Barts Health launches ‘digital staff bank’ platform for doctors

Barts Health NHS Trust has announced plans to launch a ‘digital staff bank’, enabling more than 4,000 doctors in London to gain access to greater flexible working.

The platform, which is due to go live in September 2024, will enable the trust to broadcast vacant shifts, so that registered clinicians can apply for their preferred shifts via a connected app.

It is initially being rolled out across the trust’s five main hospital sites: St Bartholomew’s, The Royal London, Mile End, Whipps Cross, and Newham.

The platform aims to tackle workforce pressures by making it easier for approved clinicians to pick up vacant shifts and work flexibly across each of the trust’s hospital sites.

Delivered in partnership with staffing specialists Patchwork Health, the initiative is intended to reduce admin for staffing teams by making it easier for them to source temporary workers, reducing reliance on external agencies, and giving clinicians more control over their work.

John Simon, head of temporary staffing at Barts Health NHS Trust, said: “The trust is quite excited to partner with Patchwork on this innovative platform which will enhance the working experience of our staff and by extension, benefit patient care.

“We are encouraged by the positive results seen by some of our neighbouring organisations and look forward to a productive partnership”.

Patchwork Insights, a connected data analytics tool, will also give workforce teams at Barts Health access to metrics and reporting capabilities generated by staff bank activities, with the aim of generating insights into staffing trends and helping the trust to deliver improved data-driven staffing.

Dr Anas Nader, co-founder and chief executive at Patchwork Health, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Barts Health NHS Trust to support more flexible, sustainable staffing through the creation of this bespoke digital staff bank.

“Initiatives like these are paramount to supporting clinician wellbeing and boosting retention, while helping NHS teams weather rising workforce pressures and keep services running in line with patient demand.

“They are vital to building a strong, healthy and happy NHS workforce for future generations to come. We’re excited to continue innovating to support this with Barts Health NHS Trust, alongside our other fantastic NHS partners.”

Following the roll-out at Barts, the initiative is planned to be expanded to support more clinicians and increase workforce collaboration in London.