Table 3 Summary of themes and codes

(1) The national ABI target:

1A: Priority for managers and health boards

1B: Responsibility for target

1C: Pressure & distortions

(2) Leadership for implementation:

2A: Senior staff support

2B: Implementation leader status

2C: Acknowledging prior effort.

(3) Flexibility, collaboration and pragmatism in intervention design:

3A: Desirable versus possible

3B: Building on current practice

3C: Monitoring and crediting pre-existing delivery

(4) Recording, monitoring and reporting:

4A: Early evidence & feedback important

4B: Difficulty recording

4C: Mandatory recording

(5) Engaging and supporting frontline staff:

5A: Involving staff throughout

5B: Training flexibility

5C: Specialist support both helpful and unhelpful.