Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells turn to e-rostering tech

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is adopting new e-rostering technology from Patchwork Health designed to tackle staffing pressures.

The solution will help unlock flexible, transparent rotas for staff, transforming how medics’ schedules are organised. Already it has enhanced staff wellbeing and reduced reliance on agency staff.

With the new Patchwork Health e-rostering solution, the trust has one centralised place for rota-building, roster and leave management activities for the first time. Thanks to greater workforce visibility, the rostering teams at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells can organise more dynamic, data-driven staffing that’s in line with fluctuating service demand.

Managers can view all permanent and non-permanent staff on a single roster, allowing them to deploy staff flexibly in line with service demand. At the same time it also incorporates medics’ individual preferences into rotas. This gives staff more flexibility and provides shift visibility further in advance.

Staff at the trust can view their personal and team rotas and using a connected app make their annual leave requests.

Since the launch of the new system, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells has seen a positive shift in rota management, staff wellbeing and a lower agency spend. In addition, after the successful collaboration with Patchwork Health, it has also rolled out a digital staff bank which is supporting workforce teams trust-wide to sustainably manage temporary staffing needs and plug any rota gaps.

Sean Briggs, chief operating officer, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, said: “Finding new ways to support flexible working and staff wellbeing is a key priority as our incredible workforce responds to the record levels of demand and service pressures.

“The roll-out of the e-rostering system has already had a significant impact – reducing agency spend and improving cover in key clinical areas. Consistent engagement and support from the Patchwork team has ensured a smooth and effective implementation. We’re excited to continue this collaboration and expand the use of the system and  the benefits across additional departments.”

The new platform was built and delivered by Patchwork Health, which raised £3.5m in 2021 to fund its expansion. To date, it says it has helped NHS trusts save £80 million in staffing costs.

Dr Anas Nader, CEO and co-founder of Patchwork Health, said: “Flexible data-driven rostering is absolutely essential for supporting employee wellbeing and facilitating sustainable staffing that can be truly responsive to fluctuating patient demand.

“It was so important to us to build a rostering platform that unlocked this level of flexibility while being simple and enjoyable to use for clinicians and managers alike.”