January 21, 2026Northern Health’s Transformation team is proud to deliver the Learning Improvement Science at Northern Health (LISN) program for its tenth consecutive year, marking a decade of empowering staff with practical tools to drive meaningful healthcare improvement.
In 2026, the program will include at least six sessions delivered across the year, supporting staff capability and reinforcing Northern Health’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in patient care.
LISN is a dynamic, one-day workshop that teaches healthcare improvement methodology through a combination of theory and hands-on simulation.
Using a Day Procedure Unit (DPU) scenario, participants step into real-world roles, including surgeons, nurses and clerks, to experience the complexities of care delivery.
Through multiple improvement cycles, teams identify opportunities to enhance patient outcomes, reduce documentation errors, and improve efficiency using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) approach and the IHI Model for Improvement.
Aligned with the Department of Health and Safer Care Victoria’s improvement framework, LISN continues to receive outstanding feedback.
More than 90 per cent of participants rated the content as excellent, highlighting the program’s impact in building confidence and capability in improvement science.
The workshop also introduces key concepts such as waste reduction, standard daily work, continuous flow, and 5S, enabling staff to make small changes that deliver system-level benefits.
Laura Hughes, Transformation Project Manager, said LISN plays an important role in supporting staff at all stages of their improvement journey.
“LISN is a fantastic program for staff who are starting out in improvement or looking to build on their existing skills. It’s practical, engaging, and gives participants the confidence to make meaningful changes that improve patient care and system performance,” she says.
While LISN has traditionally been offered to Northern Health staff, 2026 will see an exciting expansion, with invitations extended to Local Health Service Network partners, including Seymour Health and Austin Health.
This milestone reflects Northern Health’s commitment to collaboration, shared learning, and working together to deliver great care for our community.
