Case Study: George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust achieves continuous workforce improvement with NHS Employers' EXCEL programme

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust - Customer Case Study

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust faced a cultural challenge with an unengaged workforce and unclear vision, which contributed to its placement into special measures following a review. The trust enlisted the support of vendor NHS Employers and its consultant, Christine Belcher, to adopt a new approach to staff engagement and development.

The solution, implemented by NHS Employers, was a long-term 'EXCEL' program that involved the workforce in creating a shared set of value pledges. This was embedded through a behavioral framework, recognition schemes, and improved communication. As a result, the trust was lifted from special measures with a 'Good' CQC rating, and staff survey scores, including engagement and recommendation rates, showed consistent improvement.

George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust