Case studies

 

 Hobs On-Site Ltd and Central Manchester Hospitals PFI Project Case Study

 

Printing capacity more than doubled and year-on-year cost savings achieved for major NHS Trust Hospital

 
Background

Hobs On-Site were appointed by the consortium that had been awarded the PFI contract for Central Manchester & Manchester Children’s (CMMHC) Hospitals NHS Trust, to develop a print management system and supply on-site reprographics facilities both during the construction phase of the expansion project, and afterwards with the continued operation of the print facility.

 Hobs On-Site faced a number of challenges on the project, from initial physical installation of the facilities to achieving cost efficiencies and service level improvements. The key tasks included the complete relocation of the existing printing department, minimum disruption to production during the transition from in-house to outsourced reprographics services and an overall increase in capacity/efficiency. A complete situation analysis was undertaken and a wide range of factors taken into consideration before developing a bespoke, 3 phased solution.

 
Phase 1: Relocation and Installation of Temporary Print Room Facilities.

During construction, the Printing department had to be moved from its original location and a temporary accommodation set up. Hobs resolved this major logistical situation by having a professional two-story temporary office custom made and then lifted over a 5 storey building into position. A purpose built corridor linking the main hospital and the new printing facility was then assembled and put into place by the Hobs team, allowing easy access for all staff and departments. Throughout this phase all reprographic needs were covered by Hobs local bureaux, ensuring continuity and eliminating the risk of disruption to service.

 
Phase 2: Equipment Update and Team Building

Once the new accommodation was in place, old analogue equipment was replaced with state-of-the-art, multi-functional digital colour and black & white devices, creating an immediate impact on speed, quality, performance and efficiency. Copy capacity, for example, was dramatically improved from 6000 impressions an hour to 12,480 impressions an hour – over double their previous capacity! As well as bringing in their own team, Hobs also retained the original staff from the old print room and provided them with a complete training and familiarisation programme. In this way, Hobs were able to maintain morale and benefit from established relationships and staff knowledge of the hospital and its central utilities.

Phase 3: Software Systems and New Skills Development.

To compliment the new equipment and facilities, Hobs installed a series of cutting edge software packages, increasing the scope and quality of work able to be produced in-house. This combination proved so successful that Hobs brought on board an in-house designer; work that was previously outsourced could now be designed, printed and finished in-house. The department had become more efficient than ever before with a faster turnaround, increase in output, expansion of capabilities and subsequent lowering of costs. As a further benefit, Hobs co-ordinated the corporate branding of in-house literature, advised on licensing issues and assisted in the design and rollout of new imagery and brand development, giving a more corporate “feel” to the information provided.In addition to the technology upgrade, there were major improvements in production capacity and increase in core skills.

Benefits at a glance
  • A bespoke, flexible and complete solution.
  • Access to the latest technology without costly investment.
  • Back-up support from the nationwide network of Hobs Reprographics bureaux, eliminating disruption during the transitional period.
  • Efficiency levels significantly improved and capabilities expanded.
  • Printing capacity more than doubled from previous levels.
  • Expertise in reprographics and design applied to other areas with excellent return on investment. 

    One further problem that the printing department faced was the internal distribution of the printed matter throughout the four hospitals covered by the print facility. Traditionally, they had relied on taxis to deliver to the various hospitals. Hobs have brought this under the remit of the facility, and we now have not only the delivery vehicle on site, but the driver also – the result being greatly improved internal distribution