Monthly meetings between the resident doctor peer lead and senior trust leadership have helped give the improvement programme at East Cheshire clear direction and sustained momentum.

Named leaders are accountable for elements of the 10-Point Plan, with clear oversight and escalation to board level.

There has been progress across the 10 points:

• work schedules are now issued reliably 8 weeks in advance, giving doctors the certainty they need to plan work and personal commitments.
• payroll processes are being strengthened to reduce pay errors, with a particular focus on improving accuracy during rotation periods.
• annual leave processes are under active review. The trust wants to make requesting and taking leave simpler, fairer and more consistent.
• doctors who have recently completed mandatory or statutory training elsewhere will no longer be asked to repeat it unnecessarily.
• expense claims are now consistently reimbursed within the 6-week target timeframe.
• nap rooms with sofa beds and reclining chairs are available for doctors working extended or overnight shifts.

The trust is tracking progress against the 10 points and using feedback from doctors to refine its approach.