is a now an Academic Clinical Fellow Registrar in Palliative Medicine with full membership to the Royal College of Physicians.
She has a keen interest in working to improve the quality of care delivered and the job satisfaction of those around her. In her early career as a foundation doctor, Stephanie took part in one of QIClearn’s initial programmes learning about QI methodology and putting them into practice. This has set her up throughout her career to use the techniques effectively and build on that experience. After seeing the cascade of positives coming from completing the programme, including scoring highly on both portfolio and interview stations in job applications as she has progressed through her career, she is now pleased to be able to share her knowledge to facilitate the same development in others.
Stephanie is also currently undertaking an MSc in Medical Sciences by thesis.
Dionne Matthews
Dionne specializes in working across complex systems and learning through doing. She obtained her PhD in Cardiovascular health in November 2013 and holds an MSc in Sport and Exercise Science, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Kinesiology. Dionne has conducted research within several populations and has contributed to publications in cardiovascular health, sport science and quality improvement. Dionne has worked on quality improvement implementation within the NHS since 2015 across several NHS Trusts and also has a passion for value based healthcare.
Dionne obtained an NIHR CLAHRC NWL fellowship, which introduced her to the world of improvement science. She went on to work at NIHR CLAHRC NWL and conducted research under the umbrella of the breathlessness theme, engaging clinicians and patients in a discussion around best practice for management of chronic conditions such as heart failure and COPD.
Dionne is currently responsible for expanding the use of real-world evidence in a new hospital network called ARWEN. Through building strong relationships with healthcare providers and key opinion leaders, she is focusing on scientific exchange through interactions with physicians, scientific organizations and internal stakeholders. She drives collaborations by supporting outbound and inbound digital marketing campaigns and working with healthcare professionals to improve the use of RWE and tackle healthcare inequalities.
Rose Woodall Simmons
Rose has been an integral part of the QIC team for many years. She is responsible for our account management activities and ensuring the smooth running of the business. Rose works with our clients to make sure they are invoiced and communicated to within a timely manner. Rose is a key point of contact with our clients and also responsible for sending out learner resource and goody packs for our virtual workshops. She plans and executes the learning course administration, making sure all our learners are where the need to be to get the most out of their learning.
Becci McKone
Becci supports the Quality Improvement Clinic and QIClearn in administration and marketing. She has a background in healthcare as well as education and event administration.
Becci is currently focussing on our bid and framework offer to make us more accessible to clients while supporting Laura with our social media presence.
Her interest lies in streamlining processes and systems and she has been working with the team to improve the experience for our clients through making the internal functions of the company as efficient as possible.
Emma Harvey
Emma supports the QIClearn programmes in an administrative function, ensuring the smooth and efficient running of all programmes and workshops.
Emma has extensive programme management experience working mainly in the health and not-for-profit sector. She has a wide range of excellent skills including diplomacy, analytical ability, superb written skills, and an extensive knowledge of technical and computer software. Emma enjoys being organised and using her own initiative to ensure all the small details and more complex challenges are met in a timely manner. Emma has high standards of efficiency and enjoys using her relational skills to ensure all programmes are delivered on time with everything perfectly in place.
Emma also has a background in visual art and enjoys utilising her graphic design skills where possible.
Meet the rest of the QIC team
Our clients say…
London School of Paediatrics
The London School of paediatrics aims to support everyday excellence in paediatric training. Most paediatric learning comes from doing the job and with the varied programmes in London, trainees develop the skills and knowledge they need during their posts. QIClearn has worked in partnership with the London School of Paediatrics for 4 years. Through our Improve ONE thing: Paediatrics programme we have created over 70 LSP QI change Champions and role models, some of who have become mentors to support the next cohorts of QI Change Champions.
HEE England (regional)
Health Education England (HEE) exists for one reason only: to support the delivery of excellent healthcare and health improvement to the patients and public of England by ensuring that the workforce of today and tomorrow has the right numbers, skills, values and behaviours, at the right time and in the right place. QIClearn delivers a number of regional courses and programmes to support this aim, including Wessex Consultant Practitioner Trainee programme (2013-ongoing), Improve ONE thing: Paediatrics (2018 – ongoing), Improve ONE thing: Emergency Medicine (2019 – ongoing), Clinical Leadership and Management: Paediatrics (2021 – ongoing)
Hexitime
Hexitime is the skill exchange and timebank for improving the quality of health and care in the UK. QIClearn are delighted to work in partnership with this innovative platform that is attracting interest and participation from so many people and places. In 2021 we look forward to developing a shared collaborative space and exploring the possibilities of co-design and co-production together.