Reducing delay in the referral process by up to 75%
During his apprenticeship, Joel undertook a project where he analysed referral data to identify strategies for reducing patient waiting times.
His approach focussed on examining patterns in the data to determine which days were less optimal for referring patients to specific consultants. This analysis revealed critical insights into the consultants' busiest days, where Joel's team could anticipate longer response times.
Joel's study also extended to understanding the seasonal variations in referral processing times. Notably, he found that referrals made during the summer months typically incurred longer processing times due to busier schedules or increased annual leave.
Through his analysis, Joel was able to recommend the most effective days for patient referrals, tailored to each consultant's availability. This approach led to a major improvement in the referral process, with patients receiving their procedures up to 18 days earlier than prior to the study.
This outcome not only enhanced patient care but also helped achieve the Trust’s goals to process referrals more efficiently based on clinical priority, as those who had been prioritised would have their referrals actioned first.
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