Breaking the Silly Rules for Better Care
The ‘Silly Rules’ initiative, in partnership with Llais and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, aims to identify, clarify, and eliminate unnecessary rules to drive improvements in how we deliver and receive health and care services.
What is the ‘Silly Rules’ Initiative?
The Silly Rules Initiative is a campaign designed to empower patients and staff in health and social care to identify and challenge unnecessary rules and administrative barriers that hinder effective and efficient care. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by a policy or procedure that seems to create more obstacles than solutions, this is your chance to make a difference.
By participating in our survey, you can share your experiences and help us highlight these challenges. Your input is essential for creating a more streamlined healthcare system, improving patient outcomes, and ensuring that resources are used where they matter most. Together, we can remove the barriers to better care and build a more responsive and efficient health and social care environment for everyone.
Resources
Guides
Health Organisation Guide – English
Health Organisation Guide – Welsh
Social Care Organisation Guide – English
Social Care Organisation Guide – Welsh
Public Guide – English
Public Guide – Welsh
Posters
Examples of Silly Rules
Rules that need
Clarity
Myths and habits that are perceived as rules but aren’t actually policies. These can be clarified by debunking myths, tying rationale back to the rules, and seeking clarification from the entities responsible.
“We must have three signatures for every order, even for small purchases.”
Rules that need
Redesign
Administrative rules that we, as leaders, have the power to change. These rules can be revised by engaging with colleagues and professional associations to tackle similar challenges.
“Staff must fax documents instead of emailing them, even when emails are faster and more secure.”
Rules that need
Advocacy
Rules that are in place due to regulations or policies beyond organisational control. By using collective advocacy, these rules can be addressed with the appropriate entities for change.
“Healthcare professionals are required to fill out a specific form for every patient visit, even though the information is already captured digitally.”
How Silly Rules Are Changed
1. Survey of Silly Rules
Staff and patients submit their ‘silly rules’ through our survey, sharing any unnecessary rules or practices that may hinder care delivery or staff efficiency.
2. Collation of Feedback
The Bevan Commission gathers all the feedback, sorting and categorising the rules into actionable themes.
3. Feedback to Organisations
The compiled feedback is then shared with relevant health and care organisations, allowing them to review the rules and understand how they affect their services.
4. Review of Rules
Health and care organisations assess the rules, determining which ones need clarification, redesign, or advocacy for regulatory changes.
5. Implementation
Finally, health and care organisations work on implementing the changes to improve care processes and eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic barriers.
Join the briefing session
This session aims to provide information to health and social care staff and organisational leads about the ‘Silly Rules’ survey and initiative in Wales, as well as to provide an opportunity for questions.
If you have any queries, please contact bevan-commission@swansea.ac.uk
Watch Don Berwick’s Masterclass on Silly Rules
Complete the Survey
Your input can help us break down the barriers that prevent better care.
Share your experience, and together, we can make a difference.
If you have any queries, please contact bevan-commission@swansea.ac.uk
