Scottish Quality and Safety Fellowship (SQSF)

Programme objectives

To develop clinical leaders capable of improving the quality and safety of health and healthcare for the people of Scotland.

To enhance knowledge of the science and methods for improvement amongst clinicians who have enthusiasm, experience and skills to:

• support the development of safety programmes
• spread improvements both within their organisation and nationally
• establish a learning support network for transformational leadership for Quality Improvement
• complement wider improvement capacity building programmes within NHS Scotland while supporting NHS Scotland workforce development
• strengthen cooperation and collaboration with important overseas healthcare providers in Europe and beyond

Who can apply?

The Fellowship is open to healthcare staff who currently undertake clinical practice and have a direct influence on improving the delivery of safe patient care, as well as staff in clinical professions (e.g. medical, nursing, pharmacy, AHP, healthcare scientists, ambulance) who do not currently deliver hands-on care but do have a role in improving patient care or safety.

The SQSF programme is funded for Scottish applicants by NHS Education for Scotland and partner organisations, meaning there is no charge to NHS Boards or participants.

Programme recruitment

Recruitment for cohort 17 is now closed. Recruitment for cohort 18 will start in January 2026.

See more information on this course at Turas.

Introduction to SQSF Highland (video)

Watch the video recording of our drop-in session (opens in SharePoint - login needed):

Introduction to the Scottish Quality and Safety Fellowship (SQSF) Programme for clinical and operational leaders across NHS Highland and the Highland Council

During the recording you will find out about the SQSF, hear the questions asked and consider whether you are interested in applying.

We were joined by Shobhan Thakore, Consultant in Emergency Medicine NHS Tayside, also Clinical Lead for the Scottish Quality and Safety Fellowship and National Lead for Unscheduled Care.