This module is a whole day of content spread over 4 virtual sessions. They cover using data effectively to manage your service with a specific focus on capacity planning. Each session will last 75 minutes.
Virtual session 1: Measuring the right things – 6th September 3.00 pm
The NHS is awash with data, some of it vital, some irrelevant and quite a bit of it of dubious quality. It can be tricky to work out which is which. So we kick the whole series off by addressing two questions: How do I choose the right measures? and How can I get data I can trust? Getting answers to both of these questions will enable you to measure the right things and be confident that your data is robust enough to use.
Virtual session 2: Making sensible decisions – 13th September 3.00 pm
You are measuring the right things but you now need to use your data to make sensible decisions for your service. There are two common questions that you will want answers to: (1) How am I doing? And (2) Where’s the problem? To answer the first, you will need to understand the two types of variation present in your data and use a graphical presentation that was specifically designed to do this. To an 6th September 3.00 pm swer the second, you will be introduced to some powerful diagnostic tools.
Virtual session 3: How queues form – 20th September 3.00 pm
We will address this vital question: Why do queues form? It will use three simple simulations to explore why some common things we do to reduce delays actually make them worse. It comes with a warning – be prepared to have your pre-conceptions challenged.
Virtual session 4: Planning your capacity – 27th September 3.00 pm
Struggling to work out what capacity you need? Fed up that your current approach doesn’t seem to work terribly well? The key is to move from seeing capacity planning as an annual chore and instead regard it as an opportunity to design your service to flow nicely. You will be introduced to the 4 stages to ensuring you have the right capacity to meet the demands on your service.
The small print
- There will be “homework” to enable you to put learning into practice in your own area.