In the complex landscape of healthcare administration, one major challenge NHS Trusts face is gathering data for the annual Estates Returns Information Collection (ERIC) report – especially as analysing data from the various departments and units becomes key to meeting looming zero carbon goals. Highlighting the hurdles that NHS Trusts encounter in ERIC reporting and related sustainability endeavours, Nicholas Hughes, senior manager of Healthcare at MRI Software, examines technology’s ‘pivotal role’ in overcoming these challenges
Capturing all the data necessary for the annual ERIC report can be daunting, and sometimes painful, for those in each NHS Trust charged with the task, due to the dispersed nature of the information required – which is normally scattered across different parts of the organisation. Yet having accurate data is crucial for assessing a Trust’s current state and planning for the future, providing an essential reference point. Many healthcare organisations – and especially those operating across numerous buildings and properties – struggle to gather the information they need to fully understand when, where, and how they use energy, space, and other resources. On top of that, as healthcare organisations strive to meet sustainability targets and navigate the road to zero carbon, the need for accurate data becomes more pressing than ever.
Reporting poses a significant challenge for NHS Trusts, with information scattered across various departments and systems. The process of gathering data for ERIC is labour-intensive and time-consuming for many Trusts, often requiring extensive manual effort to compile and validate the information. The annual nature of ERIC reporting means that by the time the data is published, it may already be outdated, limiting its usefulness for informed decision-making.
One of the primary obstacles stems from the decentralised nature of data sources within NHS Trusts. Vital information pertaining to energy usage, space management, and financial expenditure, is often siloed across disparate departments and systems, hindering the seamless capture and flow of data. In addition, the annual ERIC timeline – typically between March and June – exacerbates these challenges, creating a time-sensitive crunch to compile and submit the requisite data. The protracted process of data aggregation and validation can lead to delays and inaccuracies. In a dynamic healthcare landscape, where data-driven insights increasingly drive decisions, such delays can impede NHS Trusts’ ability to make accurate strategic decisions.
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