Meet Waheed

How long have you worked at St Oswald’s Hospice?  

I’ve been working at St Oswald’s Hospice for the last 6 months.  

What is your role?  

I’m a Business Intelligence Analyst at a Hospice. In simple terms, I create reports that help our team understand important information, like how we’re doing and where we can improve. I use tools like Power BI to turn data into easy-to-read visuals, and I also set up automations to reduce repetitive tasks, making things run more smoothly without extra manual work. I help make sure we have the right info to make good decisions and save time on daily tasks.  

What does a typical day look like for you?  

A typical day for me involves working with data – I usually start by gathering and analysing it, turning it into easy-to-understand visuals. I manage help desk tickets that come in, handle requests for new reports or changes, and work on change management. In addition, I spend time automating manual tasks using tools like “Microsoft Power Automate” to save time and streamline processes.  

Some days involve meetings with teams to understand their needs, troubleshoot issues, or find new ways to use data for improving hospice care. No two days are the same, but it’s always about making things run more smoothly and efficiently. Ryan and I work closely as a team, with Ryan, given his extensive experience, primarily focusing on clinical reporting projects, while I mostly handle non-clinical reporting projects.  

In what ways does the data you provide help in making decisions for both patient care and the day-to-day running of the hospice?  

The data provided by the BI team helps the hospice with tracking key metrics like referrals, adverse events, and patient outcomes, ensuring we meet required standards. It also supports the functioning of the hospice by identifying trends and helping manage patient flow and care quality.   In terms of daily operations, data supports projects like Treecycle and the retail dashboard. For Treecycle, data analysis was used to automate donor checks, saving time and improving efficiency for the retail team. The developing retail dashboard will track KPIs such as average transaction value and shop performance, helping optimise staffing and resource allocation, and ensuring smooth operations.

What’s the most rewarding part of your work here at the hospice? Any particular moments that stand out?  

The most rewarding part of my work at the hospice is knowing that the insights I provide directly impact the quality of care and support patients receive. Since I’m still early in the role, there isn’t a particular moment that stands out at the moment. However, one exciting project we’ve recently kicked off is building a retail dashboard. 

The dashboard will track things like, average transaction value, selling value, a weekly analysis of Gift Aid and product price comparison – that’s just to name a few! It will help us understand opportunities within retail and improve overall performance across our different shops. I’m looking forward to seeing the impact the dashboard will have!” 

What new trends or innovations in BI do you think will have a big impact on hospice care in the future?  

I think AI and data literacy will have a big impact on hospice care in the future. AI can help predict patient needs, optimise resource allocation, and improve care quality through real-time insights. Increasing data literacy among staff will also be crucial, enabling them to better understand and use the data for decision-making, leading to more personalised and efficient patient care. Together, these trends can significantly enhance how hospices operate and deliver care.  

Could you describe Hospice care in three words? 
Compassionate, supportive, empathetic.