If you want to improve patient flow, you need to reframe your patient flow data.
If you don't reframe your data, you'll only be able to mitigate patient flow. You'll continue to look at the 'here-and-now' patient flow metrics that prevent you from discovering the cause-and-effect connections between the different parts of the unscheduled care system. And you'll be depriving staff of the data they need to generate the ideas and solutions that will improve patient flow.
Reframing your data is not technically difficult, but your data analysts probably lack the detailed knowledge to know how to do it themselves.
Reframing means that you'll see the potential of 'there-and-then' data in addition to the 'here-and-now' data you already use. Reframing means that yoou'll see 'How full?' and 'How long?' metrics as often as you already see 'How many?' metrics. Reframing means seeing the relationships between the silos as well as what's happening within each silo. Reframing means that everyone gets the chance to see all the metrics, not just their own metrics.
I have a suite of training courses that (a) show analysts how to reframe the data and (b) show managers and clinicians how to interpret and act on the reframed data.
I've been training NHS analysts, managers and clinicians in how to analyse and understand data for 18 years. I was an NHS analyst. I carry out data analysis consultancy for NHS clients. I've gained my knowledge of Patient Flow by having hundreds of data-informed conversations with managers and clinicians who work in Unscheduled Care. I know the lie of the land.
My one-day course Flow_ology provides a full overview of my reframing approach. Phone me or email me to find out more.
[23 March 2026]