“The installation of our PathFinder™ system has provided us with a cost effective solution to our integrated HR and training needs. The system is simple to use, reliable and tailored specifically to the needs of our Trust. It’s scaleable and has the capability to offer us a much wider range of benefits in the longer term.”
Christian Greenshaw, MD at workforce optimisation specialists, AccessAcademy added, “We began working with the project team for the Hillingdon Health Economy a combined venture with Hillingdon Hospital in May 2005 to provide them with a training management and booking system to meet their requirement to strengthen mandatory training provision. Our remit widened however during the implementation phase at the request of the PCT to include a bespoke HR module, as their existing HR system did not have the capability to meet their ongoing needs.
“The integration of the new HR function is very beneficial as we now work from one central data source maintained by HR and training within their respective areas but feeding into one total workforce package,” continued Walters. Employee records hold all the relevant information due to our close involvement in the development and build of the new system. The availability of accurate data and the ability to easily extract data held within the system through the reporting module has been really beneficial in supporting our workforce planning activities. From the level of reports that we now get from the system we were able to identify that in one area of the PCT almost 50% of the workforce were due to retire in the next five to ten years. With the current freeze on recruitment this would have caused immeasurable problems longer term. However I am now able to take remedial steps based on the supporting data to ensure that we have developed a strategy to address this issue.”
“The high levels of automation within the system have reduced time spent on administrative tasks by 40%. Prior to installing the system specialist resources were used to manually input data from a paper based system to meet reporting criteria – by investing in the new system this is no longer required and it is now a simple procedure which is carried out within the department.
The system provides a full audit trail of compliance training to support any regulatory reporting requirements. A key responsibility of the HR department is ensuring that all relevant professional registrations are kept up to date. This is a mammoth task but the new system enables the team to track registration renewals much more effectively,”
“We are now moving towards a self service way of working, continued Walters, and beginning to understand the benefits of using web based technology to offer the department improved functionality, record keeping, and data management. The system has the capability to offer a much wider range of benefits in the longer term - including learner access for self learning, integrated assessments, and a virtual learning environment to support blended learning and mentoring initiatives. Our familiarity and recognition of the benefits of using the PathFinder system will pave the way for the forthcoming introduction of other web based systems within the NHS such as the ESR (Electronic Staff Record), Choose and Book, and the EPS (Electronic Prescription Service)”.
