Summer Newsletter 2017 - Flipbook - Page 4
Intelligence driven decision making
Getting the measure, Tom McCarthy – Health Economics
The NHS is not short of data; indeed, it is ceremoniously collated for a multitude of reporting purposes…
Within this increasing preoccupation with gathering information, however, are we really extracting enough
intelligence from the data to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of services? An estimated 90%
of effort around data collection is for the sole purpose of ‘feeding the assurance beast’. There is limited regard
to the world of opportunity that this data presents for us to pose, and answer, intelligence-led and value
adding questions, such as:
1. How can we optimise the flow of patients through service pathways and across our system to
provide them with the best health outcomes?
2. How can we work ambitiously beyond organisational boundaries across primary, secondary,
social care and the third sector to develop innovative pathways?
3. How can we match capacity with demand as patient numbers and acuity increase whilst budgets
and resources are contracting at a seemingly alarming rate; and
4. How can we make the best available data to help us make sound strategic decisions such as
redesigning job roles, purchasing new technology and developing service-led partnership
models.
Simulation modelling as a game changer
The NHS is gradually realising the power it has to answer
these questions and to ensure that strategies are built from
data which has been properly road-tested. Plugging
(pseudo anonymised) patient level data, into simulation
modelling tools can open up a world of intelligence to
engage front line staff, service users Trust boards, systems
and healthcare policy makers.
Simulation modelling can allow you to ‘dry run’ new service
scenarios, engage in rational and informed debates about
controversial or complex service re-designs and can act as
a platform for real innovation. Simulated data can be
transformative and can really underpin quality
conversations; the need for intelligence-led decision making
has never been more necessary.
Why not give simulation modelling a try with some of your
complex pathways or services.
For more information about how simulation
modelling can transform your planning capability,
contact Tom who is the Managing Partner at Niche:
tom.mccarthy@nicheconsult.co.uk
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