Infix national theatre scheduling tool to be rolled out across Scotland

The Scottish government has announced the rollout of a national theatre scheduling tool across NHS boards in Scotland. Developed by Infix, the tool aims to reduce hospital waiting times and enhance operating theatre efficiency. Following a successful pilot in NHS Forth Valley and NHS Lothian, the automated NHS theatre scheduling system increased efficiency by 25% without requiring additional staff or theatres. With an estimated yearly cost savings of £1.8 million, the platform is set to improve productivity, eliminate paper processes, and streamline the creation and approval of theatre lists. A £1.2 million investment will facilitate the software rollout, aligning with the government’s focus on digital and technology-driven services for health and social care. Health Secretary Neil Gray highlighted the technology’s capacity to schedule 1.5 million procedures annually, leading to increased productivity and reduced waiting lists. The implementation and delivery of the theatre scheduling software are expected to commence in summer 2024, following vendor evaluation and selection. Although the ‘Cloud First’ digital health strategy was delayed due to budget reviews, the government remains committed to leveraging innovative tools to address healthcare challenges.