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 - now open

The deadline for NHS Highland applications is 18 March 2026. 

Please note that whilst NES open applications for cohort 18 on 30 January 2026, no applications from NHS Highland must be sent to NES prior to following the the steps below:

1. A fully completed application form must be submitted to rebecca.eaves@nhs.scot by 18 March 2026. You must ensure you have enough time to get your line manager's support statement and signature on your application by then. You do not need the professional lead signature, this will be provided for you if your application is supported by NHS Highland.
2. You must be available to check your emails between 2 and 8 April 2026, whereby if you are successful you will receive via email your final signed application form. You will then be responsible to get this sent on to NES in time for the closing date on 10 April 2026.

Applicants, please note the first step is to discuss your interest with your line manager. If supported, your manager must provide a supporting statement and sign off your time and travel to attend all the sessions as per the application pack, and take part in a study trip.

See the application pack and course information 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.