Once the processes were configured and tested in the virtual world it was time to implement the changes in reality. When the new system was rolled out it had a profound impact on waiting times, reducing the average wait for an appointment from 22 to 14 days. And the benefits kept coming, by maximising the number of patients within a centre’s catchment area the team were able to increase the efficiency of the system and bring down the distance a patient has to travel for an appointment.

Simon Polak, who developed the project with PenCHORD as Business & Information Systems Manager at Devon Partnership Trust, believes the benefits are wide-ranging:

“The whole process has increased choice for patients. Anyone working in operational delivery in the NHS should think about using PenCHORD to understand how their organisation works. You can always derive new benefits and the ability to model without having to try something out on patients is invaluable.”

You can find out more about the project here http://bit.ly/1qc5pVZ.

For more information on PenCHORD or to get in touch with the team to discuss a potential project please email PenCHORD@exeter.ac.uk.

This research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care South West Peninsula. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.

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