*SUBSCRIPTION NOW OPEN FOR 2022*
The National Pathology Benchmarking Programme began at Keele University in 1994, and moved into The Benchmarking Partnership at the start of 2018. It has subsequently been completely re-built from the ground-up to deliver essential performance data to NHS laboratories in a way which will enable them to:
-o Gain access to essential workload, staffing and cost efficiency data using an advanced peer grouping methodology based on size, complexity and service delivery model to provide relevant and meaningful comparison
-o Provide independently verified evidence of your performance successes to your stakeholders and senior management teams
-o Gain a clear understanding of the key factors impacting on your overall cost efficiency, including those which cannot be changed or influenced
-o Identify areas where further cost efficiency improvements could be made
-o Take the first steps towards understanding where your best demand optimisation and workload re-profiling opportunities might exist
-o Access detailed staffing and skill mix data as a crucial tool to aid your workforce planning strategies
The programme is completely confidential (we do not share your identifiable data with anybody - all data are aggregated with a range of statistics for your peer groups), and subscription is available to all NHS pathology providers in the UK. Whilst we collect data based on the most recent financial year, our systems are now built as such that your can submit data at any point of the process. We currently have data for just over 100 NHS pathology providers in our system, which provides a robust data pool in which we can find relevant and comparable peers group within each discipline for your laboratory.
The process includes multiple opportunities to review and amend your data using full draft reports, which will allow you to see your data in context and more easily identify any potential errors in your data. Final reports are only issued once you've signed off your data, and will only be sent to the nominated contacts you have provided within your organisation. We don't share your reports with anybody else, so you can be assured your data can be used internally as a genuine resource for identifying your strengths and potential opportunities.
You can find out more by downloading our latest information leaflet and a full (anonymised) sample report below. We have also provided a sample copy of the questionnaire so that you can assess the potential data collection requirements - whilst remembering that support and guidance are available from our team throughout the process.
If you have any questions about the programme, or would like an informal chat about how it could be of benefit to your organisation, please contact us on enquiries@thebenchmarkingpartnership.com
For further information on the way the data are presented and analysed, what the process involves, and details around the contents of the reports and the potential benefits to your organisation, please download our latest information leaflet. Please note that in-house workshop presentations are also available at the end of the process for those who wish to further engage with and better understand their data.
In order to provide the best possible indication of the types of information you would receive back from the programme, we have made a full anonymised sample report available for download. We have selected Clinical Biochemistry for the example, which is representative of the reports which are produced for all five disciplines (in addition to a sixth report for Combined Blood Sciences).
We understand that data collection requires time and resource to complete, which is why the current programme keeps the data collection to the absolute minimum possible to still deliver maximum value in the reports. We are of course also on hand throughout the process to offer support and guidance. The 2019/20 Chemistry questionnaire is available for download to allow you to assess the data collection requirements. Other disciplines have their own dedicated questionnaire in a similar format.
Our latest subscription form is available for those who have decided to enrol their organisation into the programme. Please download and complete the form, and return it to us by email. You're also most welcome to contact us prior to subscribing for any advice, guidance, and assistance on what the process involves.