Background:
The North East-based NHS Foundation Trust was under pressure to improve the productivity and sustainability of its Children and Young People s Service (CYPS). The service had been facing operational inefficiencies, high reliance on agency staff, and inconsistent delivery models across teams. In response, the Trust partnered with Meridian to redesign services and build a future-proofed structure that aligned capacity with demand.
Analysis:
Over a 35-day review, Meridian assessed workflow processes, team structures, and existing management practices. The study highlighted major variations in service line productivity, gaps in workload planning, and a lack of visibility over operational performance. In many areas, inconsistent caseload management contributed to delays and reduced service throughput.
Implementation:
Working alongside executives, managers, and clinical leads, Meridian introduced a comprehensive change programme. This included structured workload planning tools, visibility dashboards, weekly review cycles, and a caseload cleansing initiative. Each team received guidance and coaching to help embed the new practices, with a particular focus on building capability at the local management level.
Results:
The programme delivered a 45% productivity improvement across the CYPS service lines and £3.6 million in annualised savings. Within just two weeks, the Trust was already saving £18.5K per week. These improvements enabled better matching of workforce to demand, reduced agency reliance, and created a more stable service environment. The project returned an impressive 10:1 ROI, illustrating the significant financial and operational value of structured change management.
