HCL Workforce Solutions, in partnership with technology firm Skillstream, has launched a ground-breaking e-rostering software, ClarityROSTER, that will transform the way the NHS utilises its workforce.
It’s aim is to help drive huge cost savings surpassing those estimated by Lord Carter’s Review of Operational Productivity, whilst significantly improving patient care.
In Jeremy Hunt’s speech at the NHS Confederation conference in June, he referred to a clear staff morale issue in the NHS – made clear by frustrations shown by junior doctors regarding inflexibility in rostering and training. He challenged the NHS to increase the uptake of e-rostering which will in turn deliver greater flexibility, improve staff morale and reduce unnecessary use of agencies. The announcement comes as the first of the planned five day strikes by junior doctors is called off.
ClarityROSTER’s approach puts three goals at the centre, to help trusts take a firmer grip on workforce management, for staff to have more flexibility to perform their jobs to an even higher standard, and crucially, for patients to receive a positive experience of care.
The software is bidding to replace existing out-dated and ineffective e-rostering technology and will be formerly launched at the Health and Care Innovation Expo 2016 in Manchester on 7 and 8 September 2016.
Capabilities
ClarityROSTER features include:
● Demand management not people management – using business logic ClarityROSTER can manage the requirements of a theatre, ward, department and an entire hospital whilst factoring in patient levels, acuity and recommended safe staffing levels
● Giving NHS staff greater flexibility – by tracking rostered versus worked hours, ClarityROSTER offers health workers greater control over their work patterns – enabling shift switching and the management of holidays and training. Through improved flexibility, trusts will reduce the risk of stress and staff burnout, gaps in rotas and the reliance on temporary workers – bringing down unnecessary agency spend.
● Real time reporting – greater accountability will be achieved in the management chain and among third parties such as the ONS by using the ClarityROSTER’s groundbreaking reporting capability, real time dashboard views and data analysis tools
● Productivity based charges – designed to be self-funding, ClarityROSTER can generate upwards of 7% savings in clinical staff costs, eliminating the duplication of work and ensuring staff are fully rostered in good time
● Modern, intuitive and simple – offering a completely new user experience with full platform uniformity, ClarityROSTER makes complex tasks simple and when applied to NHS staff rostering, the ease of use will deliver better staff engagement, wide scale adoption, and improvements in quality and service delivery
● Improving patient care – by dramatically reducing gaps in rotas, ClarityROSTER can significantly reduce last minute operation cancellations and enhance the patient experience of care
Chief Executive of HCL Workforce Solutions , Stephen Burke, said: “We have been working hard for over 2 years now to develop e-rostering software that for the first time enables the NHS to get a grip on workforce management. Demand-led approaches to e-rostering will play an invaluable role in achieving this whilst putting staff back in control with enhanced flexibility.
“Issues with patient care, staff morale and finances are symptoms of poor workforce management; ClarityROSTER will help trusts to fill rotas, avoid cancelled operations, reduce waiting times and prevent staff burnout. With extreme fiscal pressure facing the NHS and an ongoing need to make efficiency savings, ClarityROSTER will bring down unnecessary agency spend, whilst avoiding other high costs associated with substandard clinical performance. The workforce is the NHS’s greatest asset and it is time that trusts were finally able to make full use of these valuable skills as they seek to navigate ongoing challenges and enhance patient care; we are extremely excited that our technology will enable this.”
