Improving Patient Throughput to Increase Healthcare Productivity and Cut Waiting Times

Summary

A well-designed healthcare system should not keep patients waiting extensively for appointments, consultations or treatment.

The practice of operations management offers the promise that systems can be improved. Healthcare in the UK presents considerable challenges from an operations management perspective particularly regarding coordination and flow.

Add in that many facets of healthcare must deal with considerable and sometimes unpredictable variability, and the operations management challenge looks even harder.

The NHS Confederation recognized in 2025 that increasing productivity will be vital if the NHS is going to bring down waiting lists over the long term.

NHS backlog data analysis by the British Medical Association in 2025 concluded that long waiting times are, in part, due to poor patient flow.

Against this there is a rising demand for health services with healthcare systems already stressed with labour shortages, capacity issues, and cost pressures.

Demand is principally, but not solely, caused by an ageing population who are living longer in poorer health, often with frailty, multiple long-term conditions and complex co-morbidities rising.

It has long been recognised that productivity improvements in healthcare will be contingent on established services being delivered more efficiently. This is at the heart of operations management as a discipline.

There are several themes that this PHD research will explore with regard to healthcare productivity: the importance of operational variables, the impact of volume, routing patients through healthcare systems, quality control, and managing the improvement process.

This research will focus on the UK NHS. It is anticipated that a mixed methodology will be employed incorporating action research with qualitative research.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 70%

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)

This scholarship will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £21,000* (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum is also available.

To be eligible for these scholarships, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a UK National, or

• Have settled status, or

• Have pre-settled status, or

• Have indefinite leave to remain or enter, or

• be an Irish National

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

*Part time PhD scholarships may be available, based on 0.5 of the full time rate, and will require a six year registration period