Over the past two years the healthcare industry has experienced a transformation in many areas. Despite significant advancements in medical care, obstacles and challenges have emerged alongside them.
As a supplier to the industry, we are always keeping tabs on all aspects of healthcare. Here’s our take on what challenges the healthcare industry faces this year.
An Ageing & Diverse Workforce
A look into the demographics of the NHS workforce reveal imbalance and age gaps between staff members. The NHS has a disproportionate number of older staff of which 30,000 retire each year.
The NHS Annual Inclusion Report 2021-22 reports that just under 80% of its staff members are aged 46-60, with 8% aged 61-65. The statistics highlight the dire need for new starters under the age of 30.
As well as this, social responsibility challenges the NHS and healthcare providers to look at the stratification of its workforce in terms of age, gender, disability, and ethnicity.
Consequently, the NHS aims to reshape its workforce, pledging to improve staff diversity by 2025. The NHS have endorsed targets which will help to increase staff of all minorities and aim to reduce an ageing sector.
Rising Inflation
The aftermath of COVID-19, the task of clearing the NHS’s backlog, and improving services has become an ever-increasingly difficult task due to the current economy and rising inflation.
A key question faced by healthcare providers is how they can improve care, whilst ensuring value for money and keeping up with the rising cost of living.
It has been predicted that NHS day-to-day spending will increase by an average of 3.6% over the next three years, a catastrophic statistic which will only apply more budgetary pressure to an overstretched organisation.
The introduction of the Health and Social Care Levy will attempt to provide additional funding for this sector. It will also place a new cap on care costs and wider improvements to the social care system. Hopefully, the industry will start to see positive developments as a result of the legislation.
Technological Advancements
A digital transformation in healthcare is also here, a process which has been accelerated by the recent pandemic.
Numerous core services have become digitalised, with a growing number of patients seeking treatment for minor ailments through remote video calls with their GPs.
However, facilitating the utilisation of these new advancements into service delivery is a task which requires staff members to have a greater understanding of how the technology works. This is only adding to staff shortages.
In June 2022, the government published a policy paper titled ‘Data Saves Lives’. It aims to feasibly implement new technology that will save NHS spending and create a smoother integration process for staff.
Overall, technological advancements should not be underestimated. They will fundamentally change the way staff work, requiring them work in new ways or in entirely new roles.
How can Andway Help Healthcare Providers?
With our Healthcare in Hand initiative and Experience Level Agreement, Andway can help you improve as a healthcare provider.
Providing cost control, a reliable and responsive service to all of our customers, we will partner with you to ensure you are given personalised and unrivalled assistance in your Care Home.