Background:
Chesterfield Royal Hospital faced growing demand and limited capacity across several key services, including Imaging, Outpatients, and Theatres. Leaders wanted to reduce reliance on outsourcing while maximising internal resources. The Trust brought in Meridian to identify bottlenecks and implement systems to improve operational performance.
Analysis:
Meridian conducted a comprehensive diagnostic review across the targeted services. The analysis uncovered several systemic issues affecting healthcare efficiency and patient access:
Weak visibility of performance metrics at department and Trust-wide level
Mismatch between service capacity and patient demand, leading to under- or over-utilisation
Inefficient theatre scheduling and case-mix planning
High volume of wasted outpatient appointment slots, contributing to delays and administrative burden
Fragmented working practices, with limited coordination between service lines
The lack of real-time oversight hindered proactive planning, while the absence of standardised management processes limited frontline teams’ ability to adapt dynamically to daily operational challenges.
Implementation:
To embed lasting improvements, Meridian introduced evidence-based tools and techniques tailored to the Trust’s needs:
Real-time performance dashboards and structured reporting enhanced transparency and accountability across departments
Capacity planning was restructured to align with actual demand patterns in Imaging, Outpatients, and Theatres
Weekly operational planning and performance review forums were embedded, enabling data-driven decision-making and faster resolution of issues
Management coaching supported frontline leaders in applying improvement tools and sustaining changes
These interventions were implemented collaboratively with clinical and operational teams, respecting existing pressures while enabling measurable progress
Results:
Within months, Chesterfield Royal Hospital achieved a 19% improvement in imaging productivity and saved £350,000 by reducing dependency on outsourced diagnostic services. The Trust also saw a 20% reduction in wasted outpatient appointment slots, significantly boosting clinical productivity and patient access without increasing headcount. In Theatres, better planning improved utilisation and flow, enhancing surgical efficiency.
This transformation not only delivered tangible cost savings but also strengthened Chesterfield’s capacity to meet patient needs in-house — creating a more responsive, patient-focused model of care delivery.
