As we move into 2021, the NHS - and health services globally - are facing their biggest challenges yet. With healthcare staff still dealing with the ongoing pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic and many hospitals working at full capacity, healthcare workers are also facing the knock-on effect of delays in diagnostic and elective procedures, which are now manifesting as greater demand for healthcare services, all of which must be met by an increasingly frail healthcare sector.

In order for the NHS to survive the global health crisis of COVID-19 and meet the challenges posed by the pandemic, it is essential to maximise efficiency wherever possible within the organisation. Enhancing efficiency will not only better equip the NHS to cope with the demands of the pandemic, but it will also pave the way for a more effective and efficient service moving forwards.

Improving efficiency and effectiveness in healthcare

A good place to start improving efficiency and effectiveness in any industry is by reducing the burden of time-consuming and repetitive administrative tasks and automating processes wherever possible. According to a recent report by PwC, the healthcare sector should look towards adopting digital technology to improve clinicians’ satisfaction levels which, in turn, will lead to happier and healthier patients. Furthermore, if digital tech is properly integrated into existing systems, it can make the care journey smoother for both physician and patient, enhancing job satisfaction and service delivery.

To err is human. So automate.

In all industries but particularly within the healthcare sector, the administrative tasks associated with recruitment, on-boarding, and training of staff are extremely labour-intensive and time-consuming (not just for HR professionals but often clinicians too). What’s more, managing these processes manually introduces the possibility of human error: failure to notice the expiration of a worker’s training or membership of professional bodies; failure to chase up references; delays in receiving confirmation of qualifications. The list goes on. This can be particularly problematic in large organisations, with hundreds or even thousands of staff records to maintain. 

The obvious solution is to automate these processes, not just freeing up valuable clinical time but also significantly improving accuracy and efficiency. Of course, HR departments within the NHS have limited budgets consequently, managers can be reluctant to spend money on automation. However, many modern solutions are not only affordable but can also be leveraged to save money in the long term. If we return to the example of recruiting new staff, introducing the right automated recruitment platform not only frees up staff time for more complex work, it also:

• Reduces the drop-out rate of new employees (by ensuring new recruits are a ‘good fit’ from the start)
• Improves regulatory compliance with the CQC, reducing the risk of costly fines for non-compliance
• Enables staff to work to their full capacity, freeing up valuable time by managing recruitment, training, and onboarding in the most efficient way possible.
  

Transparency and Effective Communication in Healthcare

As in any industry, effectively streamlining processes and procedures in healthcare through the adoption of automated solutions relies heavily on the co-operation of existing staff. Even when implementing measures that are ultimately for their benefit, it’s important to involve staff members in the process, respect and listen to their views and ensure that they feel valued, empowered, and involved. Only then will they be truly invested in - and committed to - any changes which are made at organisational or operational levels. It’s crucial to:

• Communicate openly with staff and inform them of planned changes before they are implemented
• Solicit - and respond openly to - staff feedback and concerns
• Keep communication channels open so staff can share their ideas: engaged staff are more likely to contribute to the success of new measures
• Provide adequate training in an inclusive, sensitive environment, to allay fears established staff may have over adopting new processes/tech
• Develop as a team, integrating new systems sensitively and efficiently to smooth the transition to greater automation
• Allow staff adequate time to adapt to new procedures and make sure there is a strong HR infrastructure in place to support them if needed
• Prioritise staff wellbeing, work-life balance, and work boundaries. A healthy, happy team will be more effective, more likely to support procedural changes, and ultimately, more cost-effective in terms of reduced absences, lower stress levels, and greater productivity.
  

Of course, with many staff working from home in order to reduce the rate of COVID-19 transmission, it’s more important than ever to ensure that effective management support is available. This might involve adopting innovative technologies such as Zoom for team meetings and supervision, in order to maintain all-important personal relationships and make sure a robust support structure remains in place.

Interoperability with existing systems

When automated systems, it’s essential to ensure that new tech works seamlessly alongside existing protocols and databases in order to maximise efficiency. An automated system for managing compliance that is not compatible with existing healthcare databases will slow down processes in place of speeding them up. In today’s increasingly automated world, interoperability is key. 

Remain open to innovation

Of course, it’s not always possible to envisage exactly how we can make processes more efficient, which is why it’s important to keep an open mind when it comes to innovation. Don’t confine your problem-solving to tried and tested methods. The world is changing rapidly, with an abundance of new solutions appearing on the market almost on a daily basis. Now is the time to embrace some of those changes and identify which solutions could be a good fit within your organisation. 

In summary

• Automate where possible
• Maintain strong communication channels with staff and offer HR support to enhance staff satisfaction levels
• Improve interoperability and introduce systems that complement - and communicate with - those which are already in place
• Embrace innovation and see what solutions are out there!

Whether you’re completely new to automation or have already started the journey towards a more efficient, effective healthcare service, then Credentially can help. Our market-leading recruitment platform was designed specifically for the health and social care sector. Featuring unparalleled interoperability with key NHS databases, our software can save literally thousands of wasted hours by fully automating the sign-up, credentialing, and compliance journey. Schedule a demo to find out more about how we can help you to improve efficiency in your organisation for 2021 and beyond.