e-Rostering not living up to its promise? Here’s the bad news…

You've invested significantly in an e-Rostering system to help control your temporary staffing spend and make your staffing run more smoothly. Yet the benefits you were promised may not have materialised.

Unfortunately, this is an all too familiar scenario and it leaves Trusts vulnerable to non-compliance with Carter recommendations. Budgets are negatively affected, as poor roster planning and execution has a frighteningly strong correlation with high bank and agency spend.

The Trust may not have resources to investigate and follow through on the known issues (let alone those which are currently hidden) and may be unsure where to start. Instead, there are typically numerous little workarounds happening out on the wards that sap productivity, for instance: deviations from policy, a rush of last-minute agency bookings and redeployments, balance and lieu books - with wards often just doing their own thing.

Worse, there may be sporadic, ad-hoc reports to the Board based on compromised data, with the e-rostering team at breaking point attempting to build KPI reports.

Is there a route map to successful e-rostering?

If we can face these challenges openly as first step, we’re on the path to achieving “Excellence in e-Rostering”, or so our transformation programme is named.

The good news is the situation is completely reversible. No matter which e-rostering system you use, our proven approach will address the known issues, flush out the hidden horrors and ensure that the Trust gets the value and performance it deserves.

We will support your Trust to use e-Rostering effectively

As independent e-Rostering experts working exclusively with the NHS, Oceansblue recognise that the core issue here is not the e-Rostering software – this is just a tool.

·        But was the tool rolled out effectively?

·        Do users know how to build strong rosters, and the consequences for the Trust if they don’t?

·        Exactly how strong is the compliance management around it?

·        Is the underlying data quality good enough to inform the best decisions?

Oceansblue support Trusts on their transformation journey, providing temporary capability and capacity to augment the Trust’s own resources. With our unique data analysis capability and experience across many Trusts in the UK, we offer an independent view on e-Rostering effectiveness. We’re easy to work with have a proven track record of success.

What’s at stake?

The benefits each Trust can expect vary, but would include:

·        Substantial financial savings on Bank and Agency spend

·        A reduction in the use of temporary staff

·        RN shift shortage reductions

·        An increase in quality care staffing compliance

·        Improved notice period for roster sign off.

Oceansblue will support the Trust to facilitate these benefits - and to improve transparency of information, such that a single trusted view of the data can be viewed by staff roles.

Reporting automation reduces the time that Matrons and Ward Managers spend on non-clinical activities, and information and alerts are automatically shared with the right staff at the right time.

There will be a focus on the use of disruptive techniques to improve the quality of future roster plans, in terms of their cost and safety.

Summing up

Oceansblue are committed to supporting Trusts to achieve “Excellence in e-Rostering”. The positive impact that this can have for an individual Trust can be explored through an initial informal meeting with us.

If you fancy a fresh view on e-Rostering, and are frankly bored/frustrated by the status quo, why not get in touch and let’s see how we can help you? Meanwhile, you might like to take a look at some of our project snapshots. www.oceansblue.co.uk/projects