Harnessing AI to Transform Clinical Demand and Capacity Planning
In a healthcare system where every second counts, understanding and predicting clinician demand has never been more critical. At Alder Hey Innovation, our AI team is building a groundbreaking tool designed to do exactly that—empowering services to deliver care sooner, smarter and more efficiently.
The Challenge of Meeting Growing Demand
Across the NHS, rising referral rates and mounting backlogs are putting extraordinary pressure on clinical teams. Nowhere is this more pronounced than in paediatric neurology, where timely access to specialists can dramatically alter the trajectory of a young person’s life. Yet, despite the urgent need, there has been no scalable, data-driven way to anticipate workforce needs and respond in real time—until now.
An Intelligent Approach to Capacity Planning
Our AI-driven demand and capacity project is reshaping how we understand clinical workload. By analysing total full-time equivalents (FTEs) against ongoing backlogs, the tool provides a real-time snapshot of capacity pressures. This not only highlights current service strain but also reveals hidden inefficiencies and underused capacity that can be reallocated.
While currently under development in neurology, the system is designed to be fully transferable across specialties, setting the foundation for a hospital-wide transformation in resource planning.
What’s Next: Simulation Meets Strategy
The next phase is a powerful simulation model that will allow decision-makers to model the impact of workforce changes, such as adding new clinicians or managing vacancies, on demand and waiting lists. This will allow teams to plan for future scenarios, optimise staffing, and ultimately improve access to care for children and young people.
Shaping the Future of Paediatric Care
In a constantly evolving health service, this project offers more than just operational insight—it provides a strategic lens into future planning. As the AI model continues to develop, its integration into workforce management could be pivotal in ensuring that care delivery keeps pace with the needs of the population.