Royal Children's Hospital

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Practice development

Inspired by Garbett & McCormack’s definition of practice development as 'a continuous process of improvement towards increased effectiveness in patient-centred care' the RCH nursing service has developed a vision & implemented a framework & strategies to support practice development.¹

The vision guiding practice development at RCH is the:

• development of an organisation wide culture of child and youth focused and family friendly, evidenced based care.

Simply put practice development is anything that improves patient and client care.  On a daily basis this involves action by each and every one of us in three key areas:

• Patients & clients – working to examine the ways things are done & looking at ways to improve
• Staff – creating a supportive culture when staff feel listened too and valued
• CHS – contributing to a value based performance culture that is child and youth focused and family friendly

1. Garbett & McCormack. A Concept Analysis of Practice Development. NT Research 2002; 7.2: 87-99.

The RCH's philosophy of practice development is embodied in the Practice Development Unit.