Robotics Process Automation (RPA) - game-changing technology
RPA has the potential to be game-changing technology, improving productivity and increasing process efficiency and satisfaction. At the NHSBSA we are on a journey to understand how and where to introduce RPA to best effect, beginning with ESR - our first RPA pilot.
Since October 2020 NHSBSA’s new RPA “bot” has processed over 31,000 items previously handled by the ESR Systems Integration Team, allowing them to focus on more complicated requests and to provide advice and support to User Organisations.
Robotics Process Automation (RPA) which mimics human interactions, inputs and decisions by automating the repetitive, manual tasks performed by staff, is now reaping significant benefits for the ESR Systems Integration Team. For example, the “bot” is now: -
- Adding/removing URPs from user accounts
- Suppressing P45s and/or terminating assignments
- Adding/updating appraisals
- Adding/updating supervisors
- Updating ESR hierarchy
The introduction of unattended “bots”, operating 24/7, has so far reduced processing time from 62 to 13 days, saving time and resource, and resulting in a faster turnaround for requests.
The impact on the ESR Systems Integration Team workload has highlighted that there could be many areas of work across the wider NHS which could benefit from RPA. With your help we would like to gather information to help us look at the potential of expanding a centrally run robotics offering beyond NHSBSA services to NHS ESR users, dealing with repetitive manual processes that are time consuming and costly.
Please contact your ESR Regional Functional Account Manager if you have suggestions for how you could get the most from ESR using RPA.
If you want to have a more general discussion about RPA and how it could benefit your organisation, contact:
Ivan Barber, NHSBSA RPA Programme/Project Manager Ivan.Barber@nhs.net, 07769 742 508.