Return on Investment: RCN Frontline First Innovations, and the Office for Public Management (OPM)

The key argument within the RCN's Front Line First Campaign is that front line jobs should not be cut and patient care should not be affected by austerity measures. Instead waste should be eradicated from the system and nursing innovations should be recognised as solutions.

The RCN is committed to showcasing nurse-led innovation and building nursing’s innovation capacity and capability. Nurse led innovations submitted though the RCNs Front Line First website clearly demonstrate that nurses are managing resources effectively and developing and re-designing services around patient need. They know that they are working efficiently and improving clinical and cost effectiveness. However, whilst many nurses have the skills to demonstrate the clinical effectiveness of their innovations, not so many are able to clearly demonstrate their cost effectiveness. For this reason, the RCN is working in partnership with the Office for Public Management (OPM) to calculate 'return on investment' on nurse-led innovations.

Case Studies

Bradford & Airedale Community Health Services

How supporting Health Care Assistants to manage pressure sores can save up to £90,000 per annum, reduce prevalence of pressure ulcers and improve quality of life for patients.

OPM Case Study: Bradford Pressure Ulcers (PDF, 68KB)

Central & Eastern Cheshire PCT

How a comprehensive in-reach and out-reach respiratory support for primary and secondary care, which includes a comprehensive oxygen assessment service as well as COPD care training for clinicians across the whole of the PCT area, can save up to £1.1m per annum and improve quality of life for patients.

OPM Case Study: Cheshire Respiratory Support (PDF, 79KB)

RCN Congress 2011

The Office of Public Management and the RCN are working together to calculate 'return on investment' on nurse-led innovation. The attached presentation was given at a fringe during RCN Congress 2011.