Case Study
How Numbero helped the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt NHS Trust secure funding for their EPR Transformation Programme
November 2021 – February 2022
Objectives
Rolling out Electronic Patient Record (EPR) systems in NHS Trusts has been cited as the key to the government’s frontline digitalisation plan of joined up healthcare in the UK and realising digital transformation.
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation Trust (RJAH) needed additional support to get their business case for external funding for an EPR system over the line (funded as part of NHS Digital Aspirant programme).
Challenges
RJAH needed to secure external funding from the national NHS Digital Aspirant programme, in order to be able to afford their EPR transformation programme.
RJAH had a lack of internal Capacity to provide financial analysis and stakeholder management which were key to the development of the Business Case, to secure funding.
“The team was under pressure. We were short of capacity. A colleague was on long-term sickness leave, Covid restrictions added complications and time was tight. We had to get external help, otherwise something critical would have suffered.
We needed experienced and effective financial support to provide complex financial analysis that would stand up to internal and external scrutiny.”
Data had to be presented concisely.
“Senior decision makers don’t have the time to read through 40 pages of data. They want summarised, accurate information that explains what you want and why you want it.
If you don’t have that, it’s much more difficult to get buy-in and approval.”
Mark Salisbury, Operational Director of Finance, RJAH
Solutions
Complex financial analysis to data-driven story
After an initial appraisal of the situation, Doug Smith, Numbero’s Director reviewed the financial data and documents. He did all the financial modelling for a 10-year period including:
- capital expenditure
- income and expenditure
- financial benefits assessments
- workforce costings
- staffing implications
The models formed a data-driven story which could be shared easily and consistently across internal and external stakeholders.
Due diligence secures internal stakeholder buy-in
Doug presented the findings to assure internal stakeholders in finance and the executive that due diligence was exercised, and the business case was viable.
Doug said: “It’s essential that every element of the business case aligns with the financial data. The approval process is long – years in some cases.
You don’t want to submit anything to an external body that’s not going to succeed. It would be a waste of precious time or resources. Worse still, you don’t want to put your hospital at risk because, for example, supplier contracts weren’t fully scrutinised.”
External supplier scrutiny avoids costly surprises
Doug worked with Simon Adams, Digital Director at RJAH, on commercial and contractual elements of the business case regarding external suppliers.
Doug explained: “When I went through the contracts, I was looking out for “gotchas” – anything which could lead to unexpected future costs. There had to be absolute clarity on what the Trust was getting for its money.”
Doug worked with the supplier and Trust lawyers to make sure contracts were worded and phrased accordingly, and aligned to the financials.
Flexible support when they needed it most
Numbero provided flexible support, depending on the demands of the business case.
“Doug was available as and when we needed him. Some months it was really busy. Other times it was quiet for a couple of weeks and then it kicked off again e.g., when there were questions from the board.
He was very reactive and that was helpful.”
Mark Salisbury, Operational Director of Finance, RJAH
Final Result
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital Foundation Trust secure external (NHS Digital Aspirant programme) funding for an Electronic Patient Record (EPR) System.
They will now be able to streamline patient pathways and offer a better and more transparent patient experience.
“There were a lot of hoops to jump through, but Numbero was instrumental in securing stakeholder buy-in and funding.
It saved me lots of time. I only had to be involved in the high-level decision making. Doug is a safe pair of hands and great to work with. Nothing is ever too much trouble.”
Mark Salisbury, Operational Director of Finance, RJAH
Numbero was instrumental in securing stakeholder buy-in and funding for the EPR when we didn’t have the internal capacity. With this funding, we can streamline patient pathways and offer a better, more transparent experience for staff and patients.
Secure funding for your digital transformation
If you need help to develop your business case, Numbero can help. Get a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your project.