The Southampton Action on Quality Project

Abstract

The Southampton Action on Quality Project is funded by the Mental Handicap Services Unit of Southampton and South West Hampshire Health Authority. The aim of the project is to develop a total quality management approach in the service so as to continually improve the quality of life of clients. Unit by unit, workshops based on a modified version of the Welsh Standards Matrix have been carried out and followed up by regular review meetings. Early indications are that the approach has contributed to staff commitment to quality and led to changes in service provision that should enhance the clients' quality of life. The next phase of the project will be concerned with monitoring the extent to which the clients' quality of life has been affected by service changes.