Making savings is crucial to organisations across the public sector, at iNetwork we are committed to sharing best practice and innovative strategies in order to support our members in making cost savings. On the 8th July iNetwork hosted a highly insightful event discussing “Making Savings in the Public Sector”.
We were joined by five highly credible speakers: Benjamin Taylor, Managing Partner at RedQuadrant, Laurence Allen, Director at Engage Process, Tracey Nation Category Manager – FM, Property and Business Services at the NHS North of England Commercial Procurement Collaborative, Eleanor Ryles, Engagement Manager at the Digital Care Hub, and Zakki Ghauri from the City of London Corporation.
Here are some of the prevalent themes that emerged from our speakers:
One major theme was the opportunity for digital transformation. Eleanor presented the potential benefits of technology and AI within the care sector. A case study was shared about a recent development of AI within Shropshire Council, a technology care device named ‘Genie Connect’ has proved to empower care receivers to build independence, reducing the hours of care workers and optimising time savings.
Another significant cost saving strategy was the need for interoperability of systems and data sharing. Zakki emphasised the benefits of having a single data use platform, including better data sharing and the valuable opportunity to gain more powerful insights within data sets.
Optimising procurement has also proved to be a contributing factor for making savings. Zakki explained that by collectively procuring laptops, a single contract resulting in economies of scale has helped reduce costs. Benjamin further echoed this by reducing duplicates of services and matching capacity and contact points to demand, 5-10% of savings can be generated from optimising procurement.
As technology and AI advance, it is also vital the digital skills of our workforce develop simultaneously. Eleanor provided an overview of two useful tools from the Digital Care Hub in assessing digital capabilities within social care: ‘What Good Looks Like’ self assessment tool which assesses areas of capabilities and best practice with digital technology at an organisational perspective, and the ‘Digital Skills’ self assessment for individuals to assess their digital knowledge and skills, this proves as an insightful benchmarking tool within the public sector.
Laurence from Engage Process emphasised how process management is fundamental when generating cost savings. He explained that process management is the foundation for providing an overview of the organisation, followed by providing insights and tangible actions. By having process management at the centre of an organisation, there is synergy across teams and projects, ensuring adaptability and efficiency when delivering projects, resulting in cost savings. Furthermore, Laurence explained how engaging employees within transformation work aids people driven change, by creating a consistent culture results in processes remaining in place.
Tracey provided an insight into how collaborative projects have generated savings across multiple NHS trusts. Tracey presented an overview of the Language Services Framework that is available to use by the public sector; the framework offers a flexible and compliant solution that addresses customer needs for local/niche service providers. Since the framework launch, Tracey stated how the North of England Collective Procurement Collaborative has supported three collaborative awards, comprising eighteen trusts in total. This has resulted in better project outcomes, long term relationships being built, improved efficiency and innovative solutions.
Benjamin wrapped up the session by emphasising the importance of getting high quality data right first, and then the integration of AI to make some transformative savings second. Making powerful data-driven decisions and automating tasks could be revolutionary for organisations.
If you have any further questions or wish to get involved in any of our upcoming events, please contact our Stakeholder Engagement Manager for the Transforming & Innovating Public Services programme, Sarah Day.