An HSJ roundtable in association with Agilisys and Blue Prism considered the enormous challenge of the backlog and considered if technology might be able to help in its management
Read the detailed immersive feature here.
Sponsored by
The NHS backlog is already at staggering levels and is set to increase – this has been described as the biggest threat that acute trusts are facing at the moment. It also has an impact on the wider health and care system.
Well-managed waiting lists can improve patient outcomes and experience, as well as helping to manage patient flow and ensure the right people are prioritised for treatment.
Trusts are increasingly turning to digital innovation, including the use of robotic process automation – more usually associated with back-room functions – to optimise their waiting lists processes.
An HSJ roundtable, in association with Agilisys and Blue Prism, brought together a small panel of experts to discuss the backlog challenge and possible digital solutions.
Panellists
- Mike Farrar, independent consultant and temporary (volunteer) deputy CEO, King’s College Hospital Foundation Trust
- Patrick Highland, finance manager (systems and reporting), The Royal Marsden Foundation Trust
- Sharon Osterfield, head of automation and programme manager – transformation, Royal Surrey Foundation Trust
- Simon Perks, head of robotics and AI, Agilisys
- Claire Read, contributor, HSJ (roundtable chair)
- Sarah Reed, senior fellow, Nuffield Trust
- Eric Tyree, head of research and AI, Blue Prism
- David Williams, head of policy and strategy, NHS Providers