Using CATQR to Streamline Training Attendance at Homerton Healthcare

Approach & Solution

Homerton chose CATQR because of its simplicity and flexibility for learners, facilitators, and administrators. For learners, the process is straightforward: open the mobile app and scan the QR code displayed during a training session. This not only makes attendance registration quick and seamless but also gives staff ownership of their own training records, with attendance data available at their fingertips.

The system has also supported greater flexibility in local training delivery. For instance, the Graham Stroke Unit is able to organise and deliver training independently of the central learning team, while maintaining full data transparency for learners, managers, and administrators. This makes it much easier to collect and report activity data across the organisation.

CATQR has proved adaptable beyond classroom training. It can be used to record attendance at both in-person and virtual sessions, to log completion of a workbook, or even to grant temporary access to buildings where staff do not have their ID badges at the time. Following its early success, the Trust has widened its use of the tool to accommodate more varied training schedules, including preceptorship study days, fire warden training, and ad-hoc learning events. This breadth of application has helped Homerton strengthen compliance reporting and create a more consistent, efficient process across diverse formats.

Over the last two years, more than 70 colleagues have been trained as CATQR facilitators or administrators, enabling them to generate class codes themselves by entering session details such as the title and time. This has allowed departments and wards to manage their own training activities while giving the Learning Team visibility of upcoming sessions and real-time attendance data. The system also provides a reliable way of confirming compliance and reducing disputes. Administrators can view a complete attendance history for individual learners, which is particularly useful during planned maintenance periods when the ESR or LMS is unavailable.

Implementation in Practice

CATQR was introduced in a phased way, beginning with Trust-wide use at corporate induction. All new starters are required to create a CATQR profile, ensuring that the system becomes part of their training journey from day one. It is also expected that CATQR is used at all mandatory training sessions, with clear communication circulated across the Trust and first-line support available at events. As a result, over 90% of Homerton staff now hold a CATQR profile. New starter drop-in sessions are also used to provide hands-on support for those who need additional help.

Learners are introduced to CATQR multiple times during induction week, reinforcing user habits through training sessions such as resuscitation, fire safety, and moving and handling. Facilitators and administrators are trained in one-hour sessions on how to generate class codes and access attendance data, aided by a user manual and administrator support.

In practice, there have been very few challenges with the app itself. The most common issues have related to Wi-Fi connectivity in certain sites, which are managed in partnership with the IT team. That said, CATQR works without a Wi-Fi connection, as the app stores attendance locally and automatically commits it to the system once the app reconnects to the internet.

Looking back, several lessons stand out from Homerton’s experience. Early engagement with digital literacy champions was key to ensuring smooth adoption, alongside regular Wi-Fi blind spot checks in partnership with the IT team. 

Importantly, the developers have shown real flexibility in adapting features to meet the needs of NHS organisations. Recent enhancements include QR code-secured attendance certificates, which learners can forward directly from the app. This has reduced the administrative workload of confirming training for revalidation or when staff move between organisations. The administrator portal has also been streamlined to improve navigation, with the CATQR team from Shinetech Software consistently engaging with Homerton to enhance the user experience.

During Trust Induction, the facilitator displays a dynamic CATQR code—refreshing every few seconds—on the lecture theatre’s projector screen. Staff scan the code using their CATQR mobile app to register their attendance instantly and securely.

Results & Impact

The impact of CATQR has been clear. Registration times are now significantly faster: most new starters can simply scan the code and walk in. For administrators, the removal of paper registers has eliminated the need to decipher handwriting or chase up unclear records, saving considerable time and reducing errors.

For learners and trainers, the experience has improved too. Without the distraction of circulating sign-in sheets, sessions can start and end smoothly, with scanning managed at entry and exit. Learners are also more confident in making training-related enquiries, often able to reference the exact course title and date themselves.

For managers and administrators, the precision of attendance data has provided a solid basis for compliance reporting, reduced disputes, and enabled timely follow-up where needed.