Technology

Posted on April 1, 2019 by staff

Tech system to save NHS Trust 600 hours per month

Technology

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust has revealed plans to roll out a new rostering system from a British software company.

Allocate’s software will save approximately 600 hours per month on workforce management it has been revealed in an announcement which forms part of the trust’s digital strategy to replace disparate ways of working and improve the work-life balance of its workforce.

Allocate Software has 500 employees, including over 190 in research, development and product management functions.

It provides services and support to its international customer base through regional offices in the UK, Sweden, France, Germany and Australia.

Following a rigorous tender process, which saw the Trust review seven workforce and resource planning software providers, Allocate’s e-rostering software HealthRoster, proved the most competitive.

The solution is used by NHS organisations, care homes, the independent sector as well as some of the largest healthcare providers globally.

Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust’s vision is to use the system to roster and plan its 7,000 staff, 95 per cent of which work at Queen Alexandra Hospital.

Around 150 different rosters are created in the hospital, with each four-week roster usually taking senior nurses 7-8 hours to complete. With the new system, the trust anticipates it will take just 1-2 hours, delivering significant time savings.

“Our disparate ways of working meant we lacked the visibility, intelligence and interoperability required to create up-to-date and accurate staff rosters – and in advance too. And, in any NHS organisation, this is critical,” said Tom Weeks, Workforce Systems Implementation Manager at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

Hugh Ashley, Managing Director, Allocate UK & Ireland added: “for us, that is not only about how our technology underpins their work, but also how it makes things easier, as fair and safe as possible and how it supports their well-being.

“There are no signs of pressure on the NHS letting up so the trust needs a system to be perfect – it has to work exactly how it needs it to – which is why it has chosen to work with us.”

HealthRoster will be complemented with Allocate’s Me App, which enables staff to interact with the rostering system from their mobile phone.

They can check their own and their team’s rosters, leave and study information on the move as well as book temporary shifts or submit availability to work more shifts.

Ashley continues: “Having an organisation like Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, with such forward-thinking leaders, select Allocate is a real testament, not only to our technology and service but most importantly to the achievements that our customers have demonstrated in using that technology.”