New AI tech aims to dampen NHS staffing crisis

A leading social care provider has claimed a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, that monitors staff to identify those likely to hand in their notice, could be used to alleviate the NHS staffing crisis.

Cera, Europe’s largest provider of digital-first home healthcare, states the technology, which monitors a vast amount of employee information including shift patterns, managerial relationships, issues with pay, utilisation rates and the availability of development opportunities, aims to prevent 15% of potential leavers from heading elsewhere.

CEO and Co-Founder of Cera Dr Ben Maruthappu said: ‘Retaining those currently in the sector is often overlooked, as priorities remain to attract new staff. 

‘Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to help predict staff turnover will allow healthcare teams to spend more time doing what they do best – care – resulting in a better experience for patients.’ 

According to a report published by UK Parliament, 68% of NHS trusts reported a severe impact from staff leaving the sector for positions in hospitality and retail. 

In addition to help retain staff in healthcare, the AI technology to monitor employee information and behaviour saw a large boost over the pandemic as companies sought to maintain control whilst staff worked from home.

The controversial technology has continued to expand across many sectors with its use being adapted in a variety of ways despite a group of MPs and peers calling for greater legislation on the issues in 2021. 

Cera, which is launching the technology this month in a number of locations around the UK including Scotland, the East and North East of England, Essex and London, says that reducing staffing turnover will lead to greater care as ‘evidence suggests that better continuity of care results in lower hospitalisation rates.’ 

It is predicted that the technology could reduce the number of care workers leaving the NHS by 50,000 a year by allowing management to make changes to working practices with an aim of addressing factors where workers may not be satisfied. 

Healthcare has seen a range of technological advancements in recent years as companies seek to address various crisis facing the NHS, including the launch of a ‘helper bot’ at a Milton Keynes University Hospital which is being used to transport medicine between departments.

Photo by Nathan Dumlao