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Productivity Boost initiative

Every year, HSE Spark receives applications from frontline workers seeking support for projects and initiatives that have specific efficiency and productivity goals for improvement and innovation efforts.

We invite you to apply for funding assistance through the Productivity Boost initiative. This is a unique opportunity to improve the efficiency and quality of our healthcare services.

Healthcare and frontline workers are ideally placed to identify areas of practice that could be delivered as effectively, or more effectively, through:

  • changes in ways of working
  • more efficient practices
  • automated processes
  • more streamlined services

Our program is experienced in nurturing innovative ideas that lead to improved patient experience, and patient care.

Productivity Boost initiative information booklet (PDF, 550 KB, 4 pages)

This page provides you with information on the following:

About the Quadruple Aim framework

The Quadruple Aim framework focuses on 4 key goals:

  • improving patient experience
  • improving patient outcomes
  • reducing the cost of care
  • improving the experience of healthcare providers

These goals help us measure the value and impact of proposed projects.

Quadruple Aim and productivity

By aligning productivity goals with the Quadruple Aim, we can ensure that initiatives not only boost efficiency and productivity, but also provide comprehensive improvements across our healthcare system.

The HSE Spark Programme is currently accepting applications for funding that meet these criteria through the Productivity Boost initiative.

How much funding is available?

Funding will be allocated in 3 funding categories:

  • Category A: €5,000 - €20,000
  • Category B: €20,000 - €50,000
  • Category C: €50,000+

Project and initiative types being sought

This funding call is open to projects that will have an impact on the productivity markers listed below. Applicants must demonstrate how their project or initiative will have a significant impact on one or more of the following markers:

1. Improving patient experience

Productivity markers:

  • Optimised patient flow
  • Increased patient satisfaction
  • Reduced length of stay
  • Receiving care closer to home

Example potential project areas:

  • Streamlining processes to improve quality and speed of care
  • Reducing waiting times and facilitating earlier access to care
  • Reducing prolonged hospital stays or length of stay
  • Implementing technologies for scheduling, DNA avoidance, rostering*
  • Inclusion/access supports for vulnerable populations

2. Improving patient outcomes

Productivity markers:

  • Reducing re-admission rates
  • Adherence to treatment protocols
  • Improved clinical outcomes for chronic conditions
  • Increased numbers of prevention or screening initiatives

Example potential project areas:

  • Reducing re-admission rates by improving follow-up care and discharge planning
  • Enhancing community care input to avoid patient deterioration and subsequent acute hospital admission.
  • Improving compliance with treatment guidelines and adherence to clinical advice.
  • Enabling metric tracking to optimise management of chronic diseases (for example, blood pressure monitoring in hypertensive patients*)

3. Reducing the cost of care

Productivity markers:

  • Reducing Cost per Patient Contact
  • Reducing Waste of Resources or Materials
  • Implementing Integrated or Transitional Care Measures
  • Process Optimisation

Example potential project areas:

  • Improving the allocation and utility of equipment, consumables, and other resources
  • Eliminating unnecessary or ineffective investigations or medications
  • Delivering monitoring/diagnostics/treatments outside of acute settings (for example, telehealth or remote monitoring*)
  • Enabling admission diversion
  • Initiating Early Intervention
  • Transitioning from traditional admission to day case management

4. Improving the experience of healthcare providers

Productivity markers:

  • Increasing time spent on direct patient care versus administrative tasks
  • Increasing rates of advanced practice
  • Improving staff engagement rates

Example potential projects areas:

  • Reducing the administrative burden to allow more time for patient care
  • Introducing time-saving technologies* (for example, voice recognition for documentation)
  • Leveraging ‘advanced practice’ approaches to provide effective care (such as Advanced Nurse Practitioner managed clinics or Advanced Practice Health and Social Care Professions delivered clinics)

*Note: Projects that involve digital technologies or digital integration will need to be aligned with local and national ehealth and digital strategies.

Who can apply

The Productivity Boost initiative is open to all healthcare staff across the HSE and Section 38 organisations.

How to apply

Closes midnight on Wednesday 28 August 2024

Apply online

Webinar

Thursday 8 August 12.30pm to 1.15pm.

Productivity Boost initiative - lunchtime webinar sign up form

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for the Productivity Boost initiative if I am not a clinician?

This funding call is intended to support clinical innovators. However, Spark also recognises that projects can emerge from any part of the health service and it is likely that successful projects will be the product of multidisciplinary teams that may include non-clinical members. The primary applicant must be a clinician but teams may be made up of clinical and non-clinical members.

Are digital health projects eligible for funding?

Yes, digital health projects are eligible for funding. However, eligibility is contingent upon alignment with the national digital strategy. Applications for digital health initiatives must clearly demonstrate how they contribute to and compliment the overarching goals and priorities of the HSE Digital Roadmap (PDF, 2.8 MB, 37 pages)

Am I eligible to apply for the Productivity Boost initiative?

Anyone employed by the HSE or in the voluntary hospitals (Section 38) can apply. We are currently unable to accept applications from Section 39 organisations.

Will the funds be sent directly to me?

No, the funds will not be sent directly to you. The funds will be transferred to your organisation (or lead organisation in collaborative projects) from the HSE Spark Innovation Programme.

Can equipment be purchased with the Productivity Boost initiative?

Yes, equipment can be purchased that will facilitate your innovation project. However, all equipment purchased must be compliant with regulations under legislation and where required must have CE approval. Additionally, all purchasing must be completed in line with National Financial Regulations document B-1 Procurement.

Can staffing be covered with the funding?

Projects seeking funding for a personnel resource must be associated with a novel or innovative position or service offering. Applications for WTE to support existing services will not be accepted. Funding is available to cover the costs of human resources to implement the project. For example, engaging with a designer, engineer or project lead to assist with an aspect of the implementation of the project. Projects that require an ongoing staff resource may also be included in the application to the Productivity Boost initiative, however, the application must outline the plans for the sustainability of the project beyond the funding period. Please note hiring of staff is subject to HSE recruitment instructions at the time.

Queries

Contact our initiative coordinator at spark@hse.ie (put ‘Productivity Boost initiative’ in the subject line).

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