UoH DST

Summary

Across HWE there is escalating demand for healthcare services, notably in mounting waiting lists with a projected surge in outpatient visits, diagnostic tests, and elective treatments. This surge poses multifaceted challenges across HWEICS, including staffing, theatre availability, bed capacity, and clinic accessibility.
Scenario planning is key, by modelling a range of possible scenarios such as community diagnostic centres, elective hubs, changes in theatre sessions, and improved patient pathways we can predict and alleviate waiting times and minimise disruptions caused by other system pressures.
Working in a multi-organisational team HBS is developing a user-friendly, web-based simulation-powered DST. This tool will empower decision-makers with a comprehensive analytical framework to foresee the impacts of proposed changes through scenario planning.
The DST will optimise staffing, theatre availability, bed capacity, and clinic accessibility to enhance operational efficiency and ensure optimal resource allocation.
Using web-based technology, powered by AI, within a simulation environment, the DST will capture patient pathway dynamics. This unique solution will bridge the gap in current NHS tools, significantly contributing to informed decision-making and mitigating the strain on the local healthcare system.

Outputs

Improved staff and equipment utilisation e.g. doctors, technicians, beds, theatres.
Identification of bottlenecks and reduction in queue lengths
Understand patient flow metrics e.g. day case rates, clinic capacities and utilisation, patient throughput
Compliance with NHSE KPIs e.g. total patients waiting by length of wait
Optimal staffing levels and skills mix, identification of peak demand periods
Cost effectiveness analysis

Intended Outcomes

Reduced waiting list size and waiting time for patients.
Reduction in potential harm to patients and disease progression due to shorter waiting times.
Enhanced decision-making and improved capacity utilisation in Outpatients, Diagnostics and Theatres.
Improved system standardisation for clinical pathways reducing unwanted variation across the system.
Financial benefits – better use of capacity, which could be reduced and closed, or used for unmet demand.
Wider social-economic benefits with patients being able to return home and/or work sooner.