Glasgow-based software specialist, Simul8, is working with NHS Boards and Trusts on process optimisation initiatives ranging from patient scheduling in oncology units to patient flow through fertility departments, modelling maternity services, and optimising trauma and orthopaedic wards.
The company said: “An ageing population, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and widespread industrial action, were just some of the reasons why waiting lists hit an all-time high in September 2023, when approximately 7.8 million people were waiting for hospital treatment.” Simul8 says it is ‘offering a solution to the backlog crisis’ in the form of simulation-powered digital twins, having been working with Trusts and healthcare providers UK-wide to optimise processes and improve patient wait times.
Laura Reid, CEO at Simul8, said: “Our healthcare system is under extreme pressure, and millions of people are waiting for potentially life-saving treatments. Sadly, there’s no silver bullet to solving the backlog issue, but we should be using every available option to improve the situation. Technology has a critical role to play in the future of UK healthcare. Our software is already making a difference, and we’re extremely proud of that, but we want to do more. Simulation-powered digital twins remove bottlenecks and improve efficiency, which is exactly what the system needs.”
“They live alongside real-world systems, and provide a testing ground for decision-making. Hundreds of simulations can be tried and tested daily to find the best course of action in a cost-effective way. In an environment like a hospital, where situations can change at a moment’s notice, this technology is vital in deciding where resources should be allocated to ensure the system isn’t overburdened and struggling to meet capacity.
One project run by change management specialist, Changeology, used Simul8’s simulation-powered digital twins to redesign a patient scheduling system for a cancer care unit, helping it save £15,000 a month, cutting patient wait times by over 50%, and improving nursing staff's experiences.
The technology is also helping to optimise processes for IVF treatment and cardiovascular surgery at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. The Trust uses the software to analyse staffing levels, the number of procedures in each process and the equipment and people needed to complete them in the desired timeframe.