Investment Appraisal - Most machines and equipments are sold on the basis of their cost effectiveness but it is our experience that this is almost always not true.  There are often some manpower savings when machines are introduced but these are usually offset by equipment and reagent costs.  MACHINE LEASING CAN BE PARTICULARLY EXPENSIVE Traditional equipment evaluation techniques focus on scientific elements.  ASB Management Services are expert in identifying the true cost of processes and can provide the evaluation necessary to produce a complete analysis.  Managers are therefore fully prepared to make appropriate investment decisions.  This will reduce overhead costs.
	Accurate production measures - Detailed measures support manpower planning on a section by section basis to make optimum use of resources.
	Standardizing methods - Opportunities exist to standardize on best practice by referencing methodologies used in different laboratories.  Measures include reference to quality outcomes to enable clear definition of product/service.
	Performance monitoring - Information about key elements can be produced on a regular basis to provide a catalyst for improvement to the performance of a section or laboratory.  Performance factors will also provide useful information about the relationship between resources and outputs and will therefore assist with strategic business planning. ASB Management Services are expert in designing monitoring systems for all types of business.    ASB Management Services has a working relationship with the Public Health Laboratory Service and will only work with other laboratories with approval from the PHLS .

TRACK RECORD

ASB Management Services has been working in PHLS laboratories on a regional basis.  References from senior management can be produced if necessary. 

STERILE SERVICES

ASB Management provide SSD Support for the whole NHS

ASB Management Services has a long history of providing support for Sterile Services in the NHS.   We aim to be the leading specialists for contracted in work study and quality system services.   

Warwick Hospital is our Flagship Site

ASB Management Services has supported this site for twelve years and helped it to become the premier sterile services unit in the West Midlands.  The HSDU at Warwick is fully compliant with the EC directive for marketing products, works with ISO 9002 to promote product integrity plus customer satisfaction and operates ASB production planning methodologies to maintain high levels of efficiency.  We helped this unit increase its output by 50% in two years bringing in valuable income from the private sector and other NHS work. 

Fig. Checking and wrapping trays in the clean room at Warwick Hospital

Features of the Service Include:

	National database of production measures.  Our information, in conjunction with our related methodologies, will enable all aspects of production to be precisely measured and costed.
	Cost effective package for in-house implementation of our costing methodology.
	Five years experience in quality system implementation of ISO 9000 and the medical devices directive EEC/93/42.  A support package tailored to meet any level of available resource.
	Many years experience implementing incentive payment systems and performance agreements.  ASB Management Services is a leading agency in the development of innovative performance payment systems.

 

MEDICAL SECRETARY WORK LOAD PLANNING

Medical secretary resources are essential but costly.  Their work loads are often considered for review but their work is diverse in nature and the measurement of their duties is always more difficult than it first appears.

Several attempts have been made to produce a measurement based system to assist with work load planning but the information held is not always up to date or easy to apply by none work study trained staff.

Working for the National Performance Advisory Group, ASB Management Services carried out research in a selection of NHS Trusts and produced a methodology for use by health service managers.  A formula has been prepared which enables each type of medical secretary duty to be valued against appropriate variable work load factors.    

Key Benefits

	Quality of outcomes. Sensible distribution of resources will enable all secretaries to achieve quality outcomes with the resource allocated.
	Cost effectiveness.  Resources can be allocated according to the needs of the activity generated rather than according to the medical staff supported.
	Ongoing flexibility.  Allocation of resources can easily be kept under review to account for changes of clinical requirement - increased/reduced activity in a specialty for example.

Implementation

Guidance notes on the use of the system are available from the NPAG at a cost of £75.
  
Workshop seminars are held periodically -  see below for details of next workshop section.  The purpose of the workshop is to instruct users on the application of the system including some practical case work to give delegates practice in the measurement technique and producing calculations.  Attendance at a workshop can be booked at a cost of £150 per delegate.  This includes a copy of guidance notes, refreshments and transfers to/from Birmingham International airport (available for up to three delegates on workshops held in West Midlands only).

A workshop can be arranged on site at any one Trust for a cost of £600 plus travelling expenses for the workshop co-ordinator.  Any number of delegates can attend from the host Trust.  Three copies of the guidance notes will be issued plus a disk copy.  

A discount is available and travelling expenses can be shared if a Trust wants to host a group workshop for itself and up to two other Trusts.  Details of discounts on application.

Assistance is available to produce the analysis on site on a consultancy basis if requested.  Details on application. 

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NEW - NETWORK EVENTS - See below  

Click here to go to Networking Event News

WORKSHOP DATE

The next workshop for Medical Secretary Work Load Planning has not yet been scheduled..  Precise date and venue to be arranged.         

For more information or to book a place on a workshop contact Becky or Sally at NPAG headquarters.  The number is 01245 544600 or email  thames@clara.net.  

For details of how to get an on-site workshop in your Trust contact Andrew Simmons at ASB Management Services using one of the methods below.

NETWORKING EVENT

There are now many users of the popular system for planning medical secretary work loads.  So, as an additional service the NPAG has arranged a series of network conferences.  These are informal but informative events for practitioners of the system to develop their skills and network with their colleagues.  They will be facilitated by Walter Linkhorn and/or Andrew Simmons.

The aim of the conferences will be:

	Delegates to share experiences of medical secretary work load planning.
	Explore related topics through discussion - eg. skills, personnel issues.
	Refresher session available for analysis tool application.
	Andrew will share his latest experiences in his use of the system.
	Introducing Microsoft Access application for analysis and development of solutions.

Dates for the next event have yet to be decided

Contact Becky or Sally at NPAG headquarters for information.  The number is 01245 544600 or email  thames@clara.net.  

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Send mail to office@asbmanagement.f9.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: February 11, 2004