Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System

The Customer

Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System (BSOL ICS) is one of the largest ICSs in the UK, serving a diverse and socioeconomically challenged population. The system includes five NHS Trusts, each committed to delivering high-quality care.

However, with one of the largest healthcare footprints in the UK, BSOL ICS faces significant financial pressures, balancing the delivery of care with a need for financial efficiency. Life expectancy in the most deprived areas of Solihull is considerably lower than in affluent areas, and Birmingham has the highest infant mortality rate among local authorities in the UK. Tackling these inequalities requires both clinical excellence and smart resource management.

The Challenge

Fragmented systems and poor visibility

In recent years, BSOL ICS’s procurement team faced a critical issue: the inability to have single view of both Order and Invoice data across the ICS and the lack of confidence in the accuracy of their spend data. This made it challenging to identify savings opportunities.

There was no clear link between workplans and spend, leaving them guessing as to whether savings targets had been achieved. This gap, coupled with manual processes and reliance on Excel spreadsheets for workplanning, created inefficiencies and increased the potential for errors. The team needed a solution that provided visibility across the system along with more robust controls and audit.

We had no single view of spend across the ICS

Why AdviseInc

A trusted partner with innovative analytical solutions

BSOL ICS had already built a strong relationship with Adviselnc through a number of collaborative projects, so it was natural to turn to them for support in addressing these challenges. Adviselnc’s deep understanding of NHS procurement and their expertise in data management made them the ideal partner to develop a tailored solution. From the outset, Adviselnc worked closely with BSOL ICS to scope, design, and implement a bespoke workplan tool that addressed their specific needs. Adviselnc’s collaborative approach ensured buy-in from the procurement team, and their comprehensive training ensured that staff were confident using the new system from day one.

The Solution

Over £400k in savings through Adviselnc

Within the workplan tool, BSOL ICS can track opportunities identified in Adviselnc’s Platform Plus service. In 23/24, over £430k was delivered, with a similar number already identified in the first 6 months of this financial year. Proving a significant Rol using Adviselnc’s analytics service.

Looking ahead, BSOL ICS is eager to further integrate the workplan tool into Adviselnc’s Platform to gain a holistic view of both workplans and spend data. This level of insight will empower the team to make smarter, more informed decisions and ensure that financial targets are met without compromising on the quality of patient care.

The RoI makes AdviseInc a no brainer

The Conclusion

Adviselnc has been instrumental in transforming BSOL ICS’s approach to procurement and planning. The bespoke workplan tool has provided the team with unprecedented visibility and control over their projects, reducing inefficiencies and driving substantial savings.

With the ability to match workplans to actual spend data and track performance against savings targets in development, BSOL ICS is wellpositioned to meet its ambitious financial goals while continuing to deliver high-quality care to one of the most socio-economically challenged regions in the UK.

The partnership with Adviseinc continues to evolve, with both organisations working together to explore new ways to unlock efficiencies, improve data accuracy, and ultimately empower BSOL ICS to make smarter, data-driven decisions that benefit both the system and its patients.

Adviselnc is instrumental in ensuring the BSOL ICS has one version of the truth; managing Procurement & Supply Chain across 6 different financial systems was extremely challenging. With the introduction of Adviselnc, this has allowed the IcS to have one data portal that has generated substantial bottom line savings, also providing quality data for our category managers to create & implement category strategies that benefit patient outcomes whilst improving on our financial challenges.

Simon Clarke, Managing Director