Blog: Why personalising conversations with colleagues and patients matters

By Dr Chris Weiner, Medical Director, Derby and Derbyshire ICB

When I think about how we can improve patient care there are many options – from service redesign, engagement with people, more resources and many more.

But we know from feedback, that it is the human touch given at a person’s moment of need which means the most.

This is why treating patients and our colleagues with respect, dignity, time and understanding is so important.

But how do we do that most effectively?

Launching today, Quality Conversations have developed a new eLearning package, which will help all health, social and voluntary care staff across the Joined-Up Care Derbyshire System to do just that.

The eLearning is broken into three modules which take approximately 20 minutes each to complete. They can be done all at once or separately over time, whatever works best for you. The modules cover:

  • health inequalities and the impact they have in Derby and Derbyshire
  • how to listen well
  • how to personalise your interactions with patients and colleagues. 

The training will be offered to all new starters as part of their induction process. It is also available to all existing staff.

Just click on the link to sign up for the training:

The Quality Conversations Programme also offers more in-depth training, with a range of free, facilitated training.  Real-time sessions are delivered to groups of up to 20 people over teams, all you need is access to a computer with a camera and microphone and a quiet space. You will get a chance to learn new skills, ask questions and practice those skills in small groups.

Sign up to the relevant session found here on the JUCD website, topics include:

  • Core Skills
  • Clear conversations – verbal health literacy
  • Having behaviour change conversations
  • Quality conversations for mental health
  • Supporting people to support themselves
  • Quality conversations for leaders

I’m a great advocate for understanding and valuing the importance of the verbal and physical language we use and the positive impact this has when done correctly.

Quality Conversations skills can make the world of difference for both staff and patients, carers. These skills can help us leave a lasting positive memory for someone following a difficult time in their life.  Effective communication can also help us all enjoy day-to-day working life and making the interactions we have with both staff and colleagues more rewarding.

So, if you work in any organisation in the Joined Up Care Derbyshire system, please take the time to look at the Quality Conversations training and choose the training that suits your needs. It really could make a huge difference to someone’s experience (and yours!).