Weeknotes 2023-04-17

This post is delayed, and shorter than normal. Reflecting on why that is, it's clear that in the ebb and flow of the weeks, this one was a tricky one. After a few weeks of what felt like a lot of optimism and preparation, this week didn't deliver the hoped-for sense of satisfaction. The to-dos came almost as quickly as I could write them down...

Incoming questions

A lot of incoming questions this week. All good ones, which is a sign that we're working with a team that is thinking differently. Also mostly new ones, which as any analyst knows means the start of a lot of scoping, and a lot of unknowns. Data is rarely simple enough to be able to get from start to finish in one push. The reality of a lot of new projects to open, competing for time with existing work, is something that I find I need to be mentally prepared for. This week I wasn't, which is why I found it tough.

Data warehouse

One bright spot in the week was a short but extremely productive meeting with the data warehouse team, who are going to be injesting the first batch of maternity data into the trust's main data warehouse. Until now, this fairly nuanced and specialised dataset has always sat separately, but I'm starting the process to bring it into the main server. Good discussion on table formats, and the testing and user-acceptance process. We might have data within 2 weeks!

Specialised service commissioning

Another interesting session was joining an externally led meeting about specialised service commissioning. Our division has more than our fair share of services that are considered "specialised", and how we measure activity through them is increasingly important in the context of what seems to be a widespread shortage of money. I found it a useful introduction to some more very complex parts of how the NHS is commissioned and paid for, and will no doubt be building on this through the year.

Anyway, time to go - I need to finish writing that to-do list!